Renatta Signorini stories, Page 76
Jeannette approves $5,000 grants for city businesses
Supply chain issues have not been kind to siblings Jeremy Mock and Denise Ward as they push ahead with renovating a Jeannette property to open Glass City Cafe. But the new business got a $5,000 dose of kindness from Jeannette council on Tuesday to help with improvements of the Clay...
Greensburg man accused of fighting with sheriff’s deputies serving warrant to take him back to jail
A Greensburg man who was furloughed in March from the Westmoreland County Prison to get medical treatment is accused of fighting with sheriff’s deputies serving a warrant to take him back to jail, according to court papers. Steven R. Zastawniak, 33, is charged with escape, resisting arrest and aggravated assault...
Jeannette Community Band set to launch its 34th season
Live performances are back for members of the Jeannette Community Band, which will kick off its 34th season on Sunday after two years of cancellations because of the coronavirus pandemic. The 60-member band will play patriotic tunes and broadway and movie medleys, along with other songs, during its Memorial Day/spring...
Jeannette seeking applicants for vacant council seat
Jeannette is accepting letters of interest and resumes for an open seat on council after the May 13 death of Councilman Ron Smith. Submissions will be accepted until 4 p.m. June 3. Applicants must be at least 18 and a resident of the city for the past year. Council must...
Pa. Turnpike reopens between New Stanton and Breezewood after crash cleared
The Pennsylvania Turnpike reopened Monday afternoon following a lengthy closure in both directions between New Stanton and Breezewood because of an overturned tractor-trailer. The crash happened around 9 a.m. between the Somerset and Bedford exits, according to PennDOT. The road reopened at 2:30 p.m. after the wreckage was cleared. Some...
More than 16 tons of medication collected in Pa. during DEA Take Back Day
More than 16 tons of prescription medication were collected in Pennsylvania last month during the Drug Enforcement Administration’s National Prescription Drug Take Back Day. At 251 collection sites in the state, 32,848 pounds of unwanted, unused or expired medication was dropped off, according to agency statistics released Monday from the...
Monessen woman ordered to pay $66K in restitution in pandemic unemployment fraud case
A Monessen woman was sentenced to 18 months in a federal prison after, authorities said, she received $66,240 in fraudulent pandemic unemployment assistance. Amanda Fairfax, 37, was ordered to spend three years on supervised release after the prison term. Fairfax pleaded guilty in January to five counts of mail fraud....
Man shot in Derry Township accused of damaging $900 worth of property at suspect’s home
A man who was shot in Derry Township this week is accused of setting a fire at the home of the person state police believe pulled the trigger, according to court papers. Police said the fire damaged $900 worth of items. Troopers on Wednesday arrested Jonathan Thomas Corey, 39, of...
Boy, 15, charged with terroristic threats after Latrobe incident
A 15-year-old boy is being charged with terroristic threats after Latrobe police said he threatened another juvenile. A report about the incident was made to the department’s Greater Latrobe school resource officer and police said they seized “items of evidentiary value” during the investigation. There was no danger to school...
Court rejects John Lesko’s appeal in 1980 western Pa. ‘Kill for Thrill’ spree
One of the last appeals for Pennsylvania’s longest- serving death-row inmate has been denied. The U.S. Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit on Tuesday rejected 64-year-old John Lesko’s request for a new trial and sentencing hearing. He was convicted in the 1980 murder of Apollo police Officer Leonard Miller, 21,...
Court rejects John Lesko’s appeal in 1980 western Pa. ‘Kill for Thrill’ spree
One of the last appeals for Pennsylvania’s longest-serving death row inmate has been denied. The U.S. Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit on Tuesday rejected 64-year-old John Lesko’s request for a new trial and sentencing hearing. He was convicted in the 1980 murder of Apollo police Officer Leonard Miller,...
Judge won’t remove lawyer in federal gun case against suspect in Cassandra Gross disappearance
A judge on Wednesday refused to remove the attorney for a Unity man suspected in the 2018 disappearance of Cassandra Gross from his representation in an unrelated gun case. Instead, Chief U.S. District Judge Mark R. Hornak ordered that Komron Jon Maknoon continue working with Thomas G. Stanko, 51, in...
North Belle Vernon man accused of animal cruelty
A North Belle Vernon man is facing a preliminary hearing next month after humane officers reported finding his dog with several open wounds and a large tumor. Dan Karbowsky, whose age was not provided in court papers, was charged Tuesday with aggravated animal cruelty and neglect of animals. Officers with...
Jeannette man pleads guilty to homicide charge in 2019 shooting outside McKee Stadium
A Jeannette man entered a guilty plea Tuesday to third-degree homicide in connection with a 2019 fatal shooting outside McKee Stadium during the fourth quarter of a high school football game. Defense attorney Patrick Thomassey said entering the general plea was a difficult decision for Greg Harper, 43, to make....
Man hurt in Derry Township shooting; suspect arrested
A man shot outside a Derry Township home early Tuesday is expected to survive and the person accused of pulling the trigger was jailed, according to state police. Troopers said the suspect — Edward B. Hart, 57 — fired about a dozen rounds at the man at 2:30 a.m. after...
Giant gas pump, Packard replica on Route 30 reminders of bygone days
Gas was an average of 22 cents per gallon when gas pumps resembling the 21-foot-tall replica along Route 30 east between Latrobe and Ligonier were used in the 1940s. Now, tack on an additional $4 to that price and the 4,900-pound supersized structure is a reminder of bygone days. It...
North Huntingdon Army veteran receives Quilt of Valor for service in Germany
A North Huntingdon man was elated but humble Monday after receiving a Quilt of Valor recognizing his military service. “I just think there’s a lot more people that are deserving,” said Ron Ickes, 81, of Biddle. Sally Strait, a member of Norwin Quilters, presented Ickes, an Army veteran, with the...
Mammoth Park in Mt. Pleasant Township will host ‘Paws for Prevention Walk’ for dogs, owners
There will be plenty of fun for four-legged family members at a fundraiser Saturday at Mammoth Park. Organizer Sarah Opalinski said activities for dogs will be mixed in with community resources at Paws for Prevention Walk at the Mt. Pleasant Township park. The proceeds will benefit the Council on Substance...
Jeannette councilman Ron Smith, dead at 76, described as ‘true asset’ to city
Jeannette Councilman Ron Smith, a longtime high school football coach, died Friday after a battle with cancer. His two daughters remembered him as a “gentle giant” who was honest and fair, attributes Mayor Curtis Antoniak said spilled over into council chambers. Antoniak visited Smith, 76, Thursday before council’s regular monthly...
2 jailed in Trafford drug bust; police seize $81K from suspect
Two people are being held without bail after police said they found $6,000, four bricks of suspected heroin and a stolen gun at a Trafford apartment last month, according to court papers. Westmoreland County detectives and Penn Township police on Friday charged Gessica A. Merlin, 25, of Hempfield, and Damone...
Fallen Westmoreland County police officers recognized at park ceremony
The ultimate sacrifice of 27 law enforcement officers in Westmoreland County was recognized Thursday by their peers, families and friends. For Rosemarie Reed, it was especially welcome. “This means a lot to me,” she said. “Just knowing the fact that my husband is being recognized for his service.” St. Clair...
Woman accused of faking $12,300 application for Westmoreland rental assistance
An Allegheny County woman is accused of taking $12,300 from Westmoreland County’s emergency rental assistance program after, authorities said, she forged an application for a vacant New Kensington property, according to court papers. Melissa D. Brandt, 36, of Franklin Park is charged with theft, forgery, identity theft and receiving stolen...
‘Flame of Hope’ passes through Murrysville en route to Special Olympics
Law enforcement officers took to Route 22 on Wednesday morning, not looking for speeders but to carry a torch representing the Special Olympics. The Flame of Hope moved through Murrysville in advance of the Pennsylvania Summer Games at Penn State University starting June 2. Murrysville officers, who have been participating...
Jeannette public works foreman resigns
Jeannette council is set to accept the resignation of its foreman Thursday after six months on the job. Ed Cycak III started work with the city in November. He tendered his resignation April 27. “Working for the City of Jeannette has been a wonderful experience that has afforded me many...
Man accused of bribing troopers to ‘let him go free’ in Mt. Pleasant Township burglary
A man who authorities said broke into a Mt. Pleasant Township home Tuesday and slept in a bed tried to bribe troopers to let him go without arrest, according to state police. Christopher M. Sherrick, 35, is charged with burglary, criminal trespass, bribery and related offenses. He has addresses in...
