Renatta Signorini stories, Page 81
N.J. man accused of posing as bail bondsman to take $5K from Hempfield woman
A Hempfield woman is out $5,000 after being tricked into believing her daughter was in legal trouble after a car crash, according to state police. The woman gave the cash to a New Jersey man who posed as a bail bondsman and visited her home Monday in the Midway neighborhood,...
Ready for Crumbl? Cookie chain set for grand opening in North Huntingdon
Get ready for posts featuring gourmet cookies to flood your social media feed. Crumbl Cookies, a fast-growing bakery sensation, is holding its grand opening today and Saturday in North Huntingdon. Owner Tammy Ornowski isn’t sure what to expect as far as turnout goes but said the news has been quickly...
State trooper based in Hempfield charged with harassment
A state trooper’s duties have been restricted after he was cited this week in connection with an incident at his Mt. Pleasant Township home. Michael S.J. Predajna, 37, is facing two counts of harassment. Citations filed by state police indicate that he slapped someone at his home at 2:10 a.m....
Troopers arrest Ohio man after finding 1 kilo of cocaine in his SUV on Pa. Turnpike
An Ohio man is behind bars after state police said they found 1 kilogram of cocaine hidden in the SUV he was driving Wednesday on the Pennsylvania Turnpike. Jose O. Pacheco-Diaz, 41, of Lorain — located about 30 miles west of Cleveland — is charged with drug and weapon violations....
Police still looking for red pickup that injured Latrobe woman in hit-and-run
State police are still looking for a red Dodge pickup truck involved in a hit-and-run nearly six weeks ago that left a Latrobe woman seriously injured. Trooper John Robertson Jr. testified Wednesday that he has asked the father of the man accused of driving it at the time of the...
Closures of I-70 west in Rostraver planned as emergency bridge repairs continue
Part of Interstate 70 in Rostraver will be closed two nights next week, as well as the following weekend, as crews continue emergency work to repair a bridge damaged by an over-height vehicle. The westbound side of the highway will be closed from 9 p.m. to 4 a.m. Tuesday and...
1 suspect in check theft, ‘washing’ scheme jailed; police still looking for 2nd in $10K case
A McKees Rocks man accused in a check “washing” scheme was jailed Tuesday. Bryan. A. McGraw, 30, was being held at the Westmoreland County Prison on $50,000 bail. State police announced last week they were searching for McGraw and Michael G. Machay, 35, of Butler, in connection with a check...
Jeannette officials aim to stop trespassers at crumbling former brewery
Notices discouraging anyone from entering the former Fort Pitt Brewery property in West Jeannette were put up last week after city officials received reports of trespassing, according to code enforcement officer Bill Whetzel. He said the city was notified that adults and children were inside the abandoned property and that...
Westmoreland County to expand mobile crisis unit for mental health emergencies
Westmoreland County is getting a $372,000 grant to expand its mobile crisis unit that responds to mental health emergencies as a “988” number expected to be rolled out this summer could lead to an increase in need. Westmoreland Community Action, which operates a local crisis hotline and unit with Westmoreland...
Unity man suspected in woman’s disappearance may part ways with attorney, court papers indicate
The attorney for a Unity man suspected in the 2018 disappearance of Cassandra Gross is seeking to be discharged from his unrelated federal gun case a month before sentencing. The move came after Thomas George Stanko, 51, wrote two letters this month to a federal judge, apparently citing his displeasure...
Time capsules at Westmoreland Intermediate Unit lock up items until 2072
Several hallmarks of 2022 were placed in a time capsule by Hempfield Area students for others to find in 50 years. Among them were a smartphone, a blank vaccine card, and gift cards to various stores and a movie theater that might not exist in five decades. Superintendent Tammy Wolicki...
2 killed in Fayette wrong-way crash
Two men were killed Sunday in a wrong-way crash in Fayette County, according to state police. Troopers were called to the crash on Route 40 near Morgantown Road in South Union Township at 12:45 a.m. Sunday. Police said a Ford Taurus that was driven by Dylan Healey, 25, of Carmichaels...
45 counterfeit $20s used at 2 Salem businesses, police say
The rash of counterfeit bills continues in Westmoreland County, this time in Salem at the Walmart and a Speedway gas station, according to state police. Troopers said two men were seen entering the Hollywood Boulevard store at 9:30 p.m. Saturday and used 41 counterfeit $20 bills to buy a Shark...
Police searching for 2 men in check theft, ‘washing’ scheme that netted $10K
State police are looking for two men who they believe stole a check from a mailbox belonging to a Ligonier accounting firm and used it to steal about $10,000 from Latrobe Municipal Authority. Michael G. Machay, 35, of Butler and Bryan A. McGraw, 30, of McKees Rocks are charged with...
Beaver woman sentenced to federal prison in $1 million tax embezzlement
A Beaver County woman was sentenced Tuesday to a year and a day in a federal prison for stealing more than $1 million in tax payments, according to federal prosecutors. Jeanne Bowser, 63, of Center, was ordered to spend three years on supervised release after the prison term. She pleaded...
Documentary about opioid addiction crisis to be screened in GreensburgVideo
A documentary film about the drug addiction crisis being screened Friday in Greensburg is relevant to the entire community, said Richard Jones, executive director of Sage’s Army. It’s “very short-sighted” to think addiction doesn’t affect Westmoreland County as a whole, he said. “The truth is this applies to all of...
Man arrested in theft of $8,200 bicycle from Greensburg shop
Several search warrants led Greensburg police to arrest a New York City man who they believe stole an $8,200 bicycle from a local shop, according to court papers. Joziha J. Clemens, 21, was arraigned Friday after being extradited to Westmoreland County. He was being held on $75,000 bail at the...
Man accused by police of stealing car from Bell driveway, setting it on fire after crashing it
A Kittanning man was arraigned Tuesday on state police accusations that he stole a car from a Bell home, crashed it and set the interior on fire, according to court papers. Robert James Booth, 29, is charged with reckless burning, theft, risking catastrophe and related offenses. Troopers said a Dodge...
Pittsburgh man sentenced to 12 years in federal prison for phone smuggling, bribery, drugs
A Pittsburgh man was sentenced Friday to 12 years in federal prison for working with an Indiana County Jail guard to smuggle cellphones into the lockup where he was being held on drug and weapons violations, according to prosecutors. Rashon Richardson, 31, pleaded guilty to charges of possession with intent...
‘You should be inclined to be skeptical’ police chief says about cash scam targeting elderly
The calls seemed so real. It played on their emotions — relatives were in jail and needed cash to post bond. But two Westmoreland County women were too wise and didn’t fall for the trick. Both received similar phone calls this week as state police warn residents of numerous reports...
Gas station outside Sam’s Club in Hempfield remains closed after crash damaged building
Repairs were underway Friday to a small building at a gas station outside Sam’s Club in Hempfield after a pickup truck slammed into it earlier this week. Hempfield Fire Department Deputy Chief John Storey said firefighters rescued a person who was inside the attendant building at the time of the...
Appeal denied for mother of man convicted in New Ken cop killing
An appeal was denied Thursday for the mother of a man on death row in the fatal shooting of a New Kensington police officer. The 2020 conviction of Sherry Holt, 51, of Pittsburgh on a hindering apprehension charge was upheld in state Superior Court. She is the mother of Rahmael...
Men charged in shooting outside Greensburg bar treated city street ‘like it was the O.K. Corral’
A 24-year-old man said he dropped his cane and tried to get to safety upon hearing gunshots as he left The Rialto bar in Greensburg last month but was struck by a bullet. William Piscar testified he was leaving the establishment at the intersection of West Otterman Street and North...
Volunteers sought to help clean up fire scene at Mt. Pleasant Township Christian camp retreat
The arduous task of cleaning up a maintenance building destroyed by fire at Laurelville Retreat Center will get underway Monday with the help of volunteers and heavy machinery. “It’ll definitely be messy, dirty work,” said Jeanette Lahm, director of the Mt. Pleasant Township Christian camp retreat. The center’s maintenance building...
Input sought from Jeannette business owners
Two Jeannette councilwomen are hoping to learn more about the needs of city businesses during a session next week. Councilwomen Robin Mozley and Michelle Langdon said the forum planned for 6 p.m. Monday at city hall will give business owners a chance to discuss how they are doing and what...
