Renatta Signorini stories, Page 78
Supporters of Trafford woman gather outside hearing in dog theft case
After her arrest last week on theft charges, an Armstrong County woman claimed she had no idea where to find the German shepherd she was pet sitting and accused of stealing from a Trafford woman. “In her words, ‘I don’t (expletive) know,’ ” Trafford police Officer Stephen Zubach testified Tuesday...
Hempfield man accused of pulling out loaded gun during domestic incident in Jeannette
A Jeannette police officer was hurt during a tense situation Sunday in which a man pulled out a loaded gun as authorities were investigating a domestic incident, according to court papers. City police were called to a South Fourth Street apartment around 3:30 p.m. to resolve a living situation between...
Hempfield man tried to take trooper’s Taser, police say
A Hempfield man grabbed at a state trooper’s Taser and tried reaching for a knife after police were called to a domestic situation Saturday at his home, according to court papers. Anthony T. Aliberti, 51, was being held at the Westmoreland County Prison on charges of aggravated assault, disarming a...
Greensburg man jailed in nephew’s fentanyl overdose death
A Greensburg man was jailed Saturday after city police said he provided a stamp bag of what he believed was heroin to his nephew, who was visiting from Ohio and had never tried the drug, according to court papers. Police said the stamp bag contained fentanyl, a deadly opioid that...
‘That was my last day,’ Quecreek miner says of rescue date after 30-year career
Ron Hileman’s last day underground as a coal miner was July 28, 2002. Being trapped 240 feet below the surface in Quecreek Mine for 77 hours with eight other miners was enough to make him retire. “That was my last day,” he said. Hileman, 69, of Gray, had spent almost...
‘A complete miracle’: The 20th anniversary of the Quecreek Mine rescue
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....
How rescuers saved the trapped Quecreek miners
Brad Hillegass had operated a crane plenty of times but never with the lives of nine men in the balance. That changed July 24, 2002, when nine miners were trapped 240 feet underground at the Quecreek Mine in Somerset County and his job was to safely lift them to freedom...
A Quecreek Timeline
A timeline of events surrounding the Quecreek mine rescue and beyond...
Mission accomplished: How rescuers saved the trapped Quecreek miners
Brad Hillegass had operated a crane plenty of times but never with the lives of nine men in the balance. That changed July 24, 2002, when nine miners were trapped 240 feet underground at the Quecreek Mine in Somerset County and his job was to safely lift them to freedom...
‘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...
