Renatta Signorini stories, Page 82
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...
6th gun of 2022 seized at Pittsburgh International security checkpoint
A Florida man was being cited after Transportation Security Administration officers on Monday found a handgun and ammunition in his baggage at Pittsburgh International Airport. It was the sixth gun officers have found at a checkpoint there so far in 2022. Authorities said the gun was loaded and two additional...
Memorial set to honor Westmoreland officers killed in line of duty
Westmoreland County police officers killed in the line of duty since 1903 will be honored this week during a memorial event in Greensburg. District Attorney Nicole Ziccarelli said she hopes the event will become an annual tradition during National Police Week. “It is their willingness to protect and serve that...
Man hurt in Hempfield motorcycle crash
A Greensburg man was seriously hurt in a two-vehicle crash Thursday afternoon in Hempfield, according to state police. Troopers said Shan L. Good, 56, was driving a Harley-Davidson motorcycle on Swede Hill Road at 2:20 p.m. when it collided with a Honda Accord being driven by Sheila M. Rice, 78,...
Westmoreland teachers targeted by nationwide jury duty scam
A nationwide jury duty scam using the name of a fictitious sheriff’s deputy is targeting school teachers in Westmoreland County, according to state police. Scammers are using the name “Deputy Wayne Farley” — which has been linked to phone scams around the country — and calling a school district to...
Ligonier Valley Endowment provides grant for new decontamination system
Firefighters, police officers and ambulance personnel in Ligonier will be a little safer thanks to a new decontamination system purchased with a $10,000 gift from Ligonier Valley Endowment. The system will be shared by Ligonier Borough fire department, Ligonier Valley police and Mutual Aid’s borough station. Ambulance service director of...
No one reported hurt after shot fired during fight at McKee Stadium in Jeannette
No one was reported hurt when a shot was fired into the ground during an argument at Jeannette’s McKee Stadium on Saturday, according to Police Chief Donald Johnston Jr. Officers learned two men got into an argument at the Park Street stadium at 10:15 a.m. when one of them fired...
Man accused in 115 mph Hempfield chase didn’t have valid license, police say
A Fayette County man is accused of leading state police on a chase early Friday on Route 119 with speeds that surpassed 100 mph, according to court papers. Clarence Spackman, 33, of Bullskin, is being held at the Westmoreland County Prison on charges of fleeing from police, driving under the...
Jeannette man jailed in 11-hour standoff
A Jeannette man was being held without bail after an 11-hour standoff last week shut down a city neighborhood overnight. Jesse McCurdy, 49, was arraigned Wednesday on charges of risking catastrophe, prohibited possession of a firearm and defiant trespass. Westmoreland County sheriff’s deputies said they arrived at McCurdy’s Good Street...
2 charged after farm animals removed from deplorable conditions in Hempfield
Two people were arrested Thursday in connection with numerous neglected farm animals, some of which were dead, that were seized from a Hempfield property, according to court papers. Authorities said a veterinarian concluded most of the animals had pneumonia and a sheep found dead had a ruptured eye and suspected...
Hempfield family unhurt in what they describe as explosion that sounded ‘like a gunshot’
A Hempfield home was damaged Wednesday morning after an incident that its occupants described as sounding “like a gunshot,” according to homeowner David Elliott. Firefighters were called to Cree Drive in the township’s Fort Allen neighborhood around 8 a.m. and found the home’s windows had been pushed out of their...
State police seeking help in identifying 3 who tried to break into Mt. Pleasant Township home
State police investigating an attempted burglary in Mt. Pleasant Township are trying to identify a woman and two men who tried to break into a home. Investigators released a surveillance image Tuesday of a tan minivan in which the suspects fled. Trooper Steve Limani said the incident was concerning because...
Greensburg nuns invoke Native American prayer to renew peace garden
A peaceful spot at Sisters of Charity of Seton Hill’s Greensburg property was taken back to its Indigenous roots Saturday. The steady drumbeats and vocal calls transported dozens of sisters to the country’s Native American heritage. It was a way to recognize the land’s first inhabitants and, for Sister Edie...
Man shot in shoulder in Duquesne
A man was treated at a hospital and released Sunday after being shot in the shoulder in Duquesne, according to Allegheny County Police. Investigators said a shooting in the 1000 block of Duquesne Boulevard was reported around 2 a.m. to Allegheny County 911. The man was found with a shoulder...
Woman hurt in Clairton shooting
A woman was hospitalized Sunday after being shot in the stomach in Clairton, according to Allegheny County Police. Authorities said they were called to the 400 block of Saint Clair Avenue around 2 a.m. after the shooting was reported to Allegheny County 911. The wounded woman was in critical condition,...
1 hurt in Middle Hill shooting
A man was hurt Saturday night in a shooting in Pittsburgh’s Middle Hill neighborhood, according to city police. Officers said they found the man with multiple gunshot wounds in the 2100 block of Wylie Avenue after receiving a ShotSpotter alert at 10:40 p.m. The man, who was conscious and alert,...
