Renatta Signorini stories, Page 9
Jeannette man on motorized bicycle killed in late-night crash
Debris from a wrecked car helped state police home in on a potential suspect in a Thursday night hit-and-run that killed a Jeannette man who was riding an e-bike. State Trooper Steve Limani said although troopers didn’t immediately have witnesses to the crash, they did find vehicle parts at the...
Ex state prison in Hempfield being reduced to rubble
The former SCI Greensburg state prison property has caught the eye of potential developers. As a result, Westmoreland County and Hempfield officials don’t think they’ll have much difficulty getting the 94-acre property off their hands once demolition is done. “It’s well-positioned property, it’s a big site,” said Jason Rigone, director...
Derry Township man charged in 2007 slaying accused of having drugs at prison
A Derry Township man awaiting trial in a 2007 homicide was arraigned Thursday on new police accusations that he had drugs at the Westmoreland County Prison. Charles Earl Ream, 55, was charged by county detectives this week with possession of contraband and conspiracy. Authorities said in court papers that June...
Hempfield Park set to get additional bathrooms and concession stand
The Hempfield supervisors have approved the $277,000 purchase of a prefabricated building that will be installed at Hempfield Park. The building will house bathrooms and a concession stand, said Marissa Haynes, director of parks and recreation. The supervisors on Monday approved buying the building from CXT in a 4-1 vote...
Charges dropped after Kentucky woman pays restitution in Donegal Township B&B case
A Kentucky woman is no longer facing criminal charges after authorities said she paid restitution to the owners of a Donegal Township bed-and-breakfast. Samantha Nicole Brown, 35, of Louisville, had been accused of stealing an antique wooden bar from Baneberry Meadows Bed & Breakfast. Felony charges of theft and receiving...
Clock is ticking on Menards site plan approval in Hempfield
Home improvement store chain Menards has been put on notice — the site plan for a new store Hempfield supervisors approved almost five years ago is nearing its expiration date. Township officials this month sent a letter to the company’s properties division warning the plan will expire if construction doesn’t...
Coroner releases identity of man who died by suicide during Ligonier Township traffic stop
A Ligonier Township man died by suicide Saturday during a traffic stop, according to the Westmoreland County coroner. Jeffrey J. Sierocky, 52, had a self-inflicted gunshot wound, according to information released Tuesday, three days after the incident along Route 30 near Baywood Road in Ligonier Township. Ligonier Valley Police initiated...
Free legal clinic in Greensburg to help families with custody and school law issues
prepare for the upcoming school year, Westmoreland County’s legal aid A free clinic in Greensburg focused on custody and school-related legal issues is being planned for Aug. 1 and participants can get private consultations with local attorneys volunteering their time. Panelists will be on hand to discuss general information about...
SummerSounds welcomes youngest-ever performer to open St. Clair Park showVideo
If Laura Rullo was nervous to play in front of what was likely the 14-year-old musician’s largest audience Friday, she didn’t show it. She smiled, confidently strummed her guitar and added her own powerful vocal flair to songs that were popular long before she was born. Sprinkling in some of...
Jayhawk Commons retail space planned at former Monsour Medical Center property along Route 30
Work on a commercial space at the former Monsour Medical Center property in Jeannette is expected to begin next year, officials said. The retail complex would be accompanied by more than 30 nearby town homes, a project city officials hope will spur additional development. Developer Don Tarosky Jr., chief operating...
Florida man sentenced for role in string of burglaries
A Florida man was sentenced to two-and-a-half to 20 years in a state prison this month in connection with a spree of distraction burglaries in the area, including two in Westmoreland County. Steve Nichols, 57, previously pleaded guilty to burglary, theft and related charges in connection with seven burglaries in...
Additional theft charges filed against Latrobe attorney John Allen Roth
Additional theft charges were filed Wednesday against a Latrobe attorney who is awaiting trial on police accusations that he stole $31,300 from an elderly jail inmate and used the money to gamble at a casino. John Allen Roth, 70, is accused in three new cases of taking $7,735 from clients...
Time to fix Greensburg’s courthouse square clock — getting it back in sync on all 4 sides
Depending on which way you look, the clock at Greensburg’s courthouse square might have the right time. Or it might not. The four-sided clock is slated for repairs as the original timepiece appears to be broken, said Tom Bell, streets superintendent. Greensburg Council voted unanimously Monday to spend $5,600 on...
Police: Greensburg man was drinking before crash that injured passenger, causing severe head injury
A Greensburg man is accused by police of being intoxicated during a vehicle crash in Unity last year that seriously hurt his passenger, according to court papers. John Charles Wallish IV, 21, was charged last week with aggravated assault by vehicle while driving under the influence, reckless endangerment and related...
Fire-damaged vacant building in Jeannette back in city’s hands
The fate of a fire-damaged building on Clay Avenue in Jeannette is back in the hands of taxpayers. Council on Thursday unanimously approved rescinding the transfer of the property after a sale apparently fell through. In January 2024, council approved transferring 416-418 Clay Ave. to the Jeannette Redevelopment Authority and...
Making Strides: Westmoreland horse show blends competition with compassion
Jillian Masciantonio spent most of the weekend multitasking. She handed out ribbons to winning horse handlers in a show arena at the Westmoreland Fairgrounds under a blazing July sun. She listened for her name on a radio in between taking questions from a reporter to make sure the Summer Showcase...
Ohio woman charged in Murrysville bank fraud scheme
An Ohio woman police believe is part of an organized crime group is accused of involvement in a check cashing scheme in Murrysville, according to authorities. State police released surveillance photos of the suspect last month, seeking help identifying her in connection with the theft of $5,400 in a fraud...
Jeannette police to patrol highrise
City police will begin patrolling Jeannette Manor after council approved an agreement with the Westmoreland County Housing Authority. Jeannette Police Chief Derek Manley said he thinks the move will boost relationships with residents and deter crime. “I feel that it’s a big benefit for the department and the residents both,”...
Western Pa. and state police combine efforts to address speeding, aggressive driving
Cresting the hill on Route 51 in Rostraver, some traffic appeared to be ignoring the 45 mph speed limit Tuesday morning near the Darr Road intersection. State trooper Bryan McKee sat in an unmarked patrol unit with the driver’s window down, checking speeds with a radar gun. Some motorists heading...
State police cite former Jeannette mayoral candidate for attaching signs to utility poles
It’s hard to miss them on a drive around Jeannette — the yellow signs with black lettering seem to be everywhere. But the signs’ campaign-related message is about 50 days beyond relevance, and, according to state police, a potential danger from the dozens of metal tacks and staples used to...
1 killed, another injured in North Huntingdon construction accident
A construction worker was killed Tuesday after he was run over by a vehicle at a Route 993 bridge rehabilitation project in North Huntingdon, according to police Chief Robert Rizzo. Brian Keefer, 53, of Indian Head, Fayette County, was identified by police as the worker who was killed. A second...
State police release details of fatal Derry Township crash
A Derry Township woman was killed in a crash last month, state police said in a news release issued Tuesday. Betty J. Stamm, 89, was driving a Honda Accord on Route 982 at 2:30 p.m. June 1 in Derry Township when troopers said the car went off the road, hit...
State’s outdoor recreation plan sets template for millions of dollars in upgrades at parks
Visitors to Southwestern Pennsylvania’s state parks — from the highly visible to the less visited — will see improvements over the coming months and years. Regular upgrades are an important part of park management, a collaborative effort led by the state Department of Conservation and Natural Resources. “This approach helps...
Tens of thousands line Latrobe’s streets for Independence Day, a tradition started in 1969
Renae Battaglia has claimed a prime spot on a Latrobe street corner for four decades to watch the Independence Day parade wind through town. She’s seen her four children march from the intersection at Ligonier and Weldon streets and, on Friday, she watched her husband and two grandsons participate in...
Arrest made in road rage incident on Route 66 in Salem
State police on Thursday arrested a man hours after they say he rammed another vehicle in Salem on Route 66, injuring four people, including one who was taken to a hospital. Cody A. Salensky, 26, did not have a valid drivers license because it had previously been suspended for an...
