Renatta Signorini stories, Page 63
Police find photo of gun, but still lack weapon in Monessen teen homicide case
A gun used in a November fatal shooting in Monessen has not been located, but Westmoreland County Detective Nicholas Caesar said a photograph of the suspect holding a handgun was found on the dead teen’s cellphone. The photo was sent to 16-year-old Amari Altomore from Terry Newton, 16, who is...
Rostraver attorney seeks open district judge seat
Rostraver attorney Chris Huffman announced his candidacy for the district judge seat that covers the township and several neighboring communities. Huffman, 55, is a registered Republican and said he plans to cross-file for the May 16 primary election. He has been practicing as an attorney for nearly 30 years. “As...
Westmoreland’s need for additional shelter will be topic of public hearing on Wednesday
A public hearing is set for this week on Westmoreland County’s plan to put about $2.5 million in federal funding toward a new non-congregate shelter for people who lack housing. Janet Parker, deputy director of community development, said the proposal is the result of meetings with stakeholders across the county...
Behind the art: ‘Portrait of John Gardiner’ at The Westmoreland shows exquisite detail
Clothing style from the 1700s is on display in a portrait by artist John Singleton Copley that indicates its subject likely was a lawyer. “Portrait of John Gardiner,” which hangs at The Westmoreland Museum of American Art in Greensburg, includes exquisite detail of the garments the subject was wearing —...
Troopers justified in deadly November shooting of motorist, Westmoreland DA says
Westmoreland County District Attorney Nicole Ziccarelli has ruled that state troopers were justified in fatally shooting a Johnstown man during a November high-speed chase that ended in Westmoreland County. Ziccarelli said in a news release Friday that she reviewed numerous videos, reports, witness interviews and evidence in coming to the...
Police: South Greensburg motel fire ruled arson, Washington Township man charged
A state police fire marshal determined a blaze Thursday at the Knights Inn in South Greensburg was arson and a man told authorities he started it in the room where he was staying, according to court papers. A trooper reported to borough police that the 11 a.m. blaze began inside...
Fire marshal investigating fatal West Newton blaze
Firefighters and paramedics were not able to resuscitate a woman who was pulled from her apartment in West Newton on Thursday after a fire in her living room, fire Chief Craig Sanner said. The flames were contained to the home of Joyce Marinos, 76, who lived on the 11th floor...
Police: Sewickley Township man fought with troopers
A Sewickley Township man is behind bars after state police said he fought with troopers during his arrest Wednesday, fled into a nearby creek and vomited in the back of a patrol unit, according to court papers. Victor J. Ford, 38, is facing numerous charges including robbery, strangulation, aggravated assault...
Fire breaks out at South Greensburg motel
No one was hurt Thursday when a fire broke out at the Knights Inn in South Greensburg, leaving several rooms damaged. Fire Chief Matt White said everyone was able to escape from the rooms adjoining the one that had the most fire damage. “When I arrived, there was heavy fire...
As Westmoreland’s suicide numbers rise, ‘we have to talk about it’
When Melissa Hughes’ son, Mason, died by suicide in November 2021, she didn’t know where to turn for help with the grief. The Derry Township woman eventually found local resources and now helps comfort others who experience the same devastation while keeping her son’s memory alive. “If I can save...
Behind the art: ‘Night Shift’ depicts Aliquippa steelworkers at The Westmoreland
It looks cold, the men walking on a snowy street, their hands stuffed in jacket pockets heading into work. “Night Shift” is more than that though. The 1936 painting by Ernest Fiene that depicts men walking to a steel plant in Aliquippa came at a formative time for U.S. labor...
Caretaker accused of stealing $30K from Greensburg man
A former caretaker for an elderly Greensburg man is accused of stealing $31,600 from him between May and September, according to court papers. Gede L. Stewart, 48, of Greensburg was charged Thursday with forgery, theft, financial exploitation of an older adult or care dependent person, access device fraud and related...
Westmoreland law enforcement agencies get $1.5M in grants
Five law enforcement agencies in Westmoreland County have been awarded $1.5 million in state funding that will help at least two of them make technology upgrades. The Westmoreland County District Attorney’s Office received the largest share of the five, $497,000, from the local law enforcement support grant program through the...
Vintage blow mold figurines are hot this holiday season
It didn’t take long for the angel blow mold Christmas decoration Laura Kochasic dropped off for sale at L&L Fleatique II in Adamsburg to find a new home — someone bought it the same day. The vintage hollow plastic holiday light-up figures have resurged in popularity this year with retailers...
Sewickley Township woman charged in fatal crash
A Sewickley Township woman is accused of being impaired when she crossed over the center line of Arona Road, slamming head-on into another vehicle and killing its driver, according to court records. Ahna L. Malik, 43, was arrested last week on charges of homicide by vehicle while driving under the...
Florida man charged in $74,000 theft from Saint Vincent College
A Florida man was jailed this week without bail on state police accusations that he used fraudulent checks to steal nearly $74,000 from Saint Vincent College, according to court papers. Troopers said Alfredo N. Paiva Matos, 28, deposited the checks into a bank account belonging to NPM Alliance Corp., what...
16-year-old boy surrenders to police, is charged in Monessen teen’s death
A 16-year-old boy accused in the fatal shooting of another Monessen teen surrendered to authorities Wednesday evening on homicide charges. Terry Newton was arraigned and is being held without bail at Regional Youth Services Center in Hempfield. Westmoreland County District Attorney Nicole Ziccarelli said authorities and sheriff’s deputies had searched...
1 seriously injured in Hempfield crash
A Greensburg woman was taken to a hospital with serious injuries Monday after state police said she crashed into an SUV at the intersection of Toll and Business Route 66 in Hempfield. Troopers said Deborah O. Anderson, 62, did not stop at a stop sign at the end of an...
Florida man charged in retail theft ring that hit Hempfield Ross store
An undercover state trooper helped crack an organized retail theft operation that officials said has been targeting Ross Dress for Less stores in 10 states, including one in Hempfield, according to court papers. On Saturday, a Florida man police believe is involved in the ring was arrested. Yan R. Duquesne...
Station wagon crashes in Penn Township after police chase, driver charged
An Allegheny County woman who did not have a valid drivers license was arrested Saturday after leading Jeannette police on a chase on Route 130 and colliding with other vehicles, according to court papers. Police said Anessa Lynn Short, 21, of Port Vue, was impaired at the time. She is...
Westmoreland district attorney announces online information platform
A new tool will provide citizens with updates about crime investigations and prosecutions from the Westmoreland County District Attorney’s office. The Crimewatch online platform, which is designed for law enforcement, will give residents access to information related to crime and public safety. Residents can choose to receive notifications about new...
Former Westmoreland youth services center director files discrimination lawsuit
The former director of Westmoreland County’s Regional Youth Services Center claims in a federal lawsuit that she was discriminated against when she was replaced by a man who made $25,000 more than her. Nicole Kamer of East Vandergrift filed the action against the county Friday. In February 2020, Kamer was...
‘Union Station Riot’ depicts dark side of railroad strike
A painting at The Westmoreland Museum of American Art shows the dark side of a railroad strike in 1877. The oil painting, titled “Union Station Riot,” depicts the station in Pittsburgh’s Strip District on fire during the Great Railroad Strike. Its artist, Martin B. Leisser, was there reporting for Harper’s...
Jeannette turns down offer from county to pay for patrols at housing complex
Jeannette police will not be doing extra patrols beyond their regular duties at Jeannette Manor after a city council majority rejected a proposed agreement with the Westmoreland County Housing Authority. The housing authority had offered $20,000 that would be paid as overtime to city officers for their work doing the...
Stowe woman accused of bilking $13K in Westmoreland rental assistance cash for properties she doesn’t own
An Allegheny County woman is accused of stealing $13,000 in emergency rental assistance after police said she claimed to be the landlord of two properties in Murrysville and Export, according to court papers. Janice L. Koranteng, 57, of Stowe was arraigned this week on charges of theft, forgery, identity theft...
