Renatta Signorini stories
Development authority planned by Hempfield with focus on former prison property
Hempfield is planning to create an authority that officials hope will spur development. Once it’s established, the development authority’s first task will be identifying new uses for the former SCI Greensburg state prison property that the township owns. “An initial focus would be on the redevelopment of the SCI parcel,...
Plans are underway to improve signage, lighting and pedestrian access near Westmoreland MallVideo
Hempfield wants to spruce up the Westmoreland Mall area by adding signage, lighting and pedestrian improvements at the entrance into the township. The township supervisors on Monday approved a $30,000 agreement with Remington & Vernick Engineers for a study and conceptual design for improvements focused on a bridge and ramp...
Jeannette seeks to fill vacant city treasurer post
Jeannette is looking for someone to fill the treasurer’s role after the winner of the elected position didn’t meet the requirements for the job, said city manager Ethan Keedy. The top write-in vote-getter during November’s election didn’t secure a bond or complete an online exam by Jan. 19, two weeks...
Jeannette appoints retired city foreman to vacant council post
A familiar face is returning to Jeannette municipal government as a retired city foreman was appointed Tuesday to fill a vacancy on council. Rich Ault said he retired in 2023 after working for the city for 36 years. “I just think with the amount of years I had there, I...
Hempfield OKs purchase of $1M pumper truck for fire department
The purchase of a $1.06 million fire truck was approved Monday by the Hempfield supervisors, but officials don’t expect it to hit the streets until 2029. Hempfield Fire Chief Anthony Kovacic said the pumper truck would replace one that is 30 years old. “The reality is the delivery of that...
Hempfield offering senior tax rebate for 1st time
Educational sessions for eligible residents are being planned this year as the Hempfield supervisors on Monday enacted a senior tax rebate program. Township Manager Aaron Siko said the sessions will include information about the program and offer help filling out applications. “We have strategy in place to disseminate information into...
Radon testing kits now available for free at Westmoreland County Libraries
Testing for radon in Westmoreland County will be as easy as checking out a book from the local library. Forty digital radon testing kits are being stocked at Westmoreland County Libraries’ facilities, putting the library system at the forefront of the program nationwide through a partnership with Airthings, a tech...
Hempfield supervisors approve design firm for new fire station
Hempfield is moving forward with its plans to build a new fire station in the western part of the township. The township supervisors on Monday approved a $507,300 proposal from H.F. Lenz to design and oversee construction of what is being called Station 502. It will be built at the...
‘It shook the entire house’: Neighbors describe rescue after Delmont apartment explosion
Shaken residents were cleared to stay in their Delmont apartments after an apparent explosion damaged one of them, said police Chief T.J. Klobucar. Eva Arraujo and Tyler Fissella said Friday morning that one of the many officials who responded to the strip of six apartments the previous day checked out...
Chad Amond, passionate advocate for Westmoreland County, dies at 51
Chad Amond shared his passion for Westmoreland County at countless events, pushing for growth, collaboration and development in the place where he grew up, leading the Westmoreland County Chamber of Commerce for 11 years. Amond died Monday after a battle with primary progressive aphasia, which forced him to step down...
Police seeking information about racist video recorded in Rostraver
State police are investigating a video recorded at the Rostraver Walmart store that involves racist language. The video, which was posted to Facebook, originally was reported to township police and has since been turned over to state police investigators, Trooper Rocco Gagliardi said. The video shows a white man approach...
District attorney rules police shooting of Derry Township man as justified
The use of deadly force by police in fatally shooting a Derry Township man in November was ruled justified by Westmoreland County District Attorney Nicole Ziccarelli. State and Latrobe police faced an immediate threat of serious bodily injury or death when they responded to a domestic disturbance and were met...
Video cameras to record unique presentation on history of the U.S. at Palace Theatre
The story of the birth of the United States will collide with Westmoreland Symphony Orchestra musicians in a unique performance that will include video cameras stationed around Greensburg’s Palace Theatre. Saturday will be a night of firsts: the first time “The Unlikely Union: A Storytelling Symphony of America” will have...
Man who brought carfentanil to Latrobe receives 4-8 years in prison
A man accused of bringing drugs into Westmoreland County by train last year was sentenced Thursday to four to eight years in a state prison. Brenden Fuentes, 23, who has had addresses in Latrobe and Philadelphia, pleaded guilty Thursday to possession with intent to deliver, drug possession and possession of...
Judge sets bail for Murrysville man accused of burglary, indecent assault
A Westmoreland County judge on Wednesday set $5,000 bail for a man accused of breaking into a Murrysville home and groping a female resident. Gregory P. Schneider, 47, had been held at the Westmoreland County Prison without bail since his arrest Sept. 2 on two felony counts of burglary and...
Westmoreland makes 12 temporary layoffs permanent as part of restructuring
A dozen Westmoreland County employees who have been furloughed saw their positions abolished Thursday, resulting in permanent layoffs. Seven of the positions were in the human services department, which director Rob Hamilton called a restructuring. The move will free up a chunk of money at a time when, he said,...
Mt. Pleasant man receives mandatory sentence in sexual abuse of child
A Mt. Pleasant man was sentenced to 10 to 20 years in state prison Thursday in connection with repeated sexual abuse of a teen. Joshua Jacob Tamblyn, 41, was convicted in July of involuntary deviate sexual intercourse of a child less than 16, four counts of indecent assault and one...
Police say Bradenville taxidermist accepted animals, payment but never completed work
John Anthony hooked impressive fish on back-to-back days out of Sandy Lick Creek near Brookville in 2022. He was proud of the pair of catches and wanted to get the 21-inch rainbow trout and 15-inch brook trout mounted, so he sought help from Mike Chesla of Forever Ridge Taxidermy in...
Police: Shooter fired 3 times, beat up man dating his estranged wife outside East Huntingdon fitness center
A man accused in a shooting in an East Huntingdon plaza Tuesday afternoon fired a handgun three times, beat up his target and then walked to his pickup truck before driving 8 miles to Connellsville, according to Trooper Steve Limani. The wounded man has been dating 38-year-old Steven Heald’s estranged...
Greensburg OKs plan for Sheetz at East Pittsburgh Street
A subdivision and land development plan for a long-awaited Sheetz in Greensburg was approved by council Monday and officials said traffic calming measures will be added to allay concerns. Mayor Robb Bell said he felt comfortable approving the plan after having a conference call with Sheetz officials last week. He...
Man hospitalized after being shot at East Huntingdon shopping plaza; suspect in custody, identifiedVideo
State police charged a Connellsville man after a brazen daylight shooting Tuesday in an East Huntingdon shopping plaza that sent a man to the hospital. Charges against Steven Henry Tris Heald, 38, include attempted criminal homicide, aggravated assault and stalking, according to court records. The shooting was reported about 1...
Judge sets state prison sentence for man who punched, kicked and choked dog in South Huntingdon
After Assistant District Attorney Elizabeth Ranger played graphic videos depicting the abuse of a dog in court Tuesday, she read messages the defendant sent laughing about his actions. “The dog can’t walk lol,” Zachary Hixson, 31, said in one message. “It’s paralyzed lol,” he said in another, as read by...
Greensburg moves another step closer to beginning Northmont flood control work
A $6,000 payment for an easement related to Greensburg’s Northmont flood control project was approved Monday. City council authorized the payment to John and Rebecca Rosebosly for access to 430 New Alexandria Road, the site of McDonald Auto Clinic. Solicitor Zachary Kansler said negotiations are underway with four more property...
Homicide charges filed in March crash that killed Greensburg Salem school van driver
A tractor-trailer driver was arrested Monday on homicide by vehicle charges in connection with a March crash that killed a Greensburg Salem school van driver. Isaac D. Stemple, 23, of Belington, W.Va., is free on $100,000 unsecured bail. Rene Davis, 60, of Hempfield was killed in the March 7 crash...
Delmont officer, police dog recovering after crash
Delmont police Officer Dylan Keffer and police dog Dirk are recovering after being involved in a crash Sunday evening in Murrysville. Police Chief T.J. Klobucar said the pair were helping Murrysville officers with an unrelated crash on Route 22 when Keffer was dispatched elsewhere in Murrysville. As Keffer turned on...
