Renatta Signorini stories, Page 144
Westmoreland commissioners approve settlement with woman injured at jail
The Westmoreland County commissioners on Thursday approved a $7,500 settlement payment related to a complaint about an injury at the county jail. The board unanimously approved the payment as part of a settlement agreement with Christine Shellhammer, who reported being injured Sept. 15 while visiting an inmate at the jail....
Police: Penn Township woman failed to report suspected child sexual abuse
A Penn Township woman is accused of failing to report suspected child abuse involving a family member in May while she was considered a mandated reporter, according to court papers. Barbara Lynn Desmond, 55, was charged Tuesday by Greensburg police with failure to report. Police said Desmond was notified of...
Woman struck, killed by truck in LigonierVideo
A 54-year-old woman was killed when she was hit and trapped underneath a FedEx truck in Ligonier on Wednesday morning, despite attempts from bystanders to free her, Ligonier Valley police Chief John Berger said. It appears to be an “unfortunate accident,” Berger said, adding that the driver of the truck...
Former Clairton man gets 9 years for distributing fentanyl
A former Clairton man was sentenced to nine years in a federal prison Tuesday for distributing fentanyl, U.S. Attorney Scott W. Brady said in an announcement. Elliot Page, 38, was ordered to spend 10 years on supervised release after the prison term on his conviction of conspiring to distribute narcotics...
PennDOT plans job fairs in 3 counties
Winter employment opportunities with PennDOT will be the subject of three job fairs this month in District 12, which covers Westmoreland County. Prospective employees can visit 144 Donohoe Road in Hempfield, near Westmoreland Mall, from noon to 8 p.m. July 18. Agency employees will talk about job openings during the...
Police: Record fentanyl bust on Pa. Turnpike saved countless lives
Investigators believe Monday’s fentanyl bust on the Pennsylvania Turnpike is the latest operation in a network connected to the Dominican Republic that is funneling drugs into Southwestern Pennsylvania. “We feel strongly that it is a part of the same group,” Trooper Stephen Limani said. Two New York City men remained...
Police: N.Y. woman tried to use fraudulent ID to buy iPhones in Hempfield
A New York woman is behind bars after state police said she tried to use a fraudulent driver’s license and credit card Monday to purchase two iPhones at a Hempfield store. Raquel M. Martinez, 27, of New York City is charged with access device fraud, identity theft and related offenses....
W.Pa. soccer leaders support U.S. women’s team in pay disparity fight
The winners of the Women’s World Cup not only are inspiring Western Pennsylvania soccer players with their footwork, but they’re also showing players on boys and girls teams that it’s important to stand up for yourself. The United States Women’s National Team’s win in France on Sunday was met with...
Police: Derry Township man tried to hit man with his car
A Derry Township man was arraigned Monday after police said he tried to hit another man with his car. Robert John Kuszajewski, 27, is charged with aggravated assault, terroristic threats, reckless endangerment and related offenses. Police were called to South Summit Street in Derry Township at 10 p.m. Wednesday when...
New Planet Fitness set for grand opening in East Huntingdon
The new Planet Fitness off Route 119 in East Huntingdon will hold a ribbon-cutting ceremony noon Wednesday The 10,000-square-foot fitness center in Crossroads Plaza features cardio and strength equipment, locker rooms with include showers and massage chairs, tanning beds and other amenitie The center is celebrating its grand opening by...
Artisans at Westmoreland Arts & Heritage Festival enjoy sharing their creations
Deb Andrison finds peace amid small strips of paper and glue on the sun porch at her North Huntingdon home. She turns tiny shreds of paper into beautiful art — a group of zebras at a watering hole, a carousel, a wide-eyed owl — and then stores her quilling masterpieces...
Farmers market opens at Westmoreland Mall
Fresh produce will be for sale outside of Westmoreland Mall through Sept. 30. Duda’s Farm Stand added a new location this week at the former Sears parking lot in Hempfield. Sears closed in March. The Duda family farm based near Brownsville has 10 fruit and vegetable stands in several counties....
New York man sentenced for cocaine possession in North Huntingdon traffic stop
A New York man pleaded guilty Wednesday to having cocaine hidden inside a car that police pulled over in North Huntingdon in February. Fernando A. Rivera-Saldivar, 24, of Bronx, was sentenced to six to 23 months in the Westmoreland County Prison, where he has been held since his arrest on...
Smithton man pleads guilty to punching Westmoreland County Prison guard
A Smithton man pleaded guilty Wednesday to punching a Westmoreland County Prison guard last fall. Timothy D. Ingram, 18, was sentenced to about 4-1/2 months to 23 months on a simple assault charge. He was given credit for time served since his arrest on Feb. 15. Authorities said Ingram threw...
Man acquitted of most charges in Irwin animal cruelty case
A man previously from Irwin was ordered to pay a fine on a summary neglect of animals count after a nonjury trial Tuesday. Antoine M. Prigg, 24, of Oxford, Chester County, was acquitted of the majority of animal cruelty and related charges against him in connection with what police described...
North Huntingdon doctor ruled competent to stand trial in 2 drug overdose deaths
A former North Huntingdon doctor is competent to stand trial in connection with the 2016 drug overdose deaths of two patients, a Westmoreland County judge ruled Tuesday. But the attorney for Michel Toret, 73, of Jeannette, doesn’t believe the case will go before a jury. Attorney Michael DeRiso said Toret...
Youngwood man sent to prison for sexually assaulting 2 teen girls
A Westmoreland County judge sentenced a Youngwood man to 8-1/2 to 17 years in a state prison Tuesday for sexually assaulting two teenage girls in 2016. Darell Deisean Walker, 23, was ordered to spend an additional five years on probation following the prison term. “Your conduct and the testimony …...
Jeannette man ruled competent to stand trial in fatal fire case
A man is competent to stand trial on homicide and arson charges in connection with a fatal fire last year in Jeannette that killed an elderly woman, a judge ruled Monday. Brian Eric Rendon, 34, of Jeannette needed some extra help and explanation to understand the charges and trial process,...
Police: Man rammed wife’s vehicle in Penn Township
A Plum man is being held at the Westmoreland County Prison after police said he rammed his wife’s vehicle in Penn Township on Sunday, causing her to lose control and almost hit another motorist, according to court papers. Robert Frank Stampo, 43, is charged with aggravated assault, terroristic threats and...
Police: Man pinned, dragged by tractor-trailer after jumping on it on Pa. Turnpike
A New York man was flown by medical helicopter to a Pittsburgh hospital Monday morning after state police said he jumped onto a tractor-trailer on the Pennsylvania Turnpike. Cyril A. Sooklal, 37, was driving west on the highway just before 10 a.m. in Mt. Pleasant Township when troopers said he...
Pennsylvania lowers sales tax on taproom craft beers, pushes start to Oct. 1
Some craft beer brewers will adjust prices. Others are considering options to offset any additional cost associated with a state requirement that they must collect sales tax starting Oct. 1 — after a July 1 start date was delayed — on beers sold at their taprooms and to-go purchases. John...
Sobriety checkpoint coming to Westmoreland County in July
State police in Greensburg will be on the lookout for intoxicated drivers during the first half of July. Troopers in the station’s patrol unit will set up a sobriety checkpoint somewhere in Westmoreland County between July 1 and 17, according to a news release. Authorities did not offer any other...
Police: Jeannette man accused in Hempfield rape of 14-year-old girl fled to Kentucky
A Jeannette man fled to Kentucky in an effort to avoid being arrested on allegations he raped a 14-year-old girl, according to state police. Steven Alan Deluke, 40, was identified as the suspect in the Hempfield case through bodily fluids collected in a rape kit, according to court papers. Deluke...
Police: Greensburg man pulled woman out of wheelchair, punched her
A Greensburg man is free on bail after police said he pulled a woman from her wheelchair and attacked her, according to court papers. Todd James Slate, 32, is scheduled for a preliminary hearing July 25 in connection with the accusations. Police reported that Slate was fighting with the woman...
Police: Dog found dead in Belle Vernon backyard had ‘obvious signs’ of starvation
A Belle Vernon man and woman are facing animal cruelty charges after a dog was found dead in their backyard Tuesday, according to court papers. Troopers said the dog had obvious signs of starvation and abuse. Christopher Michael Foreman, 35, and Rachel Marie Bonacci, 36, allegedly left the dog locked...
