Renatta Signorini stories, Page 74
Greensburg state store temporarily closed
There is no timeline for the Fine Wine & Good Spirits store in Greensburg to reopen after its temporary closure in early August because of what state officials described as “potential safety concerns.” The building’s co-owner John Rause said Wednesday that he has contractors lined up to assess moisture issues...
Mt. Pleasant man facing more charges after another assault at county jail
A Mt. Pleasant man accused this week in an incident in a Westmoreland County courtroom was charged Wednesday with head-butting a second guard at the county jail in a month, according to court papers. Joe Paul Biller, 37, is facing aggravated and simple assault charges. He was being readied for...
Jeannette school district seeks new bids on former building site
Jeannette City School District is once again accepting bids for vacant property that previously held a school on South Fourth Street. Superintendent Matt Jones said directors approved a resolution Monday to seek bids for four contiguous parcels at the intersection of Cuyler and Chambers avenues and South Fourth Street. A...
Glass City Heritage Festival returns in Jeannette
Jeannette will celebrate its history as a glassmaking town during a festival Saturday on Clay Avenue. The Glass City Heritage Festival will shut down three blocks of the downtown business district’s main thoroughfare from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Carole Babish, president of the Jeannette Business Association, said there will...
Improvements eyed at Flight 93 memorial’s western overlook
Planning and fundraising for a new facet of the Flight 93 National Memorial is underway as nonprofit group plans to enhance the western overlook, the spot where families got their first glimpse of the Sept. 11, 2001 crash site. Friends of Flight 93 National Memorial executive director Donna Gibson said...
Mt. Pleasant man charged after incident in Westmoreland County courtroom
A man accused of incidents involving two nurses at the Westmoreland County Prison was charged Monday after a woman was injured when he “thrusted himself” at his attorney in a courtroom, according to court papers. Joe Paul Biller, 37, of Mt. Pleasant, is facing a charge of simple assault. Westmoreland...
State police seek help to find man last seen in Herminie
State police are looking for a man who was last seen in Herminie Sept. 7. Aaron D. Ross, 43, frequents the Jeannette area, according to information released Tuesday by troopers. He was last seen wearing a red/orange shirt, denim blue jeans and black sneakers. He stands 5 feet, 10 inches...
Mt. Pleasant man accused of another assault of nurse at jail
A man being held at the Westmoreland County Prison was arraigned Thursday for assaulting a nurse at the jail, the second accused incident in as many weeks involving a nurse, according to court papers. Joe Paul Biller, 37, of Mt. Pleasant is charged with aggravated assault and simple assault. County...
Landowners to receive $5.5M to settle suit over oil, gas rights in Fayette County
About 60 Fayette County landowners who signed leases for oil and gas rights 14 years ago will receive a combined $5.5 million in a settlement reached with a drilling company. The settlement calls for Chief Exploration and Development, now known as Cyprus Exploration and Development, to pay the landowners for...
Glassport man accused of selling guns stolen from North Huntingdon home
A Glassport man accused by police of selling several guns stolen from a North Huntingdon home was arraigned Wednesday on theft charges. John S. Hudak, 47, took photographs of the guns and communicated with potential buyers through Facebook messages, according to court papers. Police believe 13 handguns and long guns...
Pedestrian hurt after being hit on Route 982 in Derry Township
A woman was flown by medical helicopter Tuesday afternoon to a Pittsburgh hospital after apparently being hit by a vehicle in Derry Township, according to Bradenville Fire Chief Mark Piantine. The incident happened after 2:30 p.m. on Route 982 near a storage facility and cemetery, just before Industrial Boulevard. Piantine...
Gun found at Pittsburgh International checkpoint; no charges expected
Allegheny County Police said they do not expect to file charges against a 30-year-old Armstrong County man whose handgun was found in a duffel bag Wednesday at Pittsburgh International Airport. Police said Transportation Security Administration officers spotted the gun at the main security checkpoint at 3:30 a.m. Police determined that...
Former Fort Pitt Brewery in Jeannette recommended for demolition
The former Fort Pitt Brewery in Jeannette and seven other structures in the city were deemed public nuisances Tuesday and recommended for demolition. It was a formality for the crumbling multibuilding brewery complex in West Jeannette that has been acquired by the Westmoreland County Land Bank in preparation for redevelopment....
Hempfield woman told police she was going to sell 40 bricks of heroin to raise cash for son’s attorney
A Hempfield woman told police she bought 40 bricks of heroin to earn money and was going to sell the drugs to pay for her son’s defense attorney, according to court papers. Misty D. Giron, 46, was arrested last week on drug charges. She is accused of talking with her...
Westmoreland sheriff warns new round of scam calls are posing as department
Westmoreland County Sheriff James Albert is warning residents that more scam calls are apparently making the rounds claiming to be originating from his department. In the latest one, the caller identifies themselves as “Officer Chris Hawkins” from the sheriff’s department calling from 724-484-6211, he said. It has been reported that...
Hard work pays off: Jeannette couple enjoys new Habitat for Humanity home
It was a big day for Liz Blazowich and her fiancee Alan Beech. The Jeannette couple officially took ownership Monday of their new house thanks to Central Westmoreland Habitat for Humanity. And they immediately started moving in while mixed breed dog Luna enjoyed checking out her new place. “It’s still...
Hempfield man in clown wig carrying loaded gun arrested at Delmont Dairy Queen
Three loaded handguns and 62 rounds of ammunition were seized from a Hempfield man Saturday after Delmont police said he took one of the weapons into the Route 66 Dairy Queen. Officers were responding to the area about 1:30 p.m. after a motorist reported an erratic driver wearing a bright...
Herminie man accused of witness intimidation
A Herminie man is accused of intimidating a witness during a July revocation hearing in a 2021 case against him, according to court papers. Michael Wichelmann, 59, was denied bond during his arraignment Friday. Westmoreland County detectives said several witnesses were subpoenaed for a July 7 revocation hearing for Wichelmann...
Jeannette’s new curfew ordinance goes into effect Sept. 18
Jeannette’s new curfew ordinance will be enforceable starting Sept. 18 after council updated fines Thursday, solicitor Tim Witt said. The update passed unanimously. The city’s revised curfew ordinance carries fines ranging from $25 to $300 for violations. The fines could be assessed to a minor or parent. The ordinance, which...
About $1M worth of suspected cocaine seized in turnpike traffic stop in Mt. Pleasant Township
A man who police said took a cross-country flight was found Thursday with 26 pounds of suspected cocaine during a traffic stop on the Pennsylvania Turnpike in Westmoreland County, according to court papers. The cocaine would have an street value of about $1 million, according to Trooper Steve Limani. Troopers...
Employees hold man accused in robbery at Jeannette beer distributor until police arrive
Two employees of a Jeannette beer distributor on Thursday stopped a robbery suspect who fled the store with $219 until police could arrive, according to court papers. One of the employees chased Martell A. Crosby, 27, of Jeannette into the parking lot and pulled him to the ground while the...
Jeannette firefighters may administer naloxone to overdose victims
Jeannette firefighters have a new tool in their arsenal to help save lives — naloxone. Fire Chief Bill Frye said a program being undertaken by the department allows firefighters to carry and administer the drug that can reverse opioid overdoses. Each truck will have at least two doses. “We’re always...
Former Westmoreland prison guard charged in August assault at jail
A former Westmoreland County Prison guard was arrested Thursday on police accusations that he opened a cell door and permitted two men housed there to attack a third, according to court papers. County detectives said Brian J. Prinkey, 25, of Connellsville was seen on surveillance video walking away from a...
New Kensington man, former Arnold shooting suspect charged in jailhouse assault
A New Kensington man and a man acquitted of a shooting in Arnold face charges in what authorities say was a planned jailhouse assault. A former guard at the Westmoreland County Prison was fired and also faces charges in the incident. According to county detectives, the attack occurred last month...
Derry man jailed after police chase
A Derry man remained at the Indiana County Jail after state police said he led them on a chase on Route 22 in Indiana County last week. Johnathon A. Checca, 33, is charged with fleeing from police and 28 summary traffic violations, including driving without a license. Troopers said they...
