Renatta Signorini stories, Page 43
Man dies from gunshot wounds in Carrick
A man was fatally shot Sunday in Carrick after an apparent altercation, according to Pittsburgh Police. Witnesses told investigators there was a fight between two men before the shooting around 1:30 a.m. on Brownsville Road. The suspect then fled. Police were summoned to the scene and said they found the...
2 dead after shooting at home in McKeesport
A man and woman were fatally shot in a McKeesport house, according to Allegheny County Police. Their bodies were found at 5:20 p.m. Saturday during a welfare check at a 27th Street home. Police said the circumstances leading up to the shooting are under investigation, but they don’t believe anyone...
2 Westmoreland teens competing this week in rodeo’s Junior World Finals in Las Vegas
Two Westmoreland County teens will be competing in the Junior World Finals this month in hopes that their homegrown rodeo skills will land them a top prize. Aubrie Loughner, 18, is set to compete in barrel racing and breakaway roping while Jack Brentzel, 14, qualified to participate in the bull...
Scam via text message bilks Hempfield man of $1,800
A Hempfield man was scammed out of $1,800 after, state police said, he was contacted by a person who claimed to be the pastor at a local church. The two communicated by text message Nov. 14 and the scammer requested money to help church members who are confined to their...
Jeannette plans to add 63 more surveillance cameras, including 16 license plate readers
The number of surveillance cameras in Jeannette is more than tripling, according to Police Chief Donald Johnston Jr. The department is adding 63 cameras, including 16 license plate readers, with grant funding received last year from the Pennsylvania Commission on Crime and Delinquency. Johnston estimated the 25 cameras already affixed...
Land bank fosters new life for more than 170 abandoned Westmoreland properties
When Jackie Sobel and her father, David, were looking to put down roots for their craft brewery, they knew new construction wasn’t going to be right for the vibe they wanted. “We were looking for something that had a lot of character,” she said. They perused Westmoreland County Land Bank...
Incremental progress in Indiana County shooting investigation to be expected, experts say
When a crime like the October shooting at a private party in Indiana County takes place, police have a mountain of work in front of them. They’re tracking down witnesses, some of whom might not want to talk, and sifting through their statements to determine what might be pertinent. They’re...
Behind the art: Justice, mercy, moderation set stage in Westmoreland courtroom
Editor’s note: Behind the Art is a recurring series highlighting artistic works throughout the county. One day in early November, a defendant in Judge Christopher Feliciani’s criminal courtroom looked to the ceiling at three century-old oil paintings, pondering their meaning aloud in an exchange with the judge. There’s one labeled...
Jeannette’s Sparkle of Christmas parade grows
Jeannette’s annual Sparkle of Christmas parade is set to be twice as big as last year’s, according to parade co-coordinator Michelle Langdon. “There’s a bigger interest in participating this year,” she said. The parade will step off at 2 p.m. Dec. 2 and head down Clay Avenue. The Sparkle of...
Penn Township voting ward changes proposed
A petition to adjust the boundaries of Penn Township’s five voting wards will be filed in Westmoreland County court. If OK’d by a judge, the new boundaries would take effect Jan. 1, according to the petition. The changes would affect about 500 residents who would have a new voting ward,...
Westmoreland election ties broken with marble drawings
Luck was on Andy Pinskey’s side Wednesday. He pulled the No. 1 marble, likely securing himself another term on Scottdale Borough Council. A tie for the seat was broken Wednesday at the Westmoreland County Courthouse after he and opponent Cherri Rogers each received 132 votes in November’s general election. “It...
New Kensington man gets up to 23 months in jail for fleeing from police, endangering child
A New Kensington man who police said led officers on a chase with a child in the car was sentenced Tuesday to more than eight months to 23 months in the Westmoreland County jail. Benjamin Alexander Ploski, 35, pleaded guilty Tuesday to aggravated assault, fleeing from police, child endangerment and...
Trafford man sentenced for assault of estranged girlfriend
A Trafford man was sentenced to state prison this week in connection with a violent assault on his estranged girlfriend. Alfred H. Tournay III, 56, was sentenced to 6 1/2 to 13 years. He was ordered to pay $4,077 in restitution to one of the neighbors and $1,000 to the...
Man jumped from New Stanton hotel window to evade police, troopers say
A Mt. Pleasant man was behind bars after state police said he jumped from a New Stanton hotel window and ran from troopers last week, according to a news release. Marc Allen Hernley, 36, was being held on $50,000 bail at the Westmoreland County Prison. Troopers said they spotted a...
Murrysville man receives jail sentence for assaulting woman in 2022
A Murrysville man was sentenced to a jail term Tuesday in connection with an incident at his former girlfriend’s home the same day he was released on bond on accusations that he choked her. Colby M. Bowling, 29, was sentenced to 11-1/2 to 23 months at the Westmoreland County Prison...
Westmoreland 250: 10 things to see in Rostraver
(Editor’s note: To mark Westmoreland County’s 250th birthday this year, we’ve come up with a list of 250 things — 10 things in 25 communities — that we consider to be important to the makeup of our area. This series will appear each week through December. If you have a...
Housing Authority moves on $450K sewer project in Sewickley Township
The Westmoreland County Housing Authority is moving ahead with a $450,000 project to tap into public sewage lines for a small community in Sewickley Township. Executive director Michael Washowich said the authority plans to close a small sewage treatment plant it owns at the Shaner Heights complex and connect sewage...
73 cats rescued from North Huntingdon home were living in misery, New Kensington rescue president says
The 73 cats rescued from a North Huntingdon home in 2020 were living in a state of misery, according to Becky Morrow, medical director and president of Frankie’s Friends. Rescuers found the remains of nine cats on the Leger Road property and they were able to save 65 of the...
Casting of lots will break tie votes in 6 Westmoreland races
Two candidates for one seat on Scottdale council will find out Wednesday who wins. Andy Pinsky and Cherri Rogers each received 132 votes in November’s general election. Lots will be cast at noon Wednesday at the Westmoreland County Courthouse. The race is one of six that will be decided by...
Attorney found guilty of evading arrest, other charges in connection with Greensburg traffic stop
A Westmoreland County attorney was found guilty of three summary counts Monday in connection with a traffic stop last month in Greensburg. District Judge Thomas S. Brletic found David E. Mulock, 38, of Murrysville guilty of evading arrest, operating a vehicle without a valid inspection and improperly displaying his Volkswagen’s...
Steelers vs. Browns: What they are saying in Cleveland after their win
The Cleveland Browns’ defense made big plays when it mattered most. During the first half, the defense held the Steelers to 64 total yards. Then on what ended up being the Steelers’ final drive of the game, quarterback Kenny Pickett couldn’t complete a pass, leading to a last-second field goal...
Behind the art: Gavels mix with grandeur in Westmoreland courtroom
Editor’s note: Behind the Art is a recurring series highlighting artistic works throughout the county. When new faces enter Judge Meagan Bilik-DeFazio’s courtroom, they often appear awestruck. There’s so much to look at — the magnificent paintings on the ceiling, the portraits of past judges along the walls and the...
Police seek ID of man after robbery of First National Bank in Hempfield
State police are looking for a man who they said robbed a Hempfield bank Friday around 11:30 a.m. The man entered the First National Bank’s branch on Wendel Road, not far from Route 30, and presented a threatening note. Trooper Cliff Greenfield said the man had a handgun in his...
Pa. State Police’s K9 who aided hunt for escaped murderer to be honored at National Dog Show
A celebrity of sorts will be honored at The National Dog Show — a Pennsylvania State Police dog who helped in the high-profile search and arrest of an armed escaped murderer near Philadelphia. Rom was heavily involved in the search for Danelo Cavalcante, who was captured Sept. 13 after a...
DUI charges filed in crash involving 3 motorcycles on Route 30 in Ligonier Township
A man who was intoxicated and didn’t have a valid drivers license is accused of crashing into three motorcycles in Ligonier Township, according to court papers. The three motorcyclists all had serious injuries, including multiple broken bones, and have undergone surgeries and rehabilitation, Ligonier Valley police said. William C. Strogish,...
