Renatta Signorini stories, Page 108
Westmoreland history tucked away in archives
The oldest documents kept by Westmoreland County show its burgeoning creation as well as its dark history. There are pieces missing from a tattered 1773 document, but the gist of it still gets through — Lt. Gov. Richard Penn appointed Arthur St. Clair recorder of deeds of the county. The...
12 Westmoreland polling places moving, including longtime one in Wyano home
Editor’s note: This story was amended March 20, 2021 to reflect the correct municipality where the one remaining residential polling place is located. Twelve polling places are being moved to new locations in Westmoreland County for the May primary, including one that has been in a Wyano home since the...
Voice of Westmoreland demands better covid vaccine plan in countyVideo
Members of the Voice of Westmoreland delivered a petition to county commissioners Thursday demanding a coronavirus vaccine registry and distribution sites in rural areas and for minority communities, among other concerns. The 375 signatures had been gathered since Saturday, said Bob Mason, a Trafford resident and member of the grassroots...
Westmoreland commissioners select in-state company to handle mail-in ballots
Westmoreland County commissioners on Thursday selected a Blair County company to handle printing and sending its mail-in ballots for the spring primary. Elections director JoAnn Sebastiani said she checked with officials in six regional counties that used NPC, Inc. during the general election and got a good response about the...
Excela Health to open North Huntingdon vaccine clinic; to give 2K shots daily by appointment
Excela Health is upping its capacity to provide coronavirus vaccine by opening a clinic at an empty building in North Huntingdon. The clinic will begin operations Thursday at the former Galaxy Fitness building near Excela Square at Norwin, Chief Medical Officer Carol Fox said. Staff members will be able to...
Penn Township woman arrested in connection with stabbing at Trafford tavern
A Penn Township woman is behind bars after, police say, she stabbed a man at a Trafford tavern early Wednesday. Brenda Renee Stitt, 45, was found by officers hiding in an upstairs room at Anthony’s Hotel & Tavern. She is charged with aggravated assault, hindering apprehension, conspiracy and related offenses....
Westmoreland DA candidate excused from jury duty after failing to show
Nicole Ziccarelli was excused from jury duty after not showing up Monday morning at the Westmoreland County courthouse, according to Nancy Murtland, jury board clerk. Ziccarelli, a lawyer from New Kensington, is a Republican candidate for county district attorney. She was one of 160 prospective jurors summoned to appear the...
Monessen man faces drug, gun charges after traffic stop
A Monessen man was arrested Saturday in Rostraver after state police said they found him in possession of a gun and drugs, according to court papers. Rashawn Ford, 25, is charged with drug possession, weapons violations and other offenses. State police said they pulled over a car with an expired...
Jeannette duplex damaged in fireVideo
A state police fire marshal is investigating the cause of a fire Wednesday morning at a duplex in Jeannette, according to fire Capt. Joe Matijevic. Firefighters were met with flames on the first floor of the Good Street home at 7:30 a.m. “The living room and dining room, the whole...
Free cancer screening planned at AHN’s Hempfield hospital
Editor’s note: This story was amended March 19, 2021 to change the minimum age at which someone could be screened for lung cancer. Free cancer screenings are set for April 24 at AHN Cancer Institute - Hempfield after the coronavirus pandemic disrupted non-emergency health care needs. The neighborhood hospital on...
Hempfield man arrested after police said he brought gun into Westmoreland courthouse annex
A Hempfield man who visited the Westmoreland County courthouse annex building Monday to get a concealed carry permit instead was arrested after police said they found a gun in his backpack, according to court papers. Shawn William Vanhorn, 23, is charged with a weapons violation and possession of a firearm...
New contract for Jeannette police could help city attract job candidates
A new four-year contract with Jeannette police officers calls for 2.5% annual pay increases for current employees and additional yearly hikes for new hires, said solicitor Tim Witt. City officials hope the adjustment for new officers will be an incentive after the department struggled in recent months to get enough...
Derry man charged with having heroin, fentanyl at Westmoreland County Prison
A Derry man was arraigned Monday after Westmoreland County detectives said he brought drugs into the county jail, according to court papers. Jason Michael Thomas, 31, of Derry is charged with drug possession and contraband. Detectives said Thomas was being processed at 1:20 a.m. Sept 15 at the Hempfield jail...
New Jersey man arrested after attempted break-in at Hempfield home
A New Jersey man is being held in the Westmoreland County Prison after state police said he tried to break into a Hempfield home Friday, according to court papers. Colin Daniel O’Connor, 19, of Clarksboro, is charged with attempted burglary, harassment, resisting arrest, false identification and flight to avoid apprehension....
‘Absolutely beautiful’: West Penn Hospital staff gave Harrison man 2nd goodbye with dying mother
It was time. The soulful tones of Diana Ross’ version of “Ain’t No Mountain High Enough” playing from a nurse’s cellphone cut through the surreal moment. Motown music, her favorite, was the soundtrack to 74-year-old Josephine Ferguson’s final breaths, after covid-19 devastated her previously healthy body. Gregory Del Duca, her...
‘Reverberation of grief’: Covid losses take toll on Western Pennsylvania residents, communities
It has been nearly a year since the world of Ludmil Velev changed forever. For a few months in early 2020, his mother was visiting Pittsburgh from Bulgaria, thrilled to be with her granddaughter. “I’m happy I spent time with her,” said Velev, 44, of Greenfield. “She was extremely happy...
Jeannette officials look to pinch pennies to restore $278K to capital reserve account
Jeannette officials said they are hoping to come up with about $278,000 that was moved out of its capital reserve account last year and never replaced. Solicitor Tim Witt is examining a $1.9 trillion covid-19 relief bill passed by federal lawmakers to see if any funds would be available to...
Program seeks to help Westmoreland seniors who lack technology get coronavirus vaccine appointment
Senior citizens in Westmoreland County who don’t have access to technology to find and schedule coronavirus vaccine appointments are getting some help. The United Way of Southwestern Pennsylvania is partnering with Excela Health and others to coordinate and schedule appointments for Westmoreland County’s vulnerable residents 65 and older, said Alyssa...
2,500 Westmoreland teachers, school-related employees to get coronavirus vaccineVideo
Nearly 2,500 Westmoreland County teachers and other school employees will get coronavirus vaccinations starting this weekend. Registration emails should be sent shortly to those whose identities and employment were verified by schools, said Jason Conway, executive director of the Westmoreland Intermediate Unit. Clinics will be held over several days. “It...
Diocese of Greensburg to celebrate 70th anniversary
The Roman Catholic Diocese of Greensburg will celebrate its 70th anniversary Wednesday with a special Mass led by Bishop Larry J. Kulick, the diocese announced. The Mass will be livestreamed at dioceseofgreensburg.org and on its Facebook page and YouTube channel. It starts at 11:45 a.m. The diocese was started March...
Hempfield man charged in police chase through 4 municipalities
A Hempfield man is accused by Jeannette police of leading officers on a chase through four municipalities last month until he crashed and the car caught fire, according to court papers. Tyler David Varriano-Milan, 25, is charged with numerous offenses, including fleeing from police, driving under the influence and reckless...
Carrick man accused of sexually assaulting coworker at North Huntingdon care facility
An Allegheny County man is accused of sexually assaulting a co-worker at a North Huntingdon nursing facility, according to court papers. Daniel A. Odu, 33, of Carrick is charged with attempted rape, aggravated indecent assault and indecent assault. Officials at The Grove at North Huntingdon contacted township police Feb. 6...
Hempfield man gets probation for sexually assaulting mentally disabled woman
A Hempfield man was sentenced to three years of probation Friday for sexually assaulting a mentally disabled woman. Charles A. Stephenson, 67, is required to register as a sex offender under Megan’s Law, according to a sentencing order. Stephenson pleaded guilty to a charge of indecent assault of a person...
Hempfield man accused in sexual assault of teen girl
State police arrested a Hempfield man Thursday, charging him with the sexual assault of a 13-year-old girl in 2017, according to court papers. Michael John Flowers, 22, is charged with involuntary deviate sexual intercourse and indecent assault. Troopers said in court papers that they spoke to the accuser, now 17,...
Manor man pleads guilty in 2 drug overdose deaths
A Manor man who cooperated with prosecutors in a case against a co-defendant pleaded guilty Friday to two drug delivery resulting in death charges. Jeremy S. Mason, 35, admitted guilt during a virtual court appearance in connection with two fatal drug overdoses in 2017. His “exemplary” cooperation with prosecutors was...
