Renatta Signorini stories, Page 90
Home health aide accused by police of stealing $18K from Derry Township couple
A home health aide is accused of taking $18,000 from a Derry Township couple and gambling with some of the money, according to Westmoreland County detectives. Brittany Ann Cararini, 28, of Greensburg was arraigned Thursday on charges of theft, access device fraud and receiving stolen property. Detectives were notified in...
2 Pa. children found after police say biological parents took them from placement, fled state
Two children were found Thursday evening after state police said they were endangered when their biological parents removed them from a placement through Greene County Children and Youth Services. Trooper Forrest Allison said the children — ages 5 and 3 — were in the agency’s custody at a home placement...
Hempfield man accused by police of fathering child with 2nd 15-year-old girl
A man arrested last month on state police accusations that he fathered a child with a Hempfield teen was charged Wednesday in connection with a child born to a 15-year-old Connellsville girl in 2020, according to court papers. Tristin Michael Huffine, 21, of Hempfield remains in the Westmoreland County Prison....
Pa. authorities cracking down on unemployment benefits fraud, some reported in Westmoreland
State officials are examining the source of a reported increase in efforts to steal unemployment compensation benefits, which they are trying to thwart by adding a new process for identity verification. Department of Labor & Industry Secretary Jennifer Berrier said the agency is working with law enforcement to investigate and...
Former Jeannette councilwoman appointed as controller
Nancy Peters isn’t quite ready to leave Jeannette city government. After losing re-election for council, she opted to take another job at city hall — controller. Peters, 74, was the only person who submitted a resume and letter of interest for the post after the winner of a 30-way tie...
Jeannette police seek help to identify woman seen leaving home just before suspicious fire
Jeannette police are trying to identify a woman seen leaving a home on Magee Avenue over the weekend just before a fire there, according to Chief Donald Johnston Jr. The blaze was reported at 5:20 p.m. Saturday. Authorities said it is suspicious. Firefighters extinguished the flames quickly because someone spotted...
Hempfield home destroyed in blaze; 2 firefighters hurt
A Hempfield home was destroyed in a fire Sunday night and two firefighters were hurt, according to Township Fire Chief Anthony Kovacic. The blaze was reported on Farmington Place just before 8 p.m. When firefighters got there, flames were shooting through the roof and attempts to get inside with a...
Community cooperation helps police identify suspect in Rostraver fatal New Year’s shooting
Holly B. Vadella of Rostraver spent New Year’s Eve at her mother’s house watching television before insisting not long after midnight that she needed to head home and take care of her cat, said township police Chief John Christner. “Her mom did try to convince her to stay,” Christner said....
Updated plans for Jeannette’s former Monsour property could come in 2022, developer says
Kathie Tanyer looks at the Colony Holding commercial developments ongoing in North Huntingdon and hopes something similar can be replicated at the old Monsour Medical Center property in Jeannette. The local resident wants city officials to press developer Don Tarosky Jr. on his plans for redevelopment at the Route 30...
Record-setting number of tornadoes strikes Pittsburgh region in 2021
A record number of tornadoes blew through the Pittsburgh region in 2021. Jason Frazier, meteorologist at the National Weather Service’s Moon office, said there were 28 twisters in the coverage area, which includes parts of Ohio and West Virginia. The previous record was set in 1990 with 17. But there’s...
Scottdale man accused of ramming another vehicle in Hempfield
A Scottdale man is behind bars after state police said he rammed another vehicle in Hempfield on Wednesday, according to court papers. Jeffery E. Stafford, 35, is charged with aggravated assault by vehicle, reckless endangerment, accidents involving damage to an attended vehicle and several summary traffic violations, including driving with...
Jeannette man sentenced to state prison in sex assault of teen girl
A Jeannette man was sentenced Tuesday to six to 12 years in a state prison in connection with the sexual assault of a 14-year-old girl. Steven Alan Deluke, 43, was ordered to spend three years on probation after the prison term. He pleaded guilty in June to involuntary deviate sexual...
New Westmoreland County row officers, district judges, sworn in
There’s a full slate of court proceedings waiting for Rebecca Calisti Tyburski in her first week as district judge in Harrison City. She’s excited to get started Monday after weeks of learning the ropes with help from District Judge Helen Kistler, who is retiring from the Penn Township seat. “She...
Jeannette council approves raising residential garbage rates
Residential garbage rates in Jeannette are set to rise through 2026 after council on Tuesday approved a proposal from Mayor Curtis Antoniak. Current monthly trash collection rates are $16.67, and that will jump to $20 starting in 2022. The monthly price will be $25 by 2026 with incremental increases annually,...
Diversity, inclusivity topics in Westmoreland Community Action survey
A survey open through Feb. 22 will help Westmoreland Community Action determine how the agency can help with issues related to diversity and inclusiveness. Welcoming Westmoreland is a project the Greensburg-based agency and other groups are undertaking in an effort to foster growth and development through diverse cultures that exist...
Belle Vernon man accused of attempted Christmas burglary in Rostraver
A Belle Vernon man is behind bars after police said he attempted to break into a home in Rostraver on Christmas with his young child in tow, according to court papers. Scott Michael Shetter, 29, is charged with attempted burglary, aggravated assault, terroristic threats, resisting arrest and criminal mischief. He...
Santa’s on his way: Here’s how to track him
All eyes are on the guy dressed in red and white. It’s time for Santa Claus to shine, and there are a few ways to track his gift-giving progress — with the help of nine flying reindeer, Rudolph included of course — before he makes it to rooftops across Southwestern...
10-year-old dons elf suit to spread Christmas cheer at Unity personal care home
A young beacon of the holiday spirit made sure residents at a Unity personal care home felt loved during a special visit Thursday. Dora Runyon, 86, exclaimed when William Gunther, 10, handed her a small elephant stuffed animal, one of 150 he purchased to hand out to those spending Christmas...
Former Penn Township policeman cited for hunting violations
A retired Penn Township policeman was cited by the state game commission this month for five summary hunting violations. Authorities said Augustine DeGuffroy, 66, illegally shot an antlerless deer on Dec. 1 along Richmond Drive in Penn Township. DeGuffroy, a township resident, did not have a hunting license at the...
Bicyclist seriously injured in South Huntingdon, driver charged with DUI
A Sewickley Township woman is accused by state police of being under the influence of controlled substances when she hit a bicyclist, seriously injuring him, according to court papers filed last week. Kimberly Lynn Kustra, 46, is charged with aggravated assault by vehicle while driving under the influence and related...
Greensburg man dies after being hit by vehicle in Jeannette
A Greensburg man died Tuesday after being hit by a vehicle in Jeannette, according to police Chief Donald Johnston Jr. and the Allegheny County Medical Examiner. Ronald Momeyer, 65, was in a cross walk on Claridge-Elliott Road heading into work at Elliott Group at 6:15 a.m. Monday when he was...
Duquesne man jailed after 135 mph chase in Derry Township
A Duquesne man was jailed this week on fleeing and related charges filed by state police in connection with a 135 mph chase that started in Derry Township earlier this year. Bail for Nicholas D. Lomax, 28, was set at $100,000. Troopers said they were stationed on Route 22 in...
At-home test could prove crucial in tamping down spread of covid-19, experts say
Editor’s note: This story first published on Dec. 20, 2021. Sue Lovgren’s family member was sick with covid-like symptoms the week after Thanksgiving, and they had decisions to make, depending on what the result was. “We were waiting on a PCR test and it was taking too much time, and...
Blighted old brewery complex in Jeannette the ‘last big piece’ to city’s rebuild
Bob and Lola Barton see the decrepit remains of the former Fort Pitt Brewery every time they leave home. The West Jeannette couple said the crumbling, red-brick complex attracts rodents and troublemaking kids who have thrown rocks from the roof. The Bartons have lived on 11th Street for about 25...
Sewickley Township man accused of money laundering in insurance check scheme
A Sewickley Township man is accused by state police of taking a $5,200 insurance check belonging to a woman who was in jail after another man wrecked her vehicle, according to court papers. John R. Hyatt, 47, is charged with money laundering, forgery and theft. He was arraigned Wednesday and...
