Renatta Signorini stories, Page 76
Western Pa. food trucks roll on despite inflation, supply shortages, gas hikes
While Ian Sayre enjoys connecting with patrons of his food truck at small events, he had to do away with attending them for now while increased grocery and gas prices cut into his profits. Sayre sees Tin Shack BBQ as offering quality food at working-class prices, but skyrocketing costs have...
Submerged pickup at Bridgeport Dam was stolen, police say, but details murky
A Chevrolet pickup truck that was pulled out of a reservoir at Bridgeport Dam earlier this month was reported stolen in 2004, according to Westmoreland County Park Police Chief Henry Fontana. But any other details about the theft remain a mystery. Fontana said police were able to get a VIN...
Men caught with hidden cellphones at Westmoreland County Prison
Two men are accused of having cellphones at Westmoreland County Prison, according to court papers. Leon D. Fair, 23, of Jeannette told authorities he sneaked his cellphone into the Hempfield jail Aug. 3 and used it to make calls to his family, to try to have bail posted and to...
2 motorcyclists seriously hurt in Indiana County crash
Two motorcyclists were seriously hurt in a crash Saturday in Indiana County, not far from the Westmoreland County border. State police said Bruce P. Kunkle, 59, of Saltsburg and Joseph Ross, 60, of New Alexandria were traveling north on Route 286 in Conemaugh Township at 1 p.m. when Kunkle’s hat...
Police: Wilkinsburg man attempted to tamper with Monessen fire truck
A Wilkinsburg man is in jail after Monessen police said he attempted to turn a valve on a fire truck during a fire call in the city Monday before he was tased by officers, according to court papers. Aleksandr Doroshkevich, 37, is charged with resisting arrest, obstructing emergency services and...
Police: Hostetter couple charged in ‘severe neglect’ case
Two people are set to be arraigned Monday after state police said two children were found to be suffering from severe neglect, with a 2-year-old girl unable to walk or stand on her own, according to court papers. Jordan S. Heidt, 27, and Heather M. Johnson, 31, both of Hostetter,...
Undercover state trooper nabs New Jersey man with $50K worth of fentanyl in New Stanton
A New Jersey man is accused of exchanging $50,000 worth of suspected fentanyl for cash with an undercover state trooper Thursday in New Stanton, according to court papers. Police said Leonardo A. Ramirez, 45, of Passaic, parked in a lot on West Byers Avenue at 8 p.m. and met with...
Youngstown man jailed on rape charges
A Youngstown man is charged with raping a female repeatedly during a nine-year period from 2012 to 2021. Lee Bowser, 59, was arrested this week on charges of rape, statutory sexual assault, corruption of minors and related offenses, according to court papers. State police troopers said the accuser told them...
Acme man already in jail after one police chase accused of fleeing stop in New Stanton as well
State police believe they’ve identified a man who fled a New Stanton traffic stop in June and he is accused of leading troopers on two separate chases on Interstate 70 within 24 hours, according to court papers. Seth G. Klingensmith, 26, of Acme, was arraigned Wednesday on charges of fleeing...
Firefighters called to blaze in East Huntingdon
Firefighters were called to the scene of a mobile home fire Thursday afternoon in East Huntingdon. The blaze was reported at 12:30 p.m. on Mt. Nebo Church Road, according to a Westmoreland 911 dispatch supervisor. The home is in a rural area between Scottdale and Alverton and not far from...
Pitcairn man involved in Salem crash died at hospital
A Pitcairn man died Thursday, a day after his car was rear-ended at the interchange of routes 66 and 22 in Salem, according to state police and the Allegheny County Medical Examiner’s Office. John Farally, 56, of Pitcairn was waiting at a stop light on Route 66 north at 6:30...
Greensburg woman charged with ethnic intimidation says 3 men were ‘acting up’
A Greensburg woman is facing charges after authorities said she sprayed three men with a pressure washer Sunday and then referred to them using a racial slur when she called police to report they were “acting up,” according to court papers. Brenda L. Wagner, 53, is charged with ethnic intimidation,...
1 seriously hurt in crash at interchange of routes 22, 66 in Salem
One person was critically injured in a crash Wednesday morning in Salem that snarled traffic for hours at the interchange of routes 66 and 22. The two-vehicle crash was reported at 6:30 a.m. on Route 66 under the bridge that carries Route 22 over the highway, Forbes Road Fire Chief...
Norvelt VFD’s Parking Lot Bash and Car Cruise set for Saturday
A fundraiser that started during the coronavirus pandemic has caught on for Norvelt Volunteer Fire Department. Firefighters opted in 2020 to forego an indoor fall purse bash for a Parking Lot Bash and Car Cruise, a decision which proved fruitful, according to Fire Chief Matt Zelenak. The outdoor option provided...
Jeannette approves new firefighters contract
Jeannette’s three paid firefighters have a new four-year contract on the books. The pact will go into effect January 2023 after the current four-year collective bargaining agreement inked in 2019 expires. Council approved the contract last week. Chief fiscal officer Ethan Keedy said the new agreement includes an hourly pay...
Jeannette council eases proposed fine for curfew violations
Fines for violations of Jeannette’s 11 p.m. curfew were reduced in a new version of a proposed ordinance approved by council last week. Solicitor Tim Witt said the updated proposal carries fines ranging from $25 to $300 for to curfew violations. The fines could be assessed to a minor or...
Indiana County man killed in farm tractor rollover
An Indiana County man was killed Sunday when a farm tractor rolled over, according to Coroner Jerry Overman. Charles D. Wise, 43, of Clymer, was using an International Harvester tractor to mow a field at a property off Deckers Point Road in East Mahoning Township at 12:15 p.m. The tractor...
71-year-old man found dead in Hempfield home after fire extinguished
A 71-year-old Hempfield man was found dead inside his home Monday after firefighters extinguished a blaze, according to the Westmoreland County coroner. Witnesses reported smoke and flames at the mobile home on Ferens Lane around 4:30 a.m., according to the coroner. Thomas H. Smith was found inside the home on...
16-year-old killed in Fayette County crash
A 16-year-old Connellsville boy was killed in a two-vehicle crash Saturday in Fayette County, not far from its border with Westmoreland County. State police did not identify the teen in a news release. He was a passenger in a Ford Mustang being driven by a 19-year-old Acme man, according to...
Hearing set for demolition of Fort Pitt Brewery in Jeannette
A demolition hearing will be held Sept. 13 for Jeannette officials to take testimony about whether the former Fort Pitt Brewery should be torn down or remain standing. Fire Chief Bill Frye said the hearing is a formality on the way to the ultimate goal of demolishing the crumbling multi-building...
Scottdale man found in North Huntingdon motel after removing ankle bracelet
A Scottdale man who was free on bail on drug and gun charges is accused of cutting off his electronic monitoring bracelet and hiding out in a North Huntingdon motel, according to court papers. Westmoreland County sheriff’s deputies tracked Donald M. Young, 46, over several days before apprehending him Friday....
Resource center set to open to help those with flood damage in Latrobe area
A resource center will be open for six hours Friday to provide assistance to victims of flooding in Unity Township and the surrounding areas. The center will be open from noon to 6 p.m. at the Westmoreland County Community College’s Latrobe campus at 130 Depot St. Attendees can learn about...
Authority mulls adding car charging stations at Arnold Palmer Regional Airport
The Westmoreland County Airport Authority is considering an agreement with Rostraver-based startup company Kilocharge to add electric vehicle charging stations at Arnold Palmer Regional Airport. Board members asked executive director Gabe Monzo to negotiate with the company after solicitor Daniel Hewitt detailed Kilocharge’s initial proposal. Hewitt said the company proposed...
Police: Derry woman charged after dog found dead in ‘extremely unsanitary’ basement
A Derry Borough woman was released from jail Tuesday on aggravated animal cruelty charges after police said they found a dog that had died of dehydration in her basement, according to court papers. Destiny F. Witherspoon, 25, posted $25,000 bail after being arrested and held at the Westmoreland County Prison...
Avonmore man accused of swinging a knife at neighbors, spitting on troopers
A neighbor was cut on her finger Sunday when state police said she disarmed an Avonmore man who was swinging a knife in the street, according to court papers. Richard W. O’Brien, 45, was being held without bail on charges of aggravated assault, reckless endangerment, simple assault and resisting arrest...
