Renatta Signorini stories, Page 89
Hempfield man sentenced to federal prison for meth trafficking
A Hempfield man will spend up to 10 years in a federal prison for his role in a methamphetamine trafficking conspiracy, according to court records. In addition to the prison term, a federal judge on Wednesday also ordered Zachary Miller, 28, to forfeit five guns. He will spend five years...
Declining workforce amid pandemic cited as Westmoreland County’s top issue
Westmoreland County commissioners on Wednesday acknowledged the hard work needed locally to build up the declining workforce, a problem that has been exacerbated by the coronavirus pandemic. “The challenge has recently come front and center and is identified as the No. 1 issue businesses face and this pandemic has only...
Police locate missing 11-year-old boy in North Huntingdon
An 11-year-old boy was found Wednesday morning after police said he went missing in North Huntingdon. Township police and firefighters searched for about two hours before locating the child around 9:45 a.m., according to police. Authorities focused their search in the area of Caroline Drive and Carpenter Lane where the...
Hempfield man accused in Jeannette break-in, attack on woman
A Hempfield man released from federal prison in May posted $25,000 bail Tuesday after police said he broke into a Jeannette home and attacked a woman, according to court papers. The woman was taken to a hospital for treatment of a broken finger and lip laceration, police said. Tristin B....
Man jailed in 110 mph police chase in Latrobe, Unity
An Indiana County man is behind bars after a police chase on Route 30 that reached 110 mph, according to court papers. Thomas David Beener, 52, of White Township, told Latrobe police that he had “smoked a bunch of meth” and was taken to Excela Health Latrobe Hospital for an...
Dormont man jailed after police said he fled North Huntingdon drug bust
A Dormont man is being held in the Westmoreland County Prison without bail after North Huntingdon police said he fled a September drug bust. Linere Cosby, 25, is charged with possession with intent to deliver, escape, criminal use of a communication facility and a drug offense. Township police said they...
Pa. state police seize $72 million in illegal drugs in 2021
Cocaine’s comeback made a big leap in 2021, with Pennsylvania State Police confiscating nearly 1,000 pounds of the illegal drug. The 986 pounds seized by troopers last year, valued at $21.7 million, was more than the combined amount in 2020 (300 pounds) and 2019 (425 pounds.) In all, state police...
3 minor injuries reported after car crashes into Murrysville home
Three people had minor injuries after a car crashed into a home Sunday morning, according to Pat O’Mahony, fire chief of Murrysville Volunteer Fire Company No. 1. The crash happened at 7:45 a.m. on Pleasant Valley Road. O’Mahony said the driver of a Buick LaCrosse reported falling asleep before leaving...
Winter storm to bring nearly a foot of snow to parts of Western Pennsylvania
Parts of Western Pennsylvania could see nearly a foot of snow in a winter storm getting underway Sunday afternoon and state officials urged citizens to stay home. Meteorologist Lee Hendricks at the National Weather Service in Moon said Sunday morning that the storm’s track shifted a bit and parts of...
Lawrenceville shooting sends 1 to hospital
A man was hospitalized Sunday after Pittsburgh Police said he was shot three times in Lawrenceville. Officers were called to Butler Street at about 12:20 a.m. and found him with gunshot wounds to the legs and abdomen. He was taken to a hospital in stable condition. Police said it appears...
1 hurt in Downtown shooting
A man was hospitalized late Saturday after he was shot in the leg, Pittsburgh Police said. Officers were called to a business on Sixth Street just before 10 p.m., where one person was arrested. Police said the shooting is believed to be the result of a fight. The man was...
ACLU report: Black defendants frequently assigned higher bail amounts than whites
District judges in Pennsylvania, including the 16 in Westmoreland County, imposed cash bail more frequently and in higher amounts for Black defendants in 2016 and 2017, according to a report from the American Civil Liberties Union. Common Pleas Court President Judge Rita Hathaway said she doesn’t think the color of...
Fast-moving fire damages Youngwood homeVideo
A fast-moving fire appears to have started on the back porch of a Youngwood home Saturday afternoon, according to Fire Chief Lloyd Crago. “It’s probably going to be a total loss,” he said. No injuries were reported. Firefighters were called to the blaze on South Seventh Street at 1:30 p.m....
There’s actually plenty of life in the winter, as traipse through Murrysville nature reserve shows
The woods can be full of life in the wintertime — you just have to know how to find it. It can be a good time to hunt for seeds or locate wild plants, said herbalist Lindsey Praksti. Finding what you’re looking for can be a challenge, though. “At that...
Homeless man freed on unsecured bail arrested 2nd time in 3 days in New Stanton
A homeless man who was freed on unsecured bail in a trespassing arrest earlier in the week is back behind bars after state police said he failed to pay for a room at a New Stanton hotel. David W. Rundle, 35, was arrested Friday on charges of criminal trespass, theft...
1 hospitalized after shooting in Clairton
A woman was hospitalized early Saturday after being shot in Clairton, according to Allegheny County Police. The shooting was reported just before 2:30 a.m. on Reed Street. The woman is expected to survive, police said. Evidence of the shooting was recovered at the scene. Anyone with information is asked to...
Jeannette officials ready to start American Rescue Plan allocations
Another American Rescue Plan funding expenditure could be up for a vote by Jeannette council later this month, and the city could begin allocating its $900,000 as final rules regarding spending recently were released. Solicitor Tim Witt asked council to approve setting aside $130,000 for the repair of a manhole...
Jeannette officials eye doubling fines for quality-of-life violations
The cost of quality-of-life violations in Jeannette could double, depending on how city council votes later this month. A motion to increase the fines from $25 to $50 could be on the Jan. 25 agenda after Fire Chief Bill Frye said $25 wasn’t enough. “It was barely covering costs” to...
Unity woman’s angel food cake snags red ribbon at Pa. Farm Show
A Greater Latrobe teacher brought home a second-place award from the Pennsylvania Farm Show this week with a specialty that has been a mainstay in her family — angel food cake. Abigail Mehalic, 36, of Unity said she picked up the light and fluffy dessert after her father would make...
Jeannette reports to be added to city’s website, but council balks at broadcasts of meetings
Jeannette officials plan to increase government transparency by adding reports to the city’s website, but a councilwoman’s bid to have public meetings broadcast by video was met with disinterest. City clerk Nathan Bish said he plans to begin adding communications received by the city and reports from department heads to...
Hempfield woman accused of leaving dog, cat behind in abandoned home
A Hempfield woman is accused of leaving a dog and cat in an abandoned home, according to court papers. Michele Ann Kelly, 36, was charged this week with two counts of animal cruelty. Troopers said they were notified Nov. 12 by a home health nurse working in a neighborhood off...
Belle Vernon woman charged after police say she removed Rostraver fatal shooting weapon from home
The girlfriend of a Belle Vernon man accused in a fatal New Year’s Day road rage shooting turned herself in Monday after police said they spotted her removing a pistol from their home, according to court papers. Shaquala L. Poole, 29, is charged with hindering apprehension or prosecution, tampering with...
After devastating fire, Norvelt community helps 6-year-old celebrate Christmas
The excitement of Christmas came once again to Isaiah Olson, 6, after a devastating house fire last week in Norvelt. Fire department volunteer Mary Hontz said presents that had been donated by the community were taken to the boy Sunday afternoon by fire trucks and Santa Claus. The department solicited...
Police: Pet camera leads to suspect in burglary of Hempfield home that later burned down; family searches for missing dog
State police arrested a man they said was recorded on a pet camera minutes before a fire destroyed a Hempfield home and injured two firefighters, according to court papers. Randy W. Bryner, 58, of Greensburg, is charged with burglary and criminal trespass. No charges related to the Jan. 2 fire...
Hempfield man accused by police of pushing woman out of moving SUV
A Hempfield man is awaiting a preliminary hearing after police said he pushed a woman out of a moving SUV in Southwest Greensburg, according to court papers. Adam Wade Pellis, 39, was arrested Thursday on charges of aggravated assault, simple assault, disorderly conduct and harassment. Southwest Greensburg Borough police said...
