Renatta Signorini stories, Page 85
New Westmoreland County row officers, district judges, sworn in
There’s a full slate of court proceedings waiting for Rebecca Calisti Tyburski in her first week as district judge in Harrison City. She’s excited to get started Monday after weeks of learning the ropes with help from District Judge Helen Kistler, who is retiring from the Penn Township seat. “She...
Jeannette council approves raising residential garbage rates
Residential garbage rates in Jeannette are set to rise through 2026 after council on Tuesday approved a proposal from Mayor Curtis Antoniak. Current monthly trash collection rates are $16.67, and that will jump to $20 starting in 2022. The monthly price will be $25 by 2026 with incremental increases annually,...
Diversity, inclusivity topics in Westmoreland Community Action survey
A survey open through Feb. 22 will help Westmoreland Community Action determine how the agency can help with issues related to diversity and inclusiveness. Welcoming Westmoreland is a project the Greensburg-based agency and other groups are undertaking in an effort to foster growth and development through diverse cultures that exist...
Belle Vernon man accused of attempted Christmas burglary in Rostraver
A Belle Vernon man is behind bars after police said he attempted to break into a home in Rostraver on Christmas with his young child in tow, according to court papers. Scott Michael Shetter, 29, is charged with attempted burglary, aggravated assault, terroristic threats, resisting arrest and criminal mischief. He...
Santa’s on his way: Here’s how to track him
All eyes are on the guy dressed in red and white. It’s time for Santa Claus to shine, and there are a few ways to track his gift-giving progress — with the help of nine flying reindeer, Rudolph included of course — before he makes it to rooftops across Southwestern...
10-year-old dons elf suit to spread Christmas cheer at Unity personal care home
A young beacon of the holiday spirit made sure residents at a Unity personal care home felt loved during a special visit Thursday. Dora Runyon, 86, exclaimed when William Gunther, 10, handed her a small elephant stuffed animal, one of 150 he purchased to hand out to those spending Christmas...
Former Penn Township policeman cited for hunting violations
A retired Penn Township policeman was cited by the state game commission this month for five summary hunting violations. Authorities said Augustine DeGuffroy, 66, illegally shot an antlerless deer on Dec. 1 along Richmond Drive in Penn Township. DeGuffroy, a township resident, did not have a hunting license at the...
Bicyclist seriously injured in South Huntingdon, driver charged with DUI
A Sewickley Township woman is accused by state police of being under the influence of controlled substances when she hit a bicyclist, seriously injuring him, according to court papers filed last week. Kimberly Lynn Kustra, 46, is charged with aggravated assault by vehicle while driving under the influence and related...
Greensburg man dies after being hit by vehicle in Jeannette
A Greensburg man died Tuesday after being hit by a vehicle in Jeannette, according to police Chief Donald Johnston Jr. and the Allegheny County Medical Examiner. Ronald Momeyer, 65, was in a cross walk on Claridge-Elliott Road heading into work at Elliott Group at 6:15 a.m. Monday when he was...
Duquesne man jailed after 135 mph chase in Derry Township
A Duquesne man was jailed this week on fleeing and related charges filed by state police in connection with a 135 mph chase that started in Derry Township earlier this year. Bail for Nicholas D. Lomax, 28, was set at $100,000. Troopers said they were stationed on Route 22 in...
At-home test could prove crucial in tamping down spread of covid-19, experts say
Editor’s note: This story first published on Dec. 20, 2021. Sue Lovgren’s family member was sick with covid-like symptoms the week after Thanksgiving, and they had decisions to make, depending on what the result was. “We were waiting on a PCR test and it was taking too much time, and...
Blighted old brewery complex in Jeannette the ‘last big piece’ to city’s rebuild
Bob and Lola Barton see the decrepit remains of the former Fort Pitt Brewery every time they leave home. The West Jeannette couple said the crumbling, red-brick complex attracts rodents and troublemaking kids who have thrown rocks from the roof. The Bartons have lived on 11th Street for about 25...
Sewickley Township man accused of money laundering in insurance check scheme
A Sewickley Township man is accused by state police of taking a $5,200 insurance check belonging to a woman who was in jail after another man wrecked her vehicle, according to court papers. John R. Hyatt, 47, is charged with money laundering, forgery and theft. He was arraigned Wednesday and...
Police: Boy, 17, facing charges after assault at Ligonier Valley High School
A 17-year-old boy is being charged with simple assault and harassment through juvenile court after assaulting another student at Ligonier Valley High School this week, according to Police Chief John Berger. The boy punched and kicked a 16-year-old boy in the lobby around noon Tuesday at the Ligonier Township school,...
Police accuse 21-year-old Hempfield man of fathering child with 15-year-old girl
A 21-year-old Hempfield man is behind bars after state police said he fathered a child with a 15-year-old girl, according to court papers. Tristin M. Huffine was arrested Tuesday on a charge of statutory sexual assault. Troopers received a Childline report in March in which they were notified that the...
Greensburg man scammed church out of money, police said
A Greensburg man is accused of taking money from a church and a grocery store when cashing a check from a second church, according to police. Anthony Lawrence McGeachy, 46, of Greensburg, is charged with theft and bad checks in two cases. “We understand that this time of year, there...
Man rescued during smoky fire conditions at East Huntingdon town home
Firefighters rescued a man from an East Huntingdon townhome Tuesday morning after smoke filled the upstairs. A small fire that started in a bedroom appeared to be accidental, said Christopher Brinker, East Huntingdon’s second assistant fire chief. It may have been sparked by a candle, he said, but state police...
2 men accused in North Huntingdon kidnapping
North Huntingdon police arrested two men Monday who they said were involved with the kidnapping of a 17-year-old township resident during the weekend, according to court papers. Karrar F. Al Hilali, 39, of West Mifflin and James Keith Maskil, 28, of Graysville, Greene County, are charged with kidnapping, conspiracy, burglary,...
Jeannette could turn to credit agency to collect unpaid property maintenance fines
Scofflaws who ignore quality of life tickets from Jeannette soon could find themselves hounded by a collection agency. City officials are looking over a potential contract with Creditech to collect fines from the tickets that are aimed at property maintenance violations, such as furniture in yards and junk vehicles. Tickets...
W.Va. man subject of PFA jailed on stalking charge after being at Loyalhanna home
A West Virginia man is being held without bail in the Westmoreland County Prison after state police said he showed up at the Loyalhanna home of a woman who has a protection from abuse order against him. Antonio Michael Jeneskee, 22, of Follansbee, is charged with stalking. Troopers were called...
Jeannette to save $185K by refinancing bond debt
Jeannette will save $185,000 by refinancing a 2016 bond, according to chief fiscal officer Ethan Keedy. Council approved the measure Thursday. Keedy said the savings will be put into the capital reserve fund. There is about $2.7 million remaining to repay through April 2033 with an interest rate ranging between...
Jeannette businesses won’t get American Rescue Plan cash for now, officials say
Jeannette will not be offering businesses American Rescue Plan funding, at least for now. A measure that would’ve created an application process was rejected by council Thursday 3-2. Councilwoman Robin Mozley, who had requested the item be placed on the agenda, and Councilman Chuck Highlands cast the affirmative votes. Mozley...
Elliott Group steps up to pay for Jeannette police camera lease for 2 years
The cost of dash and body cameras for the Jeannette Police Department will be paid for by Elliott Group for the first two years of a five-year lease. The donation was a surprise to city officials, who discussed this week adding the measure of protection for $15,700 annually. Council on...
Jeannette passes budget with no property tax increase
Jeannette Council passed a 2022 spending plan that does not raise property taxes, according to chief fiscal officer Ethan Keedy. The $6 million budget anticipates the city will get about $1.9 million in property taxes. The costliest departments are police at $2.2 million, trash collection at $998,000, the fire department...
Jeannette officials consider raising residential garbage rates
Jeannette council is considering raising residential garbage rates. Just how much remains to be seen. The group on Tuesday discussed potential amounts with no firm decision. They could vote on the measure at a council meeting Dec. 28. The sanitation department’s 2022 budget shows a decrease in expected net profit...
