Renatta Signorini stories, Page 22
Altoona thrust into spotlight after suspect in UnitedHealthcare’s CEO’s killing nabbed at McDonald’s
ALTOONA — Karen Townsley praised the McDonald’s employee who reported to police Monday suspicions that a customer was the man being sought by New York City authorities in the fatal shooting of UnitedHealthcare’s CEO. “I was pretty shocked,” she said. “I thought he was probably from New York City.” The...
‘Part of history going down’ as tower at former Fort Pitt Brewery razed in West JeannetteVideo
Colleen Ott stepped into the cold from her West Jeannette home Friday morning to get a good look at history happening on her street. She raised her cellphone to take a picture of an eight-story brick tower at the former Fort Pitt Brewery site being torn to pieces. She’s been...
Irwin church gives new life to Westmoreland family court waiting area
A few people had honest words Thursday about the previous state of a waiting room outside family court at the Westmoreland County Courthouse: outdated, dreary, worn and a collection of random things. But thanks to Calvary Church in Irwin, those descriptive words are all positive after a $10,000 renovation project....
Ohio man charged with stalking 1 day after release on similar charge
Hours after being released from jail Monday for stalking singer Lacey Sturm in Murrysville, an Ohio man was back behind bars after he showed up at the woman’s home, according to court papers. Anthony A. Carpenter, 43, arrived at the house at 9:45 p.m. Tuesday in a flat bed truck,...
Thundersnow marks arrival of cold front in Western Pennsylvania
Western Pennsylvanians got a rare treat overnight — thundersnow — a winter thunderstorm. The rumbles of thunder and flashes of lightning while snow was falling startled awake Tom Bell, Greensburg’s fire chief and streets superintendent. “I was like ‘What the hell was that?’” he said. Bell immediately looked at remote...
As hunt begins, drought may be a factor in size of harvested deer, quality of antlers, meat
Despite being hunted each fall, deer find ways to survive. The months of dry weather likely will not affect hunting, according to state game officials. But processor Melinda Weimer has noticed a difference in the size and quality of antlers and the amount of quality meat Weimer Meats in Loyalhanna...
2 accused of theft from coin laundry machines that caused $10K in damage
Two Westmoreland County residents are accused of breaking into coin laundry machines in four counties and stealing $2,210, according to court papers. Lauren M. Roth, 33, of Mt. Pleasant Borough, and Bryan E. Deiterich, 35, of Mt. Pleasant Township, caused about $10,000 worth of damages at four locations, state police...
Hempfield Walmart customer hit in face with gun inside store, police say
A Greensburg man is accused of hitting a Walmart customer in the face with a gun on Tuesday evening, according to court papers. State police said Ahseim S. Pestano, 29, was seen on surveillance video at the Hempfield store pulling a pistol from his front pocket and aiming it at...
Westmoreland gets $2M financial boost for Hempfield prison demolition plan
The demolition project at the former SCI Greensburg state prison got a $2 million boost from the state Redevelopment Assistance Capital Program. Now, officials are hoping it will be enough to do the entire demolition. “We feel that $2 million is enough to be able to proceed with bidding the...
8-story tower of former Fort Pitt Brewery set to come down in Jeannette
One major section is all that is left of the former Fort Pitt Brewery site in West Jeannette — an eight-story brick tower. Brian Lawrence, executive director of the Westmoreland County Redevelopment Authority and Land Bank, wants residents and passersby to stay away from the site next week when the...
Vandergrift man sentenced to up to 24 years for shooting at homes in 2021
A Vandergrift man was sentenced Friday to 12 to 24 years in a state prison for firing more than a dozen shots into three occupied homes in 2021. Javon Michael Thorn Lambert, 25, entered a general plea Friday to 17 charges against him, which included aggravated assault, discharge of a...
Former treasurer sentenced to 5 years probation for stealing $21K from New Kensington church
A woman was sentenced Friday to five years on probation for stealing more than $21,000 from a New Kensington church while she served as its treasurer, according to a sentencing order. Cheryl M. Garnett, 75, of East Deer, pleaded guilty to a theft charge, avoiding a trial. Prosecutors dismissed a...
Police looking for suspect in Hempfield Walmart wallet theft
State police are looking for help from the public to identify a man who they say took a woman’s wallet from the Hempfield Walmart store and lied to her that he had it. Troopers said the woman used the self checkout at 10 p.m. Nov. 13 when she forgot her...
Police: West Newton garage applied inspection stickers without examining vehicles
A West Newton auto shop is facing criminal charges after state police said employees there were putting inspection stickers on vehicles they didn’t actually inspect, according to court papers. When a state trooper visited Martinelli Auto Service in August for an audit, he reported seeing two vehicles with new inspection...
Chicago woman declines plea bargain in catalytic converter theft ring case
A Chicago woman who cooperated with Westmoreland County prosecutors in relation to charges stemming from an organized catalytic converter theft ring believed the case against her was going to be dropped, her attorney said Friday. But when Maria Padilla, 39, arrived for a hearing, she learned otherwise, said attorney Samir...
Steelers vs. Browns: What they’re saying in Cleveland after the winVideo
As if the Steelers-Browns rivalry under the lights wasn’t enough — add some snow and sub-freezing temperatures. Cleveland head coach Kevin Stefanski said it all made for a fun, unique “Thursday Night Football” atmosphere during which his team topped Pittsburgh, 24-19, at home. “Our fans were unbelievable,” Stefanski told reporters...
‘It wasn’t my signature,’ NAACP treasurer testifies at hearing for retired Pa. AG investigator accused in $175K theft case
For District Judge Henry Moore, it came down to one charge — forgery. He grew quiet after listening to five hours of testimony in the case against a North Versailles woman accused of stealing money from the Pennsylvania attorney general’s North Huntingdon office and the McKeesport branch of the NAACP....
New York woman dies after being struck by tractor-trailer on turnpike in Donegal Township
A pedestrian was killed late Wednesday after being struck by a tractor-trailer on the Pennsylvania Turnpike in Donegal Township, according to Westmoreland County Coroner Tim Carson. Isa Muhammad, 27, of Ozone Park, N.Y., was walking on the westbound side of the highway near mile marker 91, close to the Donegal...
Severe storms knock out power to thousands; possible tornado being investigated
Did a tornado move through east-central Allegheny County on Wednesday? That’s what the National Weather Service in Moon Township will look to find out as they conduct a survey Thursday, according to a post from the agency on social media. Heavy rain and wind blew through the region Wednesday, knocking...
Former Westmoreland County director of purchasing charged with theft of nearly $10K
Westmoreland County’s former director of purchasing was arrested Tuesday on felony charges accusing him of stealing $9,800 by allowing department employees to work an extra 30 minutes daily. County detectives said Kristopher R. Cardiff, 47, of Trafford, was not authorized by the county’s salary board to extend the workday for...
Woman accused in $200K bank scheme nabbed in New Stanton
A woman from the Los Angeles area was arrested this week in New Stanton in connection with a scam reported by a man who was led to believe that he was giving money to a bank in exchange for what he thought was an investment opportunity, according to court papers....
Police: North Huntingdon man charged in July crash was driving 90 mph in 35 mph zone
A North Huntingdon man is accused of driving 90 mph in a 35 mph zone when he crashed into another vehicle, seriously injuring its driver, according to township police. Nolan Patrick Mullen, 22, was arraigned Friday on charges of aggravated assault by vehicle, reckless endangerment and related offenses. Authorities said...
Steelers vs. Ravens: What they’re saying in Baltimore after loss
On a Sunday when the kickers played a major role in the game’s outcome, Baltimore Ravens kicker Justin Tucker’s two missed field goals might be bothering him for awhile. In a post-game interview, Tucker told reporters it can be tough to erase a mistake from his mind — he still...
Band Together Pittsburgh’s open mic events offer a ‘safe, supported, fun and cool environment’ for those on autism spectrum
A big smile emerged on Madeline Segal’s face as she finished her vocal performance of “A Thousand Years.” “Thank you,” she said as other participants at an autism-friendly open mic event in Irwin applauded. Segal, 19, of Murrysville, has become a regular at such events held by Band Together Pittsburgh,...
Police: New Stanton man called Westmoreland DA Ziccarelli 13 times in 9 minutes
A New Stanton man is facing a preliminary hearing Wednesday on state police accusations that he harassed his former attorney and the Westmoreland County district attorney. Troopers said Gerard Dorundo, 65, banged on the doors and windows of his former attorney’s office in Adamsburg for about 10 minutes Nov. 8...
