Renatta Signorini stories, Page 91
Police: Boy, 17, facing charges after assault at Ligonier Valley High School
A 17-year-old boy is being charged with simple assault and harassment through juvenile court after assaulting another student at Ligonier Valley High School this week, according to Police Chief John Berger. The boy punched and kicked a 16-year-old boy in the lobby around noon Tuesday at the Ligonier Township school,...
Police accuse 21-year-old Hempfield man of fathering child with 15-year-old girl
A 21-year-old Hempfield man is behind bars after state police said he fathered a child with a 15-year-old girl, according to court papers. Tristin M. Huffine was arrested Tuesday on a charge of statutory sexual assault. Troopers received a Childline report in March in which they were notified that the...
Greensburg man scammed church out of money, police said
A Greensburg man is accused of taking money from a church and a grocery store when cashing a check from a second church, according to police. Anthony Lawrence McGeachy, 46, of Greensburg, is charged with theft and bad checks in two cases. “We understand that this time of year, there...
Man rescued during smoky fire conditions at East Huntingdon town home
Firefighters rescued a man from an East Huntingdon townhome Tuesday morning after smoke filled the upstairs. A small fire that started in a bedroom appeared to be accidental, said Christopher Brinker, East Huntingdon’s second assistant fire chief. It may have been sparked by a candle, he said, but state police...
2 men accused in North Huntingdon kidnapping
North Huntingdon police arrested two men Monday who they said were involved with the kidnapping of a 17-year-old township resident during the weekend, according to court papers. Karrar F. Al Hilali, 39, of West Mifflin and James Keith Maskil, 28, of Graysville, Greene County, are charged with kidnapping, conspiracy, burglary,...
Jeannette could turn to credit agency to collect unpaid property maintenance fines
Scofflaws who ignore quality of life tickets from Jeannette soon could find themselves hounded by a collection agency. City officials are looking over a potential contract with Creditech to collect fines from the tickets that are aimed at property maintenance violations, such as furniture in yards and junk vehicles. Tickets...
W.Va. man subject of PFA jailed on stalking charge after being at Loyalhanna home
A West Virginia man is being held without bail in the Westmoreland County Prison after state police said he showed up at the Loyalhanna home of a woman who has a protection from abuse order against him. Antonio Michael Jeneskee, 22, of Follansbee, is charged with stalking. Troopers were called...
Jeannette to save $185K by refinancing bond debt
Jeannette will save $185,000 by refinancing a 2016 bond, according to chief fiscal officer Ethan Keedy. Council approved the measure Thursday. Keedy said the savings will be put into the capital reserve fund. There is about $2.7 million remaining to repay through April 2033 with an interest rate ranging between...
Jeannette businesses won’t get American Rescue Plan cash for now, officials say
Jeannette will not be offering businesses American Rescue Plan funding, at least for now. A measure that would’ve created an application process was rejected by council Thursday 3-2. Councilwoman Robin Mozley, who had requested the item be placed on the agenda, and Councilman Chuck Highlands cast the affirmative votes. Mozley...
Elliott Group steps up to pay for Jeannette police camera lease for 2 years
The cost of dash and body cameras for the Jeannette Police Department will be paid for by Elliott Group for the first two years of a five-year lease. The donation was a surprise to city officials, who discussed this week adding the measure of protection for $15,700 annually. Council on...
Jeannette passes budget with no property tax increase
Jeannette Council passed a 2022 spending plan that does not raise property taxes, according to chief fiscal officer Ethan Keedy. The $6 million budget anticipates the city will get about $1.9 million in property taxes. The costliest departments are police at $2.2 million, trash collection at $998,000, the fire department...
Jeannette officials consider raising residential garbage rates
Jeannette council is considering raising residential garbage rates. Just how much remains to be seen. The group on Tuesday discussed potential amounts with no firm decision. They could vote on the measure at a council meeting Dec. 28. The sanitation department’s 2022 budget shows a decrease in expected net profit...
Penn-Trafford football team gets off to Hershey in styleVideo
Penn-Trafford High School students, family and community members sent their WPIAL championship football team off in style Friday morning as they cross the state seeking further glory. The Warriors will play in their first PIAA Class 5A championship game at 7 p.m. against Imhotep Charter at Hersheypark Stadium in Hershey....
Blairsville man seriously hurt in Derry Township crash
A Blairsville man was seriously hurt in a two-vehicle crash Thursday morning in Derry Township, according to state police. Troopers said William A. Schietroma, 61, was driving a Hyundai Elantra north on Route 217 at 6:45 a.m. when he crossed over the center line and slammed into a Chevrolet Cobalt...
1 flown by medical helicopter from Derry Township crash
A man was flown Thursday morning by a medical helicopter to a Pittsburgh hospital from the scene of a head-on crash in Derry Township, according to Bradenville Assistant Fire Chief Nick Piantine. The crash was reported on Route 217 at 6:45 a.m. just outside of Derry Borough near Chef Dato’s...
2 killed in Fayette crash, including New Stanton man
Two people, including a New Stanton man, were killed in a two-vehicle crash Wednesday morning in Fayette County that state police attributed to wintry weather conditions. Troopers said a Ford Ranger being driven at 7 a.m. by Stanley A. Ohler, 26, of Connellsville, was traveling north on Route 119 in...
Jeannette looks to lease dash and body cameras for police department
Jeannette police could be getting another measure of protection — dash and body cameras. Police Chief Donald Johnston Jr. said having video evidence of arrests or incidents could help bolster criminal cases as well as deter potentially violent encounters with the public. “When you’re not able to provide that footage,...
Jeannette to use some federal American Rescue Plan money to buy new radios for firefighters
Jeannette firefighters are getting an upgrade to their radio systems with the help of American Rescue Plan funding. Fire Chief Bill Frye said he plans to purchase 23 new portable radios, a mobile radio for in a fire truck and a new radio repeater as well as upgrade the fire...
Jeannette officials debate how to spend $900K allocation from American Rescue Plan
A measure that would create a process for Jeannette businesses to apply for a portion of the city’s American Rescue Plan funding could be voted on during council’s Thursday meeting. Councilwoman Robin Mozley requested the item be placed on the agenda after officials heard from a business owner inquiring about...
Fill the Ambulance event in Hempfield will accept Toys for Tots donations
Lorenzo Garino isn’t sure how many toys will fit in an ambulance, but he’s going to find out this weekend. Mutual Aid Ambulance Service is partnering with Z&M Harley-Davidson in Hempfield for a Fill the Ambulance event benefiting Toys for Tots. Garino, Mutual Aid’s director of operations, said the Greensburg-based...
Police say 11-year-old’s 911 call from Brownsville school included background mention of firearm
An 11-year-old boy is facing charges through juvenile court after state police said he called Fayette 911 from Brownsville Area Elementary School on Tuesday and played a video that mentioned a firearm. The Luzerne Township school was locked down as a result and troopers said they used a police dog...
Damage in St. Vladimir fire valued at $4 million, police say cause undetermined
A devastating fire at an Arnold church over the weekend caused $4 million in damage, according to a state police fire marshal. Trooper Keith Sobecki said the cause of the blaze at St. Vladimir Ukrainian Catholic Church is undetermined, pending further investigation. The fire at the 74-year-old Kenneth Avenue church,...
Westmoreland County passes 1,000 covid-related deaths since pandemic began
An ominous mark is here: 1,000 covid-related deaths in Westmoreland County, making it the ninth county in Pennsylvania to reach four digits. Two deaths reported Monday pushed the county to 1,001 lives lost, according to figures from the state Department of Health. Of those, 400 deaths occurred in nursing homes....
Charges related to Scottdale standoff withdrawn upon man’s death
A criminal complaint against a Scottdale man who was the subject of a police standoff last month was withdrawn because of his death, according to court records and prosecutors. Toxicology results are pending for Matthew B. Gribble, 44, who died Nov. 24, according to the county coroner’s office. He was...
Local business owner carves out niche making toys, games through woodworking expertise
A factory supplying toys and games to people young and old is in high gear as the holiday season approaches. Dean Helfer Jr., who runs Channel Craft in Charleroi, said the 40 craftsmen and women have been working extra hours since June to catch up on a backlog of orders....
