Renatta Signorini stories, Page 52
Dog gets $2,000 reward for helping capture escaped Pennsylvania inmate Michael Burham
A chocolate Lab mix in Warren County is getting spoiled after his owners were presented Tuesday with $2,000, part of a reward authorities had offered for information leading to the apprehension of jail escapee Michael Burham. Ron and Cindy Ecklund were given $2,000 cash from Warren County Crime Stoppers for...
2 Westmoreland men indicted in federal Snapchat hacking case
Two Westmoreland County men are among seven people who were indicted by a federal grant jury in Erie alleging they conspired to hack into Snapchat accounts, steal explicit photos and videos and distribute them on the web, federal prosecutors said. Edward Michael Grabb, 31, of Jeannette and Michael Paul Yackovich,...
Westmoreland awards $3M in covid funds to social service programs
Westmoreland commissioners last week gave $3 million to eight social service agencies as part of its continuing allocation of federal covid relief funds. “We’re confident that the grants awarded in the fields of workforce development, mental health, housing and children and youth services are going to have a significant impact...
Woman fatally shot in Braddock during neighborhood dispute
Pennsylvania State Police are investigating after a woman was fatally shot Sunday evening in Braddock during a neighborhood dispute. Troopers said Erica Vail, 43, was shot in the abdomen around 7:30 p.m. on Corey Avenue during the dispute among residents that turned into an altercation. She was taken by ambulance...
5 seek Westmoreland commissioner’s seat vacated by Thrasher
Five men are interested in completing the remainder of departing Westmoreland County Commissioner Gina Cerilli Thrasher’s term when she moves on to a new job in a few weeks. Friday afternoon was the deadline for county Democrats to submit an application in hopes of being appointed to the remaining five...
Rescue of a dozen sick cats from Fayette home places burden on Hunker animal shelter
A Westmoreland based animal rescue is caring for about a dozen sick cats that were removed from a deplorable Fayette County home this week. Ninth Life Animal Rescue is looking for foster homes for cats already in its care and two dogs, a German shepherd and mixed breed, that are...
Jeannette EMS ordered to pay $340,000 to KeyBank
A judgment against Jeannette EMS was issued Thursday to pay $339,904 to KeyBank for outstanding principal on a commercial line of credit, interest and late fees, according to court filings. KeyBank filed the complaint this week outlining the line of credit, which was opened in July 1997 for $25,000 and...
Greensburg man faces charges after incident outside Buffalo Wild Wings
A Greensburg man is behind bars after state police said he threatened employees and a customer at a Hempfield restaurant. Julius N. McGhee, 57, was arraigned Thursday on charges of terroristic threats, disorderly conduct, harassment and public drunkenness. He was being held on $100,000 bail at the Westmoreland County Prison....
Jeannette becomes 1st municipality to provide direct support to Mutual Aid EMS
Jeannette became the first municipality to provide direct financial support to Mutual Aid EMS, a move ambulance officials hope will spread. Council on Thursday approved a proposal from Mutual Aid to be the city’s ambulance provider for the rest of 2023 in exchange for $1,000 monthly. “Getting assistance from the...
Westmoreland County unveils 1st phase of opioid settlement spending plan
A plan to spend the first installment of Westmoreland County’s cut of a national settlement of opioid lawsuits — $2.5 million — includes boosting peer- support resources and funding a medication-assisted treatment program at the county jail. Tim Phillips, director of the new Department of Community Relations and Prevention, said he...
Donations for vehicle help Jeannette to move forward with plans to add another police dog
Jeannette police this week ordered a used police SUV, partially funded by donations, in an effort to get the department’s second police dog on the streets. Chief Donald Johnston Jr. said $13,500 in donations, which have been raised since April, will be combined with several thousand dollars from the department’s...
Police: Blairsville carjacking suspect arrested in Georgia
A man accused of cutting a woman in the face and neck during a Blairsville carjacking was arrested Thursday in Georgia, according to state Trooper Tristan Tappe. Authorities had been searching for Michael A. Whitfield, 35, since the violent attack Wednesday morning outside a personal care home. He also is...
Police seek man accused of attacking woman in Blairsville, stealing pickup in Derry Township
A woman leaving work at an assisted living facility in Blairsville was hospitalized Wednesday after state police said she was attacked by a man who stole her car and a second vehicle. Trooper Tristan Tappe said a tip from the public helped investigators identify the suspect as Michael A. Bronson-Whitfield....
Jeannette considers proposal from Mutual Aid for ambulance service
In the wake of Jeannette EMS’ closure last week, city officials are considering a proposal from Mutual Aid to provide ambulance service in the city. Council likely will vote on the matter during its Thursday meeting, as long as Solicitor Tim Witt gives the OK. “Solicitor Witt has to have...
‘You will have an ambulance’: Jeannette leaders scramble in wake of EMS closing
Members of Jeannette council likely will discuss during a work session Tuesday how to move forward after Jeannette EMS abruptly closed this week, leaving city officials scrambling to ensure residents have ambulance coverage. Councilwoman Robin Mozley, who is the service’s liaison with the city, said questions remain after what she...
Connellsville man accused of recording, distributing video of nude teen
A Connellsville man is accused of video recording a topless teen and sending it to others through Facebook, according to court papers. Jonathan A. Dulaney, 28, is charged with unlawful contact with a minor, child pornography, corruption of minors and related offenses. State police said the girl reported she was...
More than 2 pounds of suspected fentanyl found in minivan bumper on Pa. Turnpike, police say
More than 2 pounds of suspected fentanyl was found hidden Thursday in the front bumper of a minivan traveling on the Pennsylvania Turnpike in Mt. Pleasant Township, according to court papers. Ernesto A. Lantigua-Arias, 39, of Massachusetts, is being held at the Westmoreland County Prison on $250,000 bail. He is...
Mercedes driver sought in reported hit-and-run incidents at Pa. Turnpike interchange
State police are looking for an older model black Mercedes sedan that reportedly was involved in two hit-and-run crashes in as many days on the Pennsylvania Turnpike Irwin interchange exit ramp to Route 30. Troopers said a 24-year-old Mt. Pleasant man reported the 7 a.m. crashes on Thursday and Friday...
Woman hurt in Munhall shooting
A woman was shot in the leg Sunday in Munhall, according to Allegheny County Police. The woman was taken by private vehicle to a hospital around 4 a.m. after a shooting on Eighth Avenue. Anyone with information is asked to call the county police tip line at 833-ALL-TIPS....
Police say Pittsburgh bar owner hired locksmith to open padlocked nuisance property
A Penn Township man who owns a Pittsburgh bar that was padlocked Friday was arrested over the weekend after authorities said he hired a locksmith and entered the building, according to court papers. Derrick Hemby, 60, was released on his own recognizance Sunday on felony charges of trespass and solicitation....
Pittsburgh man charged after police chase, crash in Moon Township
An arrest warrant was issued for a man who reportedly led state troopers on a chase and then crashed in Moon. Police said Ryan Chapman, 30, of Pittsburgh, was taken to a hospital for treatment of injuries. Chapman fled from police in a Chevrolet Camaro on Ewing Road and Business...
Unusual arts, crafts showcased at Westmoreland Arts & Heritage Festival
An idea and a leap of faith led business partners Tina Fink and Ron Johnson down a new career path — creating jewelry and other items from vintage flatware and coins. Fink said it’s been rewarding to find unique pieces and then a new home for them. One customer who...
Appeals court rejects Thomas Stanko’s bid to lower federal prison sentence
A federal prison sentence was upheld by appeals court judges who considered an appeal from a Unity man serving time in a gun case. Three Third Circuit judges last month rejected an appeal from Thomas G. Stanko, 52, who was sentenced in July 2022 to seven years and three months....
Jeannette council workshops to be held same week as voting meetings
The public meeting schedule for Jeannette council will change in August back to a previous format. Council will resume having work sessions the Tuesday before Thursday voting meetings. The group voted 4-1 to make the change with Councilwoman Michelle Langdon dissenting. Since September, council has been holding work sessions eight...
Westmoreland 250: 10 unique things in Jeannette
(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...
