Renatta Signorini stories, Page 66
Homicide arraignment held for Unity man accused of killing Cassandra Gross
Thomas G. Stanko was arraigned Tuesday in connection with the death of Cassandra Gross of Unity, the first of many court hearings her mother Kathe Gross plans to attend in the homicide case. “I’m going to every one,” Gross said outside the courtroom after Stanko, 52, of Unity, was denied...
Jeannette blaze deemed suspicious by state police fire marshal
A fire that left several Jeannette residents homeless Monday was deemed suspicious. Jeannette police Chief Donald Johnston Jr. said that determination was made by a state police fire marshal. “We are conducting follow-up investigations with witnesses and neighbors,” Johnston said. The blaze swept through two Division Street homes Monday afternoon...
2 gunshot victims seek help at Pittsburgh hospital, EMS headquarters
Two men sought help early Tuesday at a Pittsburgh hospital and Pittsburgh EMS headquarters after being shot outside of the city, according to police. A 21-year-old man was dropped off at the Filbert Street EMS station in Shadyside around 3:30 a.m. Police said he had a gunshot wound to the...
Police: Pickup burned for insurance money in Fairfield
Two men are accused by state police of conspiring to set a pickup truck on fire in Fairfield in August so one of them could collect insurance money and purchase a new vehicle, according to court papers. Jerry A. Boring, 58, of Fairfield, got about $4,900 for his 1997 Dodge...
1 hurt, property damaged in Rankin as shots fired from moving car
State police are investigating after a woman was injured and a home and vehicle were damaged when numerous shots were fired from a moving car Thursday in Rankin. A person in a dark-colored car fired the shots around 10 p.m. while driving at high speeds following a white car along...
Pittsburgh Police investigating shooting that hurt 14-year-old boy
A 14-year-old boy was hospitalized Monday evening after Pittsburgh Police said he was shot in the ankle. Officers responded to a ShotSpotter alert in the 1200 block of Mohler Street near the Homewood North neighborhood around 8:50 p.m. Police said they weren’t able to find evidence of a crime scene...
Charges filed after June accidental drug overdose at apartments in North Huntingdon
A former North Huntingdon man was arrested last week after township police said he called 911 seeking medical attention for a neighbor but then refused to provide details about where the neighbor was, according to court papers. The neighbor, Adam R. Pascale, died of an accidental drug overdose. Police charged...
Armed person dies in Fawn after interaction with state police
A 50-year-old Fawn man died Monday morning after an interaction with state police, according to authorities. What police deemed an “officer involved shooting” was reported on Shamrock Lane, where troopers said they encountered an armed person, after responding to an incident there. Police said the armed person — later identified...
Operation Santa Claus hopes to feed 5,000 families this year
Inflation has been pushing grocery bills higher, and that means Operation Santa Claus will have to raise more money this year to be able to help Western Pennsylvania families in need. A holiday meal for a family of four that typically costs around $17.25 now is $20 or more, said...
Man killed in Washington County motorcycle crash
A Washington County man died Sunday evening after crashing the motorcycle he was driving just south of Finleyville, according to the Washington County Coroner. Frank Eckels, 54, of Carroll Township, was driving the motorcycle south just after 6:30 p.m. on Route 88 in Union Township when he crossed the center...
Unity man charged with homicide in Cassandra Gross disappearance
For 1,662 days, Kathe Gross waited for Thursday. It was the day state police charged the man they believe killed her daughter, Cassandra Gross, of Unity. Since April 9, 2018 — the day Kathe Gross reported her daughter missing — she pushed for homicide charges against Thomas G. Stanko, 52....
Fetterman’s health takes center stage at debate with Oz
All eyes on Pennsylvania on Tuesday night seemed to focus on the U.S. Senate debate between Democrat John Fetterman and Republican Dr. Mehmet Oz. Most of the attention focused on Fetterman’s health. “The two candidates differed sharply on multiple issues during the debate, held in a Harrisburg television studio. But...
Greensburg man sentenced for inappropriate sexual contact with girls
A Greensburg man was sentenced to five to 17 years in a state prison for inappropriate sexual contact with two girls. John Harry Patak III, 31, pleaded guilty Monday to several counts in two cases including attempted aggravated indecent assault of a child, indecent assault, child endangerment and corruption of...
Arnold man sentenced to 4 to 8 years in prison for 2019 shooting
An Arnold man was sentenced Monday to four to eight years in a state prison in connection with a 2019 shooting in the city. Jordan J. Johnson, 28, pleaded guilty in April to a weapons violation. Charges of aggravated assault and related offenses were dismissed, according to online court records....
First defendant sentenced for unlawful restraint of North Huntingdon teen
A Greene County man was sentenced to three and a half to seven years in a state prison Monday for his role in the kidnapping of a 17-year-old North Huntingdon resident last year. James K. Maskil, 28, of Graysville, pleaded guilty to unlawful restraint, criminal trespass and a weapons violation....
Allegheny Township man gets up to 73 years for multiple rapes
Three women who Eric A. Wright was convicted of sexually assaulting pleaded with Judge Meagan Bilik-DeFazio on Monday to hand down a harsh sentence, saying they feared he would continue racking up more victims if freed. “The man probably should never see the light of day again,” one said in...
No nails in this 18th century Windsor-style chair
One thing is missing from a Windsor-style chair that is on display at the Westmoreland Historical Society’s education center. “This is really very primitive. There’s no nails,” said Joanna T. Moyar, collections manager. The wooden chair, made in the late 18th century, is connected to Fort Walthour in North Huntingdon...
Youngwood’s Hospaws merging with similar program for pet care during human medical emergencies
Hospaws is ending its operations, but the Youngwood-based organization’s mission of providing temporary foster homes or assistance to pets whose owners are in need of medical care will continue, president Valerie Hoegel said. Many of the nonprofit’s volunteers and foster homes are going to work with a similar program managed...
North Huntingdon police make another arrest in undercover drug sting
North Huntingdon police made an arrest Thursday after an undercover drug buy of 1,000 stamp bags of suspected heroin/fentanyl, which was at least the second such arrest in eight days in the township. Keith E. Blackman, 30, who lists addresses in Jeannette and North Versailles, was being held at the...
Jeannette proposes complete tax exoneration for 2 Clay Avenue properties
Jeannette officials exonerated property taxes on two Clay Avenue properties, one of which was damaged in a fire in 2020, and are hoping two other governing bodies will follow suit. The owner of the neighboring parcels near the intersection of South Fifth Street — Minh Truong — is donating them...
1 killed in Westmoreland County crash
A Greensburg woman died at an Allegheny County hospital after being involved in a two-vehicle crash Wednesday in Hempfield. The Allegheny County Medical Examiner identified the victim as Patricia Blake, 71. The incident was reported at the intersection of Toll Route 66 and Business Route 66 at 5:40 p.m. State...
Long-awaited Sobel’s Obscure Brewery opening in Jeannette
The anticipation has been building for the past three years as Sobel’s Obscure Brewery chipped away at transforming an old Jeannette department store into a taproom. It’s finally here — the Clay Avenue space is opening Friday. Jackie Sobel, who co-owns the craft brewery with her father, David Sobel, said...
Unity man accused of shooting pellet gun at house, troopers
A Unity man who state troopers said shot a pellet gun at them Tuesday night was arrested on burglary and assault charges. Police said they heard Robert A. Reynolds, 60, shooting the pellet gun “in unknown directions” when they arrived at Cranberry Lane after a report of a break-in, according...
Case against Jeannette man will proceed in fatal stabbing, despite claims of self defense
Done with work for the day, Jasmine Ross and Antwone D. Thurston II were enjoying the evening of Sept. 26 on the porch of their shared Jeannette home. They were accompanied by a neighbor, but things turned sour when William Osselburn, 62, of Jeannette joined in, Ross said. Osselburn began...
Penn Hills woman charged after Murrysville drug sting
A Penn Hills woman was arrested Monday after police said she sold five bricks of suspected heroin/fentanyl to a confidential informant in Murrysville, according to court papers. Summer L. Kerley-Webster, 38, is facing drug and criminal use of a communication facility charges. Police from North Huntingdon and Murrysville were assisted...
