Renatta Signorini stories, Page 21
4 juveniles charged, staff members injured in riot at Fairfield youth facility
Four juveniles are charged as adults in connection with what police described as a riot that caused significant damage at a Fairfield youth facility. State Trooper Steve Limani said more charges are likely as police continue to examine surveillance video from Outside In School of Experiential Learning. The chaos started...
Man struck by plow truck in Hempfield parking lot
A man hit by a pickup truck clearing snow from a Hempfield orthopedics office parking lot Monday morning is expected to survive his injuries, according to state Trooper Steve Limani. The 74-year-old man was walking in the parking lot on Pellis Road just before 8 a.m. when a Chevrolet Silverado,...
Although the building is gone, former Monsour hospital workers retain ‘family’ foundation
Editor’s note: “From the archive” is a recurring series highlighting vintage photos submitted by community members or gathered from the Tribune-Review’s files. If you have a photo you would like to see featured here, please contact gtrcity@triblive.com. In its heyday, Monsour Medical Center was ahead of its time, said Deborah...
4 homicides logged in Westmoreland County in 2024, but more cases pending
There were four confirmed homicide deaths in Westmoreland County in 2024, but that figure could rise as officials are awaiting rulings in a few more cases. Coroner Tim Carson said the four cases involve: • Diana Rebold, 73, of New Kensington. Her son Brian Rebold, 38, has been deemed competent...
‘Lockerbie’ TV series draws criticism from families of plane crash victims
Families of those killed when a bomb destroyed Pan Am Flight 103 over Lockerbie, Scotland, are pushing back against a television drama series about the terrorist attack. That includes Glenn Johnson of Hempfield whose daughter, Beth Ann, a senior at Seton Hill University, was on her way home from a...
Westmoreland DA says no charges will be filed in June shooting of Daniel Chicka in Export
No criminal charges will be filed in connection with a June fatal shooting in Export after investigators ruled it self defense, Westmoreland County District Attorney Nicole Ziccarelli said in a statement. Video evidence provided to investigators showed Daniel Chicka, 65, and Matthew Allen Miller, 32, were involved in an argument...
AHN Cancer Institute Hempfield moves radiation services to Monroeville
Cancer patients of Allegheny Health Network undergoing radiation therapy will no longer be served at AHN Cancer Institute Hempfield. The move, effective Tuesday, means patients will be directed to the cancer center at AHN Forbes Hospital in Monroeville, according to a statement from the health care system. The Hempfield location,...
Latrobe father in ‘prison of grief’ after son’s drug overdose, he tells judge at drug dealer’s sentencing
Robert J. Verscharen helped his mother pick out flowers every spring and summer and hang suet cakes for birds in the fall. Now, Carole and Robert S. Verscharen mourn their son daily, after he died from a drug overdose nearly four years ago. “I continue to talk with him now...
Extending a life story: Westmoreland coroner’s office joins effort to encourage organ donation
Even though her father isn’t a phone call away anymore, Cassidy Gamble knows his kind nature is still making an impact on others. James Forish became a tissue donor after his Aug. 1 death, allowing his life to continue on in a different sort of way, helping to heal others....
Volunteer shortage compels Kecksburg ambulance service to close
Kecksburg Rescue Ambulance Service is set to answer its final call. The volunteer-based ambulance service, believed to be the last of its kind in Westmoreland County, will cease operations in Mt. Pleasant Township. Its last day in service will be Dec. 31. Longtime chief Maureen Hutter said it has been...
Steelers vs. Ravens: What they’re saying in Baltimore after win
By soundly defeating the Pittsburgh Steelers on Saturday, the Baltimore Ravens achieved two goals, head coach John Harbaugh told reporters after the game. The first goal — win the game, which they did with a score of 34-17 before 71,313 fans at M&T Bank Stadium. The second goal — make...
Greensburg’s Nevin ice arena seeing more skaters than ever since its renovation
A record number of skaters has been hitting the ice in the 16 months since Greensburg completed a $3 million renovation of its Kirk S. Nevin ice arena. Parks and recreation superintendent Glenn Moyer said there are more teams than ever competing with the Westmoreland Hockey Association. “We’ve seen outstanding...
Jeannette OKs $6.2M budget
Jeannette Council has adopted a $6.2 million budget for 2025 that includes no increase in property taxes. The budget calls for spending $2.25 million on the police department, $614,000 on the fire department and $522,000 on the streets department. “There’ll be no tax increase for the citizens of Jeannette,” said...
Hempfield will engage AI system to evaluate need for road work
Hempfield is tapping into technology to get a better understanding of the condition of its 300 miles of roads. Township supervisors on Wednesday approved a five-year agreement with Vialytics that officials said will help them prioritize roads in need of improvements. Township manager Aaron Siko said the software will help...
Hempfield nixes plan for ‘fire tax,’ maintains 3-mill tax rate for 35th straight year
For the 35th consecutive year, the millage rate in Hempfield will stay at 3 mills in 2025. Township supervisors Wednesday unanimously approved the $17 million spending plan for next year. The millage rate has been unchanged since 1990. “We are pleased to provide a balanced budget going into 2025 with...
Witness intimidation charges related to Rostraver shooting will go to trial
Anthony M. Hairston wasn’t using Facebook to intimidate a witness against him in a Rostraver fatal shooting, his attorney argued Tuesday. Hairston had asked his girlfriend post pictures of the witness’ statement to police on his Facebook page but he was only thinking about strategy as his homicide trial was...
North Huntingdon man accused of charging for lacrosse camp that wasn’t held
A North Huntingdon man was arrested last week on state police accusations that he took money from three people who registered their children for a lacrosse training camp but never held the event. Christopher Langlais, 46, who also lists a Monroeville address in court records, is charged with taking $2,350...
Former state trooper charged with stealing from Home Depot stores
A former state trooper was arrested Friday on police accusations that he stole $2,000 worth of merchandise from two Home Depot stores. Investigators said John Robert Tamewitz, 59, of Penn Township removed stickers from online orders he picked up in-store, put the stickers on other merchandise and took the items...
Herminie man charged with arson in September fire at his residence
State police believe a Herminie man set the house where he was living on fire during an argument, according to court papers. Timothy James Gillin, 50, was arrested last week on arson and related charges. In court papers, a state police fire marshal said witnesses reported Gillin left the house...
‘Anything you want’: Granddaughter of Elizabeth Pollard, troopers connect again for toy spree
Serenity Pollard had a big smile on her face when she dropped two Barbie dolls into her shopping cart. She beamed when she grabbed toys featuring cartoon character Bluey off a shelf at the Hempfield Walmart Monday. The 5-year-old girl’s grin was contagious as she pedaled a bicycle around the...
About 600 children paired with police officers for $75K Christmas shopping spree
Serenitie Johnston basked in the makeup aisles at Unity Walmart Wednesday, gathering up a lip plumper, red lipstick and brightly colored eye shadow palette. “This way!” the 11-year-old girl exclaimed as state police Lt. Lauren Spallone followed behind with a full shopping cart. While Serenitie was in her element, Spallone...
Greensburg approves $13M budget that includes 3.3% property tax hike
Property tax bills will increase 3.3% to fund a 2025 Greensburg budget that was approved this week by a divided city council. Aside from a 1-mill tax approved by voters in 2017 that is designated for the Greensburg Hempfield Area Library and a 1-mill charge that since 2022 is designated...
Jeannette puts wheels in motion to replace 21-year-old dump truck
Jeannette council is expected to vote Thursday on the purchase of a new dump truck, but it likely won’t be available until next winter. “The need for replacing this 5-ton truck is a necessity now,” said city manager Ethan Keedy. Mayor Curtis Antoniak said the truck is 21 years old....
Major upgrades to be completed next year at Jeannette’s Ebara Elliot Energy, company says
Ebara Elliot Energy is undergoing major electrical upgrades at its U.S. headquarters in Jeannette. Once work is completed next year, Ebara Elliott Energy will be able to test compressors and electrical equipment up to 100 megawatts, placing its testing capacity among the largest in the world, said company spokeswoman Meagan...
Greensburg police sell guns long held in storage at station
Greensburg police are selling four long guns that were seized in a criminal case years ago, said police Chief Charles Irvin. City council on Monday unanimously approved selling the firearms to Hufftown Highpower in South Greensburg for $1,660. Irvin said the guns were ordered by a judge to be used...
