Renatta Signorini stories, Page 73
‘A complete miracle’: 20th anniversary of the Quecreek Mine rescueVideo
John Unger promised his wife that if something bad ever happened on his job in the coal mine, he’d find a way to survive. For 29 years, he kept that promise, always returning to the rural, century-old Somerset County home where they raised a family and tended to their cattle....
North Huntingdon woman charged with animal cruelty after blind, thirsty pugs found in condemned home, police say
A North Huntingdon woman is charged with animal cruelty after police said two dogs were rescued from her home, which was condemned Tuesday. Both of the pugs are permanently blind because of eye infections and they were suffering from complications related to water deprivation, lack of veterinary care and living...
Morgan Wallen’s Burgettstown show sold out; fans asked to carpool, arrive early
Fans of country musician Morgan Wallen are being asked to arrive early or consider carpooling for Thursday’s sold-out show at The Pavilion at Star Lake near Burgettstown. Fans must have tickets to enter parking lots, which open at 3 p.m. Early entry parking opens at 1 p.m. The show is...
McKees Rocks police ask residents to be aware of surroundings after armed robbery
McKees Rocks police are asking residents to be aware of their surroundings after a male suspect held a citizen at gunpoint and stole several items from their home. Officers posted on the department’s Facebook page about the Wednesday evening incident and encouraged residents to keep an eye out for things...
Federal judge unswayed by Unity man’s gun possession claim, sentences him to federal prison
A Unity man was sentenced Wednesday to seven years and three months in federal prison in a gun case, and the judge rejected claims that the defendant was unaware he was prohibited from having the weapons because of past felony convictions. “(Thomas G. Stanko) acted consistently with somebody who knew...
Police say Beechview man filmed teen girl in fitting room at South Hills Village
A Beechview man is accused by Bethel Park police of filming a 14-year-old girl trying on clothing in a fitting room at a store inside South Hills Village, according to a criminal complaint. Police said they found the 30-second video of the girl on a cellphone belonging to Miguel M....
Greensburg police officer charged after reported domestic violence incident
A Greensburg police officer was arrested Friday in connection with a reported domestic violence incident at his home, according to court papers. Kenneth J. Burke, 35, is charged with strangulation, harassment and simple assault. He works as a handler for police dog, Ace. A woman who has known Burke for...
SWAT incident ends with no injuries in Hill District
Members of the Pittsburgh Police SWAT helped a woman escape late Monday from a Hill District home, where a man was threatening to hurt himself, according to public information officers. The man surrendered to police negotiators shortly after. Police said they were called to the Cherokee Street home around 10:15...
2 hurt in Sheraden shooting, including 10-year-old
A 10-year-old boy was injured Monday night after a bullet struck him while he was inside a house in Pittsburgh’s Sheraden neighborhood, according to police. Officers responding to Zephyr Avenue around 9:30 p.m. said they used a tourniquet on the boy’s arm and he was taken to a hospital in...
Pitcairn man seriously hurt in Somerset County crash
A Pitcairn man was seriously hurt when state police said the motorized scooter he was driving in Somerset County overturned. Andy D. McHenry, 35, was driving the scooter at 6:20 p.m. Thursday on Montague Road in Addison Township when it hit an embankment while McHenry was trying to navigate around...
Scottdale woman pleads guilty to role in fatal overdose
A Scottdale woman who admitted to her involvement in a 2019 fatal drug overdose in Greensburg said in court Friday that she has turned her life around since a police detective showed up at her door. “I’m very sorry this whole thing happened and I hope other people can learn...
Man convicted in I-70 crash that injured Good Samaritans on Belle Vernon-Speers Bridge
A Washington County man was convicted Friday of aggravated assault by vehicle and related charges in connection with a crash on the Belle Vernon-Speers Bridge that seriously injured two good Samaritans. Brian D. Keegan, 20, of California will face sentencing in about 30 days after Judge Christopher Feliciani found him...
Jeannette’s curfew ordinance update put on hold as officials fine-tune it
Jeannette officials are reworking a proposed update of a curfew ordinance to take into consideration a reduction of fine amounts, among other issues, according to solicitor Tim Witt. The proposal was rejected this week with Councilwomen Robin Mozley and Michelle Langdon and Councilman Chad Krawtz casting the dissenting votes. “It’s...
Greensburg man will spend life behind bars for child rape
A Greensburg man will spend the rest of his life behind bars after a judge last week levied 22 consecutive sentences in connection with the rape of a 5-year-old child and recording videos of a woman engaged in sex acts with the boy. Charles Jason Hunter, 36, was sentenced to...
Shooting victim’s father attends East Huntingdon woman’s sentencing: ‘There will never be a true normal’
Some days, Robert Pristas chooses to believe his son Andrew is on vacation or busy with his two brothers. It helps him escape the reality that Andrew Pristas, 33, of Greensburg was fatally shot Sept. 20, 2020 by his ex-girlfriend at her East Huntingdon home. “There will never be a...
‘Blight monster’ brewery site in West Jeannette to be torn down
The former Fort Pitt Brewery in West Jeannette is slated to be acquired by the Westmoreland County Land Bank at a judicial sale next month. Brian Lawrence, director of the land bank and county Redevelopment Authority, said the buildings will be demolished, calling it a “unique opportunity” with American Rescue...
Jeannette eyes 6 properties for demolition
Six properties in Jeannette are slated for demolition as the city continues its fight against blight. Council unanimously accepted the lowest bid Thursday for the project from Lutterman Excavating of Greensburg for $62,000. Chief fiscal officer Ethan Keedy said the money will come from the city’s 2019 and 2020 Community...
Woman sentenced to probation in Irwin stabbing
An Irwin woman was ordered Thursday to spend two years on probation in connection with a stabbing earlier this year. Lori Jo Olsen, 53, pleaded guilty to a count of simple assault. An attempted homicide charge previously was withdrawn. She completed a drug and alcohol evaluation and is continuing mental...
Quecreek Mine rescue anniversary events begin Saturday
Several activities are planned starting this weekend leading up to the 20th anniversary of the Quecreek Mine rescue. The plans include a car cruise and celebrations at the Somerset County rescue site, among others. The events will commemorate the rescue of nine miners after they accidentally broke into an abandoned...
Underage curfew violators could face $1,000 penalty in Jeannette
Child scofflaws of Jeannette’s 11 p.m. curfew will be facing hefty penalties of up to $1,000 under a revamped proposed ordinance. Police have been having issues with children out late at night and Chief Donald Johnston and Mayor Curtis Antoniak said the update is needed to address the problem. The...
Greensburg man accused of sexual assault of boy
A Greensburg man is accused of sexually assaulting a boy twice in 2007 in exchange for Pokemon cards, according to court papers. Jared C. Painter, 33, was arrested Monday on charges of rape of a child, aggravated indecent assault of a child and indecent assault of a person younger than...
Judge orders forfeiture of 17 guns possessed by Unity man, suspect in disappearance
Seventeen guns belonging to a Unity man suspected in the 2018 disappearance of Cassandra Gross were ordered to be forfeited in an unrelated federal weapons case. Chief U.S. District Judge Mark R. Hornak on Monday granted a preliminary forfeiture order in the case against Thomas G. Stanko, 51. The order...
Signs on Route 30 in Ligonier Township mark spot Arthur St. Clair lived out his final days
The pair of historical markers might catch some glances as motorists whizz by on Route 30. But there’s no time to take in their significance on a small patch of land in Ligonier Township around a bend in the highway. A yellow and blue marker erected by the Pennsylvania Historical...
Course offering high school students insight on a career with state police expands to Westmoreland County
A new Pennsylvania State Police 14-week program for high school students is expanding into Westmoreland County this fall. Trooper Clint Long, who works in the recruiting services section, said the free program will help teens ages 15 to 18 understand the role of the agency and its troopers, as well...
Police: Texas trucker jailed after breaking into South Huntingdon horse barn, fighting with troopers
A state trooper was accidentally tased Saturday evening while attempting to arrest a Texas truck driver accused of trying to break into a South Huntingdon garage, according to court papers. Police said Simran P. Virk, 31, of San Antonio, was foaming at the mouth and had used synthetic marijuana and...
