Renatta Signorini stories, Page 12
At UPMC’s Stroke Camp, survivors build their skills and strut their stuff
After getting a little help with his footing, Jay Perino used his legs to push his body up the rock wall, reaching for the closest handhold. For someone with limited mobility on the left side of his body as a result of a stroke, it was no easy feat. Must...
Greensburg seeks bubble gum lovers for shot at world record
Hundreds of bubble gum blowers are needed in Greensburg in an effort to break a world record. The Greensburg Business & Professional Association is hoping to get at least 1,200 people to converge Saturday on downtown in an attempt to top the record for the most people blowing a chewing...
Jury finds Oakmont rape suspect not guilty
An Oakmont man was acquitted by a jury this week of rape and sexual assault charges involving a teenage girl. Jurors spent about four hours deliberating Wednesday in the case against Jeffrey Thomas McMeekin, 63, according to a court order. He was found not guilty of 21 counts including rape,...
Ex-girlfriend testifies accused police shooter stole her Jeep, handgun
Tiffany Haten of Monroeville had been trying for weeks in October and November 2023 to get her Jeep Patriot back from her ex-boyfriend. She was unsuccessful through text messages and phone calls to Bruce Alvarado, 40, to get him to return the vehicle or a new handgun she bought. “I...
Separate charges dropped in Washington County for man accused in Rostraver killing
A man accused of killing a Rostraver woman is no longer facing charges in an unrelated Washington County case, according to court records. Burglary, robbery and related charges against Dorian Jeri-Greene, 39, were dismissed Wednesday during his preliminary hearing in Washington County district court, according to court records. A woman...
Murrysville lawyer accused of bilking elderly client dies from self-inflicted gunshot
A suspended Murrysville attorney who was accused of stealing $312,000 from a client died Wednesday, four days after authorities said he sustained a self-inflicted gunshot wound as they tried to arrest him on theft charges. The Allegheny County Medical Examiner’s Office confirmed that Robert C. Klingensmith, 61, of Murrysville died...
Canada geese being treated at Youngwood rehab center after suffering fishing line injuries
Six Canada geese, including two who lived at Twin Lakes Park, have been treated in recent days at a Youngwood wildlife rehabilitation organization for injuries related to discarded fishing line. The severe injuries are typically the result of fishing line being wrapped tightly around their legs, said Beth Shoaf, executive...
Passenger testifies Bruce Alvarado was shooting at police after 2023 car chase
Amber Barkhamer wanted out of the stolen Jeep Patriot. Police were chasing the SUV with their sirens blaring and lights flashing while Bruce Alvarado, 40, stayed on the road, dodging other motorists and weaving in and out of traffic, she testified Tuesday. “He said he wasn’t going to jail today,”...
Trial opens in shooting of Monroeville police officer after 2023 chase
A couple of seconds after a lengthy police chase ended in a collision with a stolen Jeep Patriot, Monroeville Patrolman Craig Huhn came under gunfire. “By the second gunshot, I could identify that I was being shot at,” he testified Monday. The SUV collided with the Ford Explorer patrol unit...
Police: Missing Greensburg woman returns home
A Greensburg woman has returned home after being missing for nearly two days, according to Police Chief Charles Irvin. Lisa Slavnik, 48, returned home Tuesday night. Irvin said she appeared to be safe. Police would not release any other details. No one answered the door at Slavnik’s house Wednesday morning....
Murrysville attorney wounded by self-inflicted gunshot during arrest, police sayVideo
A suspended attorney had an apparent self-inflicted gunshot wound at his Murrysville office as police tried to take him into custody on theft charges, according to authorities. A search warrant was served around 5:30 p.m. Saturday at the office of Robert C. Klingensmith on Old William Penn Highway just outside...
Hostetter man gets jail sentence in underage corruption case after judge cites prior record
Judge Timothy Krieger rejected a Hostetter man’s plea for a house arrest sentence Friday, instead handing him a jail term for incidents in 2020 involving two teenage girls. “I appreciate that,” Krieger said to Glenn D. Jones Jr., 26, who told the judge he previously did well on house arrest...
Greensburg man sentenced for sexual assault of boy
A Greensburg man was sentenced Friday to 12 to 24 years in a state prison for the sexual assault of a 3-year-old boy. James A. Swanson, 48, was ordered to spend three years on probation after the prison term is over. He was convicted in March of rape and involuntary...
Jeannette shooting victim describes chaotic scene, gunfire that led to death of young mother
As Cortez McClendon was getting food out of a refrigerator, he felt the gunshots. He was hit with bullets five times, three of which remain lodged in his body, before falling to the floor of the Jeannette home on June 9, 2023. McClendon testified Friday that he remembered seeing Briana...
New Kensington man now faces death penalty if convicted in death of 2-year-old
Attorneys are now hoping to try a death penalty case against a New Kensington man in November as a Westmoreland County judge is keeping a close eye on the progress of the 5-year-old prosecution. Judge Scott Mears directed prosecution and defense attorneys to discuss with their experts the possibility of...
Hearing set in North Huntingdon high-speed crash
A hearing for prosecutors to lay out some of their evidence is being scheduled in the case against a North Huntingdon man accused of driving 90 mph last year before colliding with another vehicle, seriously injuring its driver. Assistant District Attorney Anthony Iannamorelli said Friday he expects testimony to take...
Cleanup of former Fort Pitt Brewery site in West Jeannette continues after boost in federal funding
Demolition work at the former Fort Pitt Brewery site in West Jeannette is expected to wrap up in the next few months as officials prepare for an environmental assessment later this year. The decrepit buildings are gone, but remaining work includes cleaning up and spreading dirt, said Brian Lawrence, director...
Maintenance plan review underway for Hempfield public works equipment
Hempfield Supervisor Jay Anderson is pushing for a public works fleet maintenance plan to be established as the board approved spending an unexpected $174,000 to buy a new day cab tractor. The vehicle is used to haul a trailer and heavy public works equipment such as a paver or excavator....
Murrysville attorney accused of bilking more than $300K from elderly client
A Murrysville attorney who ran unsuccessfully for district judge in 2023 was charged Thursday with stealing about $312,000 from an elderly client. An arrest warrant was issued for Robert C. Klingensmith, 61, on three counts of theft and a single count of financial exploitation of an older adult. He did...
Arnold man ruled incompetent for trial in 2024 home invasion, rape
An Arnold man was deemed incompetent Thursday to stand trial in an attempted homicide and rape case. Cue Anthony Freckleton, 29, will be sent from the Westmoreland County jail to Torrance State Hospital in Derry Township for treatment in an effort to restore competency, Judge Scott Mears ordered. “The doctor...
Northmont flood control project in Greensburg draws some critics
The engineer on a proposed flood control project in Greensburg said he plans to take resident concerns to state and federal officials. But whether those concerns are enough to change the project design remains to be seen. About a dozen residents participated in an informational meeting on the project Wednesday....
Blairsville woman charged in 2024 fatal Derry Township crash
A Blairsville woman was arrested Tuesday in connection with a 2024 fatal crash in Derry Township. State police charged Ashley L. Kelley, 33, with homicide by vehicle, reckless endangerment, driving under the influence and related offenses. She tested positive for marijuana after the crash, according to troopers. State police said...
Retired Greensburg cop Regina McAtee sentenced to 36 months’ probation
A retired Greensburg police officer was sentenced Tuesday to 36 months’ probation in a drug conspiracy case that involved the city’s former police chief. Regina McAtee, 52, of New Kensington pleaded guilty in May 2024 to conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute methamphetamine. “Ms. McAtee, I think...
Hempfield solar farm gets green light
A Colorado firm’s plans to construct a solar system farm in Hempfield were approved by supervisors last week. Bear Peak Hempfield intends to build a 3,000 kilowatt facility on an 86-acre property off Penn Valley Road, said Matthew Pernelli, township planning manager. “It will be distributing the power to West...
Hempfield plans work to improve safety along Route 66
Improved safety measures are coming for two sections of Business Route 66 in Hempfield, as well as a park in the north end of the township. Supervisors on Wednesday awarded a contract to Penn Line Service, Inc. for $125,000. Hempfield received $140,000 in funding from PennDOT’s Automated Red Light Enforcement...
