Renatta Signorini stories, Page 44
Westmoreland election ties broken with marble drawings
Luck was on Andy Pinskey’s side Wednesday. He pulled the No. 1 marble, likely securing himself another term on Scottdale Borough Council. A tie for the seat was broken Wednesday at the Westmoreland County Courthouse after he and opponent Cherri Rogers each received 132 votes in November’s general election. “It...
New Kensington man gets up to 23 months in jail for fleeing from police, endangering child
A New Kensington man who police said led officers on a chase with a child in the car was sentenced Tuesday to more than eight months to 23 months in the Westmoreland County jail. Benjamin Alexander Ploski, 35, pleaded guilty Tuesday to aggravated assault, fleeing from police, child endangerment and...
Trafford man sentenced for assault of estranged girlfriend
A Trafford man was sentenced to state prison this week in connection with a violent assault on his estranged girlfriend. Alfred H. Tournay III, 56, was sentenced to 6 1/2 to 13 years. He was ordered to pay $4,077 in restitution to one of the neighbors and $1,000 to the...
Man jumped from New Stanton hotel window to evade police, troopers say
A Mt. Pleasant man was behind bars after state police said he jumped from a New Stanton hotel window and ran from troopers last week, according to a news release. Marc Allen Hernley, 36, was being held on $50,000 bail at the Westmoreland County Prison. Troopers said they spotted a...
Murrysville man receives jail sentence for assaulting woman in 2022
A Murrysville man was sentenced to a jail term Tuesday in connection with an incident at his former girlfriend’s home the same day he was released on bond on accusations that he choked her. Colby M. Bowling, 29, was sentenced to 11-1/2 to 23 months at the Westmoreland County Prison...
Westmoreland 250: 10 things to see in Rostraver
(Editor’s note: To mark Westmoreland County’s 250th birthday this year, we’ve come up with a list of 250 things — 10 things in 25 communities — that we consider to be important to the makeup of our area. This series will appear each week through December. If you have a...
Housing Authority moves on $450K sewer project in Sewickley Township
The Westmoreland County Housing Authority is moving ahead with a $450,000 project to tap into public sewage lines for a small community in Sewickley Township. Executive director Michael Washowich said the authority plans to close a small sewage treatment plant it owns at the Shaner Heights complex and connect sewage...
73 cats rescued from North Huntingdon home were living in misery, New Kensington rescue president says
The 73 cats rescued from a North Huntingdon home in 2020 were living in a state of misery, according to Becky Morrow, medical director and president of Frankie’s Friends. Rescuers found the remains of nine cats on the Leger Road property and they were able to save 65 of the...
Casting of lots will break tie votes in 6 Westmoreland races
Two candidates for one seat on Scottdale council will find out Wednesday who wins. Andy Pinsky and Cherri Rogers each received 132 votes in November’s general election. Lots will be cast at noon Wednesday at the Westmoreland County Courthouse. The race is one of six that will be decided by...
Attorney found guilty of evading arrest, other charges in connection with Greensburg traffic stop
A Westmoreland County attorney was found guilty of three summary counts Monday in connection with a traffic stop last month in Greensburg. District Judge Thomas S. Brletic found David E. Mulock, 38, of Murrysville guilty of evading arrest, operating a vehicle without a valid inspection and improperly displaying his Volkswagen’s...
Steelers vs. Browns: What they are saying in Cleveland after their win
The Cleveland Browns’ defense made big plays when it mattered most. During the first half, the defense held the Steelers to 64 total yards. Then on what ended up being the Steelers’ final drive of the game, quarterback Kenny Pickett couldn’t complete a pass, leading to a last-second field goal...
Behind the art: Gavels mix with grandeur in Westmoreland courtroom
Editor’s note: Behind the Art is a recurring series highlighting artistic works throughout the county. When new faces enter Judge Meagan Bilik-DeFazio’s courtroom, they often appear awestruck. There’s so much to look at — the magnificent paintings on the ceiling, the portraits of past judges along the walls and the...
Police seek ID of man after robbery of First National Bank in Hempfield
State police are looking for a man who they said robbed a Hempfield bank Friday around 11:30 a.m. The man entered the First National Bank’s branch on Wendel Road, not far from Route 30, and presented a threatening note. Trooper Cliff Greenfield said the man had a handgun in his...
Pa. State Police’s K9 who aided hunt for escaped murderer to be honored at National Dog Show
A celebrity of sorts will be honored at The National Dog Show — a Pennsylvania State Police dog who helped in the high-profile search and arrest of an armed escaped murderer near Philadelphia. Rom was heavily involved in the search for Danelo Cavalcante, who was captured Sept. 13 after a...
DUI charges filed in crash involving 3 motorcycles on Route 30 in Ligonier Township
A man who was intoxicated and didn’t have a valid drivers license is accused of crashing into three motorcycles in Ligonier Township, according to court papers. The three motorcyclists all had serious injuries, including multiple broken bones, and have undergone surgeries and rehabilitation, Ligonier Valley police said. William C. Strogish,...
In adopted daughters, Hempfield family finds ‘missing pieces to the puzzle’
Amber Pearce knows what it’s like to be in the foster system — that’s why she and husband John continue to keep their Hempfield home open to children in need. In 2014, they adopted daughter Nia, now 10. On Wednesday, they adopted two more daughters — Deziray, 7, and Reylynn,...
Southwest Greensburg man accused of sexual assaults from 2 decades ago
A Southwest Greensburg man is accused of sexually assaulting a 12-year-old girl he met while working at a Derry Township restaurant 20 years ago, according to court papers. Michael C. Bompiani, 43, was arraigned Tuesday on charges of rape, statutory sexual assault, involuntary deviate sexual intercourse and corruption of minors....
2 arrested in theft of $3K worth of assorted merchandise from Hempfield Lowe’s
Two people were arrested by state police after tips from the public helped troopers identify the suspects in a theft of approximately $3,200 worth of merchandise from a Westmoreland County Lowe’s. Trooper Cliff Greenfield said the suspects were identified as Matthew John Murphy, 38, of Greensburg, and Heather Lynn Kunkle,...
St. Clair couple charged after police called to home for shots fired during domestic dispute
A Bolivar man narrowly escaped injury Sunday after his wife fired shots at him during a domestic dispute at their St. Clair home, according to state police. Troopers said there was a bullet hole in the man’s pickup truck. Both husband and wife, who are separated, were denied bail Monday....
Person found dead in New Stanton pond identified as Jeannette woman
A Jeannette woman was publicly identified Monday as the person found in a New Stanton pond last week. The Westmoreland County Coroner’s Office said Kele Diane Townsend, 34, was found floating in the water off Broadview Road around 12:30 p.m. Nov. 6. The death is not believed to be suspicious,...
Derry Township couple accused of beating boy, causing disfigurement of his ear
A Derry Township woman is accused of beating a 14-year-old boy so badly that it caused permanent disfigurement in one of his ears, according to state police. Jamie Denise Harr, 51, and her husband, Charles Edward Harr, 53, were arrested last week in connection with the assaults and remain at...
School van involved in crash in East Huntingdon
A three-vehicle chain-reaction crash involving a school van shut down part of Route 819 in East Huntingdon on Monday. State police said all three vehicles were traveling north on Route 819 around 8:50 a.m.. Two were stopped in the road while one was waiting to make a turn when the...
Steelers vs. Packers: What they are saying in Green Bay after loss
It’s been more than a half a century since the Green Bay Packers have won in Pittsburgh. That statistic still stands thanks to some late-game interceptions by Steelers defenders and a blocked extra point that loomed large toward the end of the game, according to Bill Huber, Packers beat writer...
Former Jeannette EMS building won’t become city’s fire station
An idea to use the former Jeannette EMS station as the city’s new fire department was nixed after a tour revealed the proposal might be more costly than anticipated. “Even to get the electricity up to snuff to support a fire station” would be expensive, said Councilman Chuck Highlands, who...
Coroner: Westmoreland prison inmate died of drug overdose
A man died at the Westmoreland County Prison in September as a result of an accidental drug overdose, Coroner Tim Carson said Friday. Terry L. Brumley Jr., 33, was discovered unresponsive in his cell the morning of Sept. 28. Carson didn’t provide additional details. Three other inmates were treated at...
