Renatta Signorini stories, Page 31

A Hempfield man was scammed out of $1,800 after, state police said, he was contacted by a person who claimed to be the pastor at a local church. The two communicated by text message Nov. 14 and the scammer requested money to help church members who are confined to their...

The number of surveillance cameras in Jeannette is more than tripling, according to Police Chief Donald Johnston Jr. The department is adding 63 cameras, including 16 license plate readers, with grant funding received last year from the Pennsylvania Commission on Crime and Delinquency. Johnston estimated the 25 cameras already affixed...

When Jackie Sobel and her father, David, were looking to put down roots for their craft brewery, they knew new construction wasn’t going to be right for the vibe they wanted. “We were looking for something that had a lot of character,” she said. They perused Westmoreland County Land Bank...

When a crime like the October shooting at a private party in Indiana County takes place, police have a mountain of work in front of them. They’re tracking down witnesses, some of whom might not want to talk, and sifting through their statements to determine what might be pertinent. They’re...

Editor’s note: Behind the Art is a recurring series highlighting artistic works throughout the county. One day in early November, a defendant in Judge Christopher Feliciani’s criminal courtroom looked to the ceiling at three century-old oil paintings, pondering their meaning aloud in an exchange with the judge. There’s one labeled...

Jeannette’s annual Sparkle of Christmas parade is set to be twice as big as last year’s, according to parade co-coordinator Michelle Langdon. “There’s a bigger interest in participating this year,” she said. The parade will step off at 2 p.m. Dec. 2 and head down Clay Avenue. The Sparkle of...

A petition to adjust the boundaries of Penn Township’s five voting wards will be filed in Westmoreland County court. If OK’d by a judge, the new boundaries would take effect Jan. 1, according to the petition. The changes would affect about 500 residents who would have a new voting ward,...

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...

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...

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...

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...

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...

(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...

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...

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...

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...

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...

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...

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...

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...

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...

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,...

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,...

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....

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,...