Renatta Signorini stories, Page 22
Police looking for suspect in Hempfield Walmart wallet theft
State police are looking for help from the public to identify a man who they say took a woman’s wallet from the Hempfield Walmart store and lied to her that he had it. Troopers said the woman used the self checkout at 10 p.m. Nov. 13 when she forgot her...
Police: West Newton garage applied inspection stickers without examining vehicles
A West Newton auto shop is facing criminal charges after state police said employees there were putting inspection stickers on vehicles they didn’t actually inspect, according to court papers. When a state trooper visited Martinelli Auto Service in August for an audit, he reported seeing two vehicles with new inspection...
Chicago woman declines plea bargain in catalytic converter theft ring case
A Chicago woman who cooperated with Westmoreland County prosecutors in relation to charges stemming from an organized catalytic converter theft ring believed the case against her was going to be dropped, her attorney said Friday. But when Maria Padilla, 39, arrived for a hearing, she learned otherwise, said attorney Samir...
Steelers vs. Browns: What they’re saying in Cleveland after the winVideo
As if the Steelers-Browns rivalry under the lights wasn’t enough — add some snow and sub-freezing temperatures. Cleveland head coach Kevin Stefanski said it all made for a fun, unique “Thursday Night Football” atmosphere during which his team topped Pittsburgh, 24-19, at home. “Our fans were unbelievable,” Stefanski told reporters...
‘It wasn’t my signature,’ NAACP treasurer testifies at hearing for retired Pa. AG investigator accused in $175K theft case
For District Judge Henry Moore, it came down to one charge — forgery. He grew quiet after listening to five hours of testimony in the case against a North Versailles woman accused of stealing money from the Pennsylvania attorney general’s North Huntingdon office and the McKeesport branch of the NAACP....
New York woman dies after being struck by tractor-trailer on turnpike in Donegal Township
A pedestrian was killed late Wednesday after being struck by a tractor-trailer on the Pennsylvania Turnpike in Donegal Township, according to Westmoreland County Coroner Tim Carson. Isa Muhammad, 27, of Ozone Park, N.Y., was walking on the westbound side of the highway near mile marker 91, close to the Donegal...
Severe storms knock out power to thousands; possible tornado being investigated
Did a tornado move through east-central Allegheny County on Wednesday? That’s what the National Weather Service in Moon Township will look to find out as they conduct a survey Thursday, according to a post from the agency on social media. Heavy rain and wind blew through the region Wednesday, knocking...
Former Westmoreland County director of purchasing charged with theft of nearly $10K
Westmoreland County’s former director of purchasing was arrested Tuesday on felony charges accusing him of stealing $9,800 by allowing department employees to work an extra 30 minutes daily. County detectives said Kristopher R. Cardiff, 47, of Trafford, was not authorized by the county’s salary board to extend the workday for...
Woman accused in $200K bank scheme nabbed in New Stanton
A woman from the Los Angeles area was arrested this week in New Stanton in connection with a scam reported by a man who was led to believe that he was giving money to a bank in exchange for what he thought was an investment opportunity, according to court papers....
Police: North Huntingdon man charged in July crash was driving 90 mph in 35 mph zone
A North Huntingdon man is accused of driving 90 mph in a 35 mph zone when he crashed into another vehicle, seriously injuring its driver, according to township police. Nolan Patrick Mullen, 22, was arraigned Friday on charges of aggravated assault by vehicle, reckless endangerment and related offenses. Authorities said...
Steelers vs. Ravens: What they’re saying in Baltimore after loss
On a Sunday when the kickers played a major role in the game’s outcome, Baltimore Ravens kicker Justin Tucker’s two missed field goals might be bothering him for awhile. In a post-game interview, Tucker told reporters it can be tough to erase a mistake from his mind — he still...
Band Together Pittsburgh’s open mic events offer a ‘safe, supported, fun and cool environment’ for those on autism spectrum
A big smile emerged on Madeline Segal’s face as she finished her vocal performance of “A Thousand Years.” “Thank you,” she said as other participants at an autism-friendly open mic event in Irwin applauded. Segal, 19, of Murrysville, has become a regular at such events held by Band Together Pittsburgh,...
Police: New Stanton man called Westmoreland DA Ziccarelli 13 times in 9 minutes
A New Stanton man is facing a preliminary hearing Wednesday on state police accusations that he harassed his former attorney and the Westmoreland County district attorney. Troopers said Gerard Dorundo, 65, banged on the doors and windows of his former attorney’s office in Adamsburg for about 10 minutes Nov. 8...
Fire heavily damages Vandergrift home, but the resident, her pets, make it out safely
After Lisa Schrader heard a pop and then saw smoke, she grabbed her dog Chloe and cat Oreo and raced out of her Vandergrift home before it became consumed flames, according to her sister, Cindy Phillips of West Vandergrift. But as firefighters worked, Schrader agonized over whether her second cat,...
Suspicious package found at church prompts police to shut down streets in Southwest Greensburg
A reported suspicious package found outside a Southwest Greensburg church on Saturday is under investigation. Firefighters on Saturday afternoon closed several blocks of Stanton Street, which is on the border of Greensburg and Southwest Greensburg, and other adjacent roads. The package was reportedly found in a food pantry box outside...
Tiny railcars pick up Christmas presents for 40 miles between East Huntingdon and Hempfield
The Toys for Tots box truck was filling up fast, before a caravan of railcars collecting toy donations even rolled through Hunker. Volunteers loaded, and unloaded, the truck Saturday to keep up with the deluge of new, unwrapped toys the operators of more than two dozen railcars picked up along...
What happened to Jessica Goldsworthy? Authorities say 2018 case isn’t cold ‘just yet’
On Nov. 16, 2018, Jessica Lynn Goldsworthy got into a gray four-door car with four men who were planning to rob a drug dealer in Sutersville. Two people were shot during the robbery. Goldsworthy, then 24, was never seen again. Her brothers reported her missing days later, state police Cpl....
Hempfield man accused of arson after garage fire
A Hempfield man accused of setting a fire at a garage attached to a house last week was denied bail Wednesday on arson charges. Jacob David Baker, 20, was extremely intoxicated at the time of the Nov. 4 fire and taken to Independence Health Westmoreland Hospital for an evaluation, police...
Jeannette seeks more time to complete plans, construction of new fire station
Jeannette officials are expecting to get an extension on a $1.2 million grant designated for a new fire station. City manager Ethan Keedy said, based on communication with state officials late last week, the expected extension will allow work on the new station to continue into 2025. The deadline to...
Latrobe attorney accused of stealing $31K from inmate asks for bail reduction, change of venue
A Latrobe attorney jailed on $250,000 bail is looking to have that amount reduced and his theft case moved out of Westmoreland County. In court filings Tuesday, John Allen Roth, 69, called the bail amount excessive and unconstitutional and said he has a meritorious defense. “Roth needs to be released...
Steelers vs. Commanders: What they’re saying in Washington after loss
The last-minute loss to the Pittsburgh Steelers stung badly for the Washington Commanders, said head coach Dan Quinn. But the Steelers’ 28-27 comeback victory provided a lot of lessons for his team. “Heading into this game, I thought it was going to be a hard fought game,” he said in...
Westmoreland County among 1st in state to study suicide with aim toward prevention
Sixty Westmoreland County residents died by suicide last year. Reducing that number is the aim of a new board that’s forming to study suicides in the county, especially those involving veterans, so the group can identify ways to prevent them. Findings of the review board could result in legislation and...
Clerical errors found during North Hempfield Volunteer Firefighters Relief Association audit being rectified, manager says
Issues found during a compliance audit of North Hempfield Volunteer Firefighters Relief Association, Inc. are being rectified, said township manager Aaron Siko. The five findings were related to the station’s relief association being transferred to township oversight under the process to become nonchartered — handing over the station’s management and...
Latrobe attorney accused of stealing $31K from female prison inmate
A Latrobe attorney is accused of exploiting an elderly jail inmate from New Kensington to get access to her bank account, stealing $31,300 and then using the money to gamble at a casino, according to court papers. Assistant District Attorney Katie Ranker said attorney John Allen Roth used his position...
Murrysville man, former Allegheny County detective, now accused of asking son to lie
A former Allegheny County detective is accused of asking his son to lie about where an alleged crime happened, which resulted in a criminal case against him being dismissed last year, state police said in court papers. Troopers said Raymond Bonacci, 58, of Murrysville, “encouraged and/or demanded” his son to...
