Renatta Signorini stories, Page 27
FEMA ponies up $524K for North Irwin fire truck
It’s taken five years of trying for North Irwin firefighters to be awarded a hefty federal grant — $524,000 — for a new fire engine. “They’re very difficult to get,” said fire Chief Glenn Geiger. Now, it’ll likely be another three years before they can get that new truck on...
Hempfield addressing speed, safety issues on Fosterville Road
Turn onto Fosterville Road near Hempfield Area High School on Route 136 and you’ll find yourself among well kept homes in a heavily residential area. The speed limit is 25 mph, but that’s often not followed, said resident Dan Laskey. “They’re going too fast,” he said. There are plenty of...
North Huntingdon man charged in opiate prescription scheme
A week after a Penn Township man pleaded guilty to writing fake prescriptions for thousands of opiate pills, police charged a second man who they said was involved in the scheme. Curtis A. Stewart, 55, of North Huntingdon, was charged Thursday with acquisition by misrepresentation, forgery, identity theft, criminal use...
Driver in bulletproof vest attempts to flee police after drug bust in Murrysville
A Pittsburgh man was wearing a bulletproof vest when Murrysville police said he led them on a chase Wednesday afternoon following a drug bust, according to court papers. Authorities said Keyshawn H. Campbell, 23, also had a sweatshirt with body armor sewn in it wrapped around the drivers seat of...
Sheetz in Youngwood slated to permanently close in October
A Sheetz convenience store and gas station in Youngwood is set to permanently close Oct. 7. Employees were offered jobs at other locations around the area, according to Nick Ruffner, public relations manager for Sheetz. Company representatives did not respond to Trib questions about how many employees work there. The...
Police say DNA tests link former Latrobe man to alleged rape of teenage girl
Police charged a former Latrobe man Tuesday in connection with rape accusations made by a teenage girl. Authorities said DNA found on the girl’s clothing was a match for Randy B. Shipley Jr., 39, who is now an inmate at a state prison in Central Pennsylvania. The girl reported the...
Hempfield hopes to bolster identity among its multiple neighborhoods
Hempfield officials can now start looking for funding to turn a signage and branding plan into visible markers in the community. Township supervisors approved the plan Monday that could lead to a new logo and signs at entry points and in neighborhoods, among other changes, said manager Aaron Siko. “Hempfield...
Authorities use tech tools to tie Florida man to vehicle break-ins in Allegheny, Westmoreland counties
Cellphone towers, hotel records, GPS locations of rental cars and license plate readers helped agents from the state Attorney General’s Office nab a Florida man they believe was involved in at least 14 vehicle break-ins spanning two counties. Authorities charged Amahad K. Ware, 26, with numerous counts of dealing in...
Jeannette, Greensburg Salem expect supervision of younger students at high school athletic events
Elementary age children attending sporting events at McKee Stadium must have a parent or guardian with them under a new policy approved this month by Jeannette City school directors. Superintendent Matt Jones said the policy stands for any event at McKee Stadium, but it is primarily geared toward high school...
Police say North Huntingdon Walmart employee used fake return scheme to pocket nearly $48,000
A scheme that police said involved creating fake returns at the North Huntingdon Walmart store led to a Jeannette man pocketing nearly $48,000. Robert O’Brien, 21, of Jeannette, is awaiting a preliminary hearing next month on charges of theft, receiving stolen property, computer trespass and misapplication of property. Township police...
Autism society benefits from car cruise at Norwin Elks
Sisters Mary Mahler and Ann Brunner used their flashy cars Sunday to help give back to a cause important to them — support for people who are on the autism spectrum. Mahler drove into the Norwin Elks “Cruisin’ for a Cause: Children with Autism” in her 2016 Chevrolet Camaro. She...
Allegheny County prosecutors seek death penalty against woman left to care for a 6-week-old boy
Allegheny County prosecutors are seeking the death penalty against a woman accused in the June death of a weeks old Pittsburgh boy. They filed a notice of intent to seek the death penalty this week against Nicole Virzi, 30, of San Diego, Calif., according to online court records. Virzi was...
Young tenders of their farm animals rake in cash at Westmoreland Fair auction
As a livestock auction got underway in a crowded barn at the Westmoreland Fair, 9-year-old Gunner Temple confidently approached potential bidders. He shook their hands, introduced himself and explained his goal — the Mt. Pleasant Township boy intended to donate half the proceeds earned through the auction of his steer,...
Pregnant woman, 19, dies in the wake of Washington County house fire
A pregnant woman died after being pulled from a house fire early Friday in Washington County. Elrama Volunteer Fire Department said in a social media post that the woman was 23 weeks pregnant. Fire Chief Lenny Bailey identified her as Sabrina Boyle, 19, according to Trib news partner WTAE. The...
Performers on autism spectrum to make guest appearance at Greensburg Music Fest
Several guest stars from Band Together Pittsburgh will take over the microphone and drums during an autism-friendly performance Saturday at Greensburg Music Fest. Performers on the autism spectrum will provide three opening acts for The Nied’s Hotel Band at St. Clair Park. Members of the band plan to take a...
Refresh of Sherman tank on display in Monessen nears completion
A World War II-era tank in Monessen is being restored thanks to thousands of dollars in donations from businesses and residents in the tri-county area. Exposure to the elements at Monessen City Park over the years had left the Army Sherman tank looking shabby, said Ron Chromulak, Air Force veteran...
Jeannette officer brings K-9 Diesel back to the police force
Diesel the police dog was back home Tuesday morning after three weeks in a kennel. He bounded through handler Jeannette police Sgt. Jim Phillips’ yard, re-familiarizing himself with the surroundings and playing fetch with his favorite ball. Phillips used Dutch commands to communicate with the 4-year-old Belgian malinois, outside of...
Off-duty detective detains intruder who entered Jeannette home
An off-duty Westmoreland County detective stopped a break-in at his Jeannette home last week and was hurt while holding the suspect down until police got there, according to court papers. Authorities said Jonathan E. Craft, 21, opened a screen door around 9:40 p.m. Aug. 12, walked in and headed toward...
Mt. Pleasant Township woman accused of taking $100,000 in lottery tickets from machine at pizza shop
A Mt. Pleasant Township woman is accused of taking $100,000 worth of instant lottery tickets from a South Greensburg pizza shop where she worked, according to court papers. Kimberly Morris, 59, was arrested Monday on charges of theft and receiving stolen property. The owner of Falbo’s Pizzeria reported to Westmoreland...
Westmoreland inmate accused of escaping cell, attacking prison guard
A Sewickley Township man was arraigned Friday on police accusations that he attacked a guard at the Westmoreland County Prison. County detectives said John Michael Crowe, 37, of the village of Rillton, tampered with the lock on his cell door and was able to open it at 3:10 a.m. Aug....
Air Force captain getting ready to soar at this weekend’s Westmoreland air show
Air Force Capt. Melanie “Mach” Kluesner will be hurtling through the sky over Westmoreland County at more than 600 mph this weekend. She’ll have a touch screen at her fingertips to help her maneuver an F-35A Lightning II jet and even more technology in the visor of her helmet. But,...
Hempfield man awaiting sentencing in stabbing near Slippery Rock University
A Hempfield man is awaiting sentencing Aug. 29 after pleading guilty this month in connection with a stabbing at an apartment complex near Slippery Rock University. Brennan James Steeley, 24, pleaded guilty to a single count of felony aggravated assault, according to court records. Charges of simple assault, reckless endangerment...
Former Greensburg cop Regina McAtee’s sentencing delayed in methamphetamine case
A sentencing date for a former Greensburg police officer accused in a drug case has been pushed back to February. The attorney for Regina McAtee, 51, of New Kensington requested more time to prepare for the hearing in documents filed in federal court this week. McAtee had been scheduled for...
Pirates: Verbal deal reached in players’ union suit over image use by team, Sheetz
A series of joint posts on social media by Sheetz and the Pittsburgh Pirates are at the center of a federal lawsuit filed Wednesday by MLB Players, which claims the posts are in violation of the rights of several players on the team. Pirates spokesman Brian Warecki said Thursday he...
Jeannette man, wanted in Wisconsin, crashes car after 105 mph police chase on Route 30
A 3-mile midday police chase on Route 30 in Hempfield reached speeds of 105 mph before the suspect crashed, according to court papers. State troopers charged Nathan M. Etheridge, 33, of Jeannette, Wednesday with fleeing from police, driving under the influence and related offenses, as well as a list of...
