Tony LaRussa stories, Page 31
Avalon man faces charges after marijuana, THC-laced items found during traffic stop in Richland
A man from Avalon faces a felony drug charge after more than an ounce of marijuana and a variety of other cannabis products were discovered in his car during a traffic stop. In addition to a felony charge of possession with the intent to deliver drugs, Zachary Robert Bolen, 32,...
1 of 2 missing New Kensington teens back home, tips sought on 2nd missing girl
One of two runaway teenage girls that the New Kensington Police Department has been searching for has returned home safe. Monae Matthews, 15, who left home in March returned over the weekend, according to authorities. Police are still seeking the public’s helping locating the second girl, Sarah Chessario, 14, who...
Tarentum police responding to domestic incident charge woman with marijuana-growing operation
A Tarentum woman was accused of running a marijuana-growing operation out of her apartment after her boyfriend called police to report that she pointed a loaded pistol at him during an argument. Shaunnon Barnes, 39, of the 500 block of East Eighth Avenue, was charged with a felony count of...
Seventh Street Road in Upper Burrell reopened after fatal motorcycle accident
A 1-mile stretch of Seventh Street Road in Upper Burrell was shut down Friday afternoon while police investigated a fatal motorcycle accident, according to authorities. The accident occurred around 4 p.m. near the township’s volunteer fire department and was reported by a passing motorist, according to a Westmoreland County 911...
Police seek tips from public about 2 runaway teenage girls from New Kensington
The New Kensington Police Department is seeking the public’s help locating two runaway teenage girls. The cases are not related. • Police are searching for Sarah Chessario, 14, who is 5 feet 6 inches tall and weighs about 125 pounds. No clothing description for Chessario was available from investigators. Police...
Nature center program to replace lawns with wildlife habitat serves as ‘anti-grassroots’ campaign to improve environment
For many people, the lush green lawn and meticulously landscaped gardens surrounding their homes can be like a slice of heaven. But no matter how beautiful or verdant, when it comes to supporting the ecosystem, most lawns and gardens are hell on earth, experts say. To help combat what environmentalists...
Surveillance leads to Arnold man’s arrest; heroin, cocaine seized
Police arrested an Arnold man they had under surveillance because of multiple reports of drug dealing at his apartment and confiscated nearly 6 ounces of cocaine and an ounce of heroin. Westmoreland County District Attorney Nicole Ziccarelli announced this week that agents from her office, the state Attorney General’s Office...
Arnold woman charged with abusing puppy
An Arnold woman was arrested on Sunday after a police officer investigating a complaint at her home said he witnessed her throw a puppy across a room. Brittney Kinsey, 20, of the 1400 block of Fourth Avenue, was charged with a felony count of aggravated cruelty to animals and torture...
Police: Sting in Arnold leads to arrest of Homestead man with 2 ounces of cocaine
A man from Homestead faces felony drug dealing charges after Arnold police and narcotics agents said they arrested him with more than 2 ounces of cocaine in his vehicle. Marco Dane Crowe, 34, 0f the 100 block of West 10th Avenue, was charged with two felony counts of possession of...
Police: Pair arrested in Upper Burrell; crystal meth, $15K, stolen gun confiscated from home
Two people arrested at an Upper Burrell home face multiple felony drug and weapons charges after police said they found more than 2 ounces of crystal meth, a stolen handgun and other evidence of drug dealing during a search of the home. Djuan “Chiz” Osceola Williams, 42, of the 7000...
Faces of the Valley: New pastor of Natrona Heights Presbyterian brings experience, energy to leadership role
Rick Harbaugh concedes that there’s still a lot for him to learn about Natrona Heights Presbyterian Church and its parishioners as he fumbles for the correct switches to turn lights on in the nearly 100-year-old stone church on Broadview Boulevard. “I’m still finding my way around and learning things,” Harbaugh...
District attorney: Raid at Arnold house nets nearly $27K in cash and crystal meth
An Arnold man faces felony charges after narcotics agents and local police found more than $15,000 in cash and nearly $12,000 worth of crystal meth when they raided his home, according to Westmoreland County District Attorney Nicole Ziccarelli. Tyson Bargerstock, 36, of the 1600 block of Fourth Avenue, is charged...
Lawmaker calls on state to again reject application to draw water from Big Sewickley Creek for fracking
A lawmaker is once again asking Pennsylvania’s top environmental official to turn down a plan by PennEnergy Resources to draw millions of gallons of water a day from Big Sewickley Creek and one of its tributaries for fracking. In July, state Rep. Robert Matzie, D-16th, sent a letter to state...
Police: Tarentum couple accused of child abuse after 5-month-old found to have broken bones
A Tarentum couple has been accused of child abuse after a doctor treating their 5-month-old son for a shoulder injury told police the boy suffered 10 previous fractures for which he did not receive medical treatment. Ryan Scholl, 22, and Breanna Airgood, 26, of the 400 block of West Ninth...
Longvue Acres Garden Club hosting 72nd annual spring plant sale
The Longvue Acres Garden Club is playing host to its 72nd annual spring perennial plant sale, featuring more than 500 plants grown by members and donated for sale. The cash-only plant sale will be held from 9 a.m. to noon on May 14 — rain or shine — in the...
Pine-Richland football players collect food to help needy families prepare Easter dinner
Members of the Pine-Richland football program recently teamed up with volunteers from a local charitable group to collect and distribute food to help 50 needy families prepare an Easter dinner. The players helped raise money to buy food and volunteered at Bakerstown Alliance Church in Richland on April 11 to...
Pair face hundreds of animal cruelty charges after nearly 50 horses found starving in West Deer
Close to 300 charges were filed against the owners of nearly 50 horses, donkeys and a pig that humane agents said were starving, had serious medical problems and were living in squalid conditions in a West Deer barn. Authorities who visited the property to confiscate the neglected animals said they...
Police say evidence supports Lower Burrell woman’s claim boyfriend tried to run her down
A Lower Burrell man was charged with felony aggravated assault after, police said, evidence supported his girlfriend’s accusation that he tried to run her over with his pickup several times during a dispute. In addition to the felony charge, Bruno F. Nobilese, 55, of the 400 block of Chicago Avenue...
Couple accused of monitoring kids with cameras, keeping food, bathrooms locked up get tentative plea deal
A tentative plea agreement has been worked out for an Allegheny Township couple charged in early February with multiple felonies after their three children told police they were under near-constant video surveillance and most of the food in the house is kept locked up. Leann Marie Lawson, 35, and Nevin...
It’s just about blooming time for North Park’s cherry blossoms
Each spring, the drab colors of fall and winter are overtaken in North Park by vibrant hues of pink, as the blooms on hundreds of cherry trees planted in the park since 2009 begin flowering. But exactly when the dramatic transformation will happen is a mystery. “We’ve got our best...
Police: Former worker charged with bakery burglary didn’t know security cameras were installed
A former employee of a Pine bakery faces multiple felony counts after police say he burglarized the business three months after quitting, unaware that security cameras had been installed after his departure. Lloyd R. McCoy III, 53, of Latonka Drive in Cool Springs Township, Mercer County, was charged by the...
Man accused of running from Tarentum traffic stop, leaving toddler behind, faces multiple felony charges
A Wilmerding man faces multiple felony charges in connection with two incidents in Tarentum, including one in which police said he ran off and left his toddler son behind when the car he was riding in was pulled over for traffic violations. Vern Alexander Connor, 40, of the 100 block...
Police: Drug charges filed against West Deer man who said disturbance was reaction to attack by demons
A West Deer man faces a felony drug charge after telling police he woke his neighbors at 2 a.m. because he was being attacked by white demons with black eyes, authorities said. Donald A. Cowfer Jr., 34, of Tarentum-Culmerville Road was charged with felony possession of drugs with the intent...
Police: Ford City man faces felonies for hitting neighbor in head with baseball bat
A man told Ford City police that he was hit in the head with a baseball bat when he went to a neighbor’s house to retrieve items from his former girlfriend. Benjamin Peter Space, 45, of the 700 block of Fourth Avenue in Ford City, faces charges of aggravated assault...
Police: Public’s help needed to locate missing teen girl last seen in Sheraden
Detectives from the Pittsburgh police Special Victim Unit is asking the public for help locating a missing teenage girl. Oujanea Jones, 17, was last seen at 5 p.m. on Sunday in the 3000 block of Glen Mawr Street in the city’s Sheraden neighborhood. Jones is as 5-feet 5-inches tall and...
