News Of Western Pennsylvania And The World
NEW ALEXANDRIA, Pa. — A man is dead after crashing a vehicle at Keystone Raceway.
The Westmoreland County coroner said Ronnie John Ruggiero, 37, from Irwin, was drag racing a pickup at the track.
While racing, Ruggiero crashed into a gravel safety pit at a high rate of speed after not stopping at the end of the track. His vehicle came to a stop at a sand mound.
Source: Man dies after crashing vehicle while drag racing at Keystone Raceway
A man is in custody after crews were called to an early morning fire in Latrobe, Westmoreland County, on Wednesday.
Latrobe Police said the fire was the result of a domestic dispute. Dale Smith Jr., 34, faces multiple charges, including arson, terroristic threats and causing and risking a catastrophe.
Source: Man charged after fire breaks out inside Westmoreland County home
Six vehicles along West Otterman Street in Greensburg were damaged.
Troy Konieczny, 42, is facing multiple felony charges after police said he admitted to smashing up the vehicles near his West Otterman Street home. According to court documents, Konieczny targeted the vehicles because the owners did not show up for a birthday party for his brother. Police said Konieczny claimed his brother was “Jesus Christ” and admitted to targeting his neighbor’s vehicles.
Source: Greensburg: Vehicles damaged in Westmoreland County
A homeless man from Oregon was ordered to serve up to six years in prison for the burglary of a Greensburg church five days before Christmas in 2020.
Timothy Lansdale, 57, pleaded guilty Monday to felony charges of burglary and for failing to register with the state police as a convicted sex offender.
Lansdale broke into the Otterbein United Methodist Church on College Avenue in the morning hours of Dec. 20, 2020, police said. The sound system was dismantled, microphones were damaged, an internet router was disconnected and electronic equipment used with the organ and keyboard was strewn about, authorities said.
According to court records, police found cigarette butts and ashes around the building. Eight gift cards and a CD player were taken.
TribLIVE’s Daily and Weekly email newsletters deliver the news you want and information you need, right to your inbox.
Source: https://triblive.com/local/westmoreland/homeless-man-pleads-guilty-to-burglary-of-greensburg-church/
Westmoreland County’s Republican commissioners Wednesday refused to vote on a plan to install one drop box for mail-in ballots at the courthouse.
Commissioners Sean Kertes and Doug Chew said the box that had been in place for years in the courthouse’s lobby and last spring at the rear entrance of the building was underused and costly. Neither supported a proposal from Democratic Commissioner Gina Cerilli Thrasher to continue the program to install one drop box at the courthouse’s rear entrance ahead of the Nov. 8 general election.
“It’s cost-prohibitive for the number of ballots we got,” Chew said.
Source: Republican commissioners remove ballot drop box from Westmoreland courthouse
Investigators were called to South Sixth Street in Jeannette just around 9:45 p.m. Monday.
Source: Man rushed to the hospital after being stabbed multiple times in Westmoreland County
Two men are accused of having cellphones at Westmoreland County Prison, according to court papers. Leon D. Fair, 23, of Jeannette told authorities he sneaked his cellphone into the Hempfield jail Aug. 3 and used it to make calls to his family,
Leon D. Fair, 23, of Jeannette told authorities he sneaked his cellphone into the Hempfield jail Aug. 3 and used it to make calls to his family, to try to have bail posted and to watch pornography. Michael M. David, 37, of Moon, was caught with a phone eight days later, according to Westmoreland County detectives.
Source: Men caught with hidden cellphones at Westmoreland County Prison | TribLIVE.com
NORTH HUNTINGDON, Pa. —
A man was killed in a crash in North Huntingdon, Westmoreland County.
The crash happened a little after 9 p.m. Saturday on Maple Lane.
The Westmoreland County Coroner’s office identified the man as 29-year-old Tyler J. Cubakovic, of North Huntingdon Township.The coroner’s office said Cubakovic did not turn on the left curve in the roadway and instead struck a large rock/tree. He was pronounced dead on scene.
The cause of death was blunt force injuries due to the crash and the manner of death an accident, according to the coroner’s office.
Source: Man dead following crash in Westmoreland County
DERRY TOWNSHIP, Pa. —
A 36-year-old woman died following a two-vehicle crash in Derry Township, Westmoreland County.
The crash happened shortly before 3 p.m. Sunday near the intersection of Industrial Boulevard and Pandora Road.
State police said Jennifer Krinock, of Latrobe, was traveling west on Industrial Boulevard when a Toyota Camry turned off of Pandora Road in front of her vehicle.
Following the collision, Krinock was taken to the hospital, where she died of her injuries.
State police said she was not wearing a seatbelt at the time of the crash.
Source: 36-year-old woman killed in two-vehicle crash in Westmoreland County
Westmoreland County is hosting a job fair next month to fill between 50 and 75 open positions at the courthouse, nursing home, jail and other government entities.
The event will be from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. March 4 at Westmoreland Mall in Hempfield.
“We’re going to have a variety of jobs for multiple departments within the county,” said Alexis Bevan, director of human resources.
Open positions include: correctional and telecommunication officers, dietary and food service workers at Westmoreland Manor, clerical positions within the courthouse, Children’s Bureau case workers and network administrators in the IT department. A nursing shortage has also created several open nursing and nursing aid jobs at Westmoreland Manor.
Source: County job fair slated at Westmoreland Mall | TribLIVE.com
SEWICKLEY TOWNSHIP, Pa. —
State police said a 50-year-old man attacked a woman and two children inside a home Saturday evening after he woke up and discovered his methamphetamine had been destroyed.
Jason Bingaman, 50, is charged with multiple counts of aggravated assault and one count of making terroristic threats.
According to police, Bingaman was asleep in the bathtub in his home along Evans Street in Sewickley Township.When he woke up, police said he discovered a woman in the home had destroyed his stash of methamphetamine and became irate. Bingaman is accused of attacking the woman with a pair of scissors. She was able to escape the attack, police said.
Police said Bingaman then turned his attention to a 17-year-old girl in the home, striking her in the head and upper body area with a shovel.
Police said the victims were able to get outside and a man nearby helped stop the assault. According to the criminal complaint, Bingaman then went back into the home and grabbed a crossbow, firing it in the direction of the woman.
Source: Westmoreland County man accused of attacking three people over discarded meth
Some motorists are having a tough time getting used to a newly installed left-turn-yield traffic signal at North Greengate Road and Route 30, according to social media chatter.
The traffic signal is among 11 upgrades PennDOT has made since last spring along a 3-mile stretch of Route 30 between Jeannette and Hempfield. Bronder Technical Services was awarded a $2.4 million contract for the ongoing work.
As opposed to waiting on a steady green light and yielding to oncoming traffic before making the left turn from North Greengate onto Route 30 toward Greensburg, motorists are greeted by a flashing yellow signal that is designed to let them know it is OK to make a left turn — but to do so with caution and only after yielding to oncoming traffic and pedestrians.
“It’s a mess. Went from bad to worse,” Dave Blas posted to the popular Across Westmoreland Facebook page.
Andrea Baer of Grapeville said many drivers are unfamiliar with the flashing signal, and she believes they are confused by the “blinking” yellow signal.
The flashing yield signal follows the traditional green turn signal, followed by a steady yellow light and then a brief red light. After a seconds-long pause at red, the flashing yellow begins and lasts about 15 seconds.
Source: Drivers seeing red over flashing yellow signal at Route 30 intersection in Hempfield | TribLIVE.com
Shooting happened on Tuesday night.
MONESSEN, Pa. —
Police were investigating after a man was shot multiple times in Monessen, Westmoreland County.
The shooting happened a little before 7 p.m. Tuesday on Reed Avenue near Fourth Street.
Source: Man shot multiple times in Monessen
Crash happened early Thursday morning
IRWIN, Pa. —
A car carrier ended up on its side during a crash on the Pennsylvania Turnpike in Westmoreland County.
The crash happened around 1 a.m. Thursday in the westbound lanes near Irwin.
Crews were lifting each car out of the wreckage individually with a device similar to a crane.
It was initially unclear if there were any injuries.
Source: Car carrier overturns on Pennsylvania Turnpike in Westmoreland County
Greensburg police arrested a Jeannette man Wednesday, accusing him of breaking into Excela Health offices last weekend to steal a laptop computer and several petty items, according to court documents. Travis A. Gibson, 37, kicked open the doors to three offices inside 562 Shearer St. late Saturday, according to patrolman
Source: Man charged with burglaries of Greensburg medical offices
Vehicle ended up on its side early Wednesday morning
The crash happened around 1:30 a.m. Wednesday near the intersection of Swede Hill Road and Willow Crossing Road.
Source: State police investigating crash in Hempfield Township
Westmoreland County drivers can expect to see more police patrols focused on cracking down on aggressive and impaired drivers in the region through the New Year’s holiday.
“Whether it’s day or night, people can expect to see increased state police patrols targeting impaired drivers,” said Lt. Ryan Maher of Troop A in Greensburg.
Maher was among the local and state police officers and PennDOT officials who Thursday at the Latrobe Municipal Building announced the launch of the annual Operation Safe Holiday Campaign.
The patrols in Cambria, Indiana, Somerset and Westmoreland counties with Troop A will not only be focusing on impaired drivers, “but aggressive drivers and speeders,” Maher said.
During 2020, between Thanksgiving through New Year’s Day, Troop A investigated six traffic fatalities and 96 additional wrecks that resulted in injuries. Maher said 27 of those “holiday” accidents involved impaired drivers.
“Our goal is to attempt to reduce that number this year,” Maher said.
Source: Police in Westmoreland County to target DUI, aggressive drivers through New Year’s Day
A woman was injured in a road rage shooting on the Pennsylvania Turnpike in Westmoreland County on Sunday afternoon.
State police said the 38-year-old woman accidentally drifted into another lane of travel which resulted in another motorist being cut-off.
That other driver, identified by police as Andrew Skinner, 30, allegedly accelerated to the left side of the victim’s vehicle while traveling eastbound.
Police said Skinner then brandished a handgun and fired a single shot from his vehicle.
Skinner was later apprehended. State police say he’s expected to face several charges including attempted homicide.
Pittsburgh’s Action News 4 is working to get an update on the victim’s condition.
Source: Woman injured in road rage shooting on PA Turnpike
Senate Majority Leader Kim Ward, R-Hempfield, on Friday announced nearly $2 million in Commonwealth Financing Authority grants for five local projects in Westmoreland County.
The projects in Hempfield, Mt. Pleasant and Unity townships as well as Delmont and Jeannette were among 266 projects statewide totaling $94.4 million that the CFA approved. The grant allocations include $84 million for 166 transportation infrastructure projects in 54 counties and $10.4 million for 100 environmental and infrastructure projects in 38 counties.
“Strong communities help build strong economies,” Ward said. “The funding … will advance local infrastructure projects that are important to helping our community be a better place to live, work and raise a family.”
Local projects approved for funding are:
- Donohoe Road upgrades in Hempfield, $924,952;
- Sixth Street bridge repairs in Jeannette, $639,368;
- Delmont sediment and pollutant mitigation project, $225,000;
- culvert replacement in Mt. Pleasant Township, $112,000; and
- playground improvements at Unity Township Park, $75,000.
The grant programs are underwritten with money assessed through the state’s impact fee, which is paid by unconventional natural gas producers.
Source: Ward announces $2M for infrastructure projects in Westmoreland County
A slew of new stores are set to open at Westmoreland Mall, including two that previously shuttered at the Hempfield site.
Charlotte Russe and Christopher & Banks, which previously occupied storefronts at the mall, will be joined by locally owned Neecs Sneaks and Rock Bottom jewelry store.
The announcements come after the mall for several years lost tenants, with 10 empty storefronts in 2019. The decline was part of a national trend that continued through the covid-19 pandemic, leading to the closure of thousands of stores — including Charlotte Russe and Christopher & Banks.
During the pandemic in 2020, more than 12,000 stores closed nationwide, according to CoStar Group, which tracks data for the real estate industry.
Now, some of those stores are making a comeback.
Charlotte Russe in March 2019 announced the closure of all of its stores, including five in the Pittsburgh region. That same month, the company was purchased by YM Inc., a Toronto-based clothing manufacturer. By April 2019, officials announced 100 Charlotte Russe stores would reopen.
At Westmoreland Mall, Charlotte Russe is expected to open next spring, said Stacey Keating, spokeswoman for CBL Properties, which owns Westmoreland and Monroeville malls. The store will reopen in its previous storefront on the upper level of the former Sears wing.
Millers’ Prom and Formal Wear, which opened in mid-January after moving from its location in Greensburg, currently occupies the space. Store officials said they are moving to first floor of the Macy’s wing where Dressbarn was located.
Christopher & Banks filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection in February and began closing more than 400 stores nationally, including the Westmoreland Mall and Pittsburgh Mills locations. The store is slated to reopen in its former storefront at Westmoreland Mall, according to a sign posted outside the location.Keating said the store will open in early December.
The storefront is occupied by Knockerball Run, which will move to the second floor of the former Sears wing in a storefront previously occupied by Flix Up, a selfie studio.
Neecs Sneaks, which opened in Greensburg last year, will move into the former GNC storefront on the second level of the Macy’s wing.
Source: More new stores coming to Westmoreland Mall, with 2 set to reopen
WASHINGTON TOWNSHIP, Pa. —
One person is dead and seven people are injured following a multi-vehicle crash in Washington Township, Westmoreland County, Sunday evening.
Police say Zeth Reber, 22, of Washington Township, was pronounced dead on scene after a head-on-type collision at Route 380 east of Route 780 around 4:37 p.m.
Police say Reber was traveling in a Honda Civic in the eastbound lane of Route 380 and another driver named Abigail Jones, 23, of Carlisle, was traveling the wrong way in a Dodge Caravan — west — also in the eastbound lane.
Police say Jones’ car struck Reber’s car in a head-on type collision.
Seven occupants of the Dodge Caravan including the driver was transported to Forbes Regional Hospital for treatment of minor injuries.
The road was closed both ways on Route 380 between Route 780 and Route 66 as state police CARS unit conducted an accident reconstruction of the scene.
The investigation is ongoing.
Source: 22-year-old man dead, seven injured following wrong way crash in Washington Township
ROSTRAVER TOWNSHIP, Pa. —
One person was taken to the hospital after a tractor-trailer went off of Interstate 70 in Rostraver, Westmoreland County.
The Rostraver Central Fire Department said the crash happened Thursday night between mile-markers 43 and 44.
The tractor-trailer came to a rest adjacent to Finley Road.There was no initial word on the cause of the crash.
Crash happened on Thursday night
Source: One person hurt when tractor-trailer goes off of I-70 in Westmoreland County
Scottdale’s Tim Carson on Tuesday went from caterer to coroner and ended the political dynasty that has the Westmoreland County office for nearly a half century.
With 100% of the vote counted, the Republican appeared to defeat five-term incumbent Democrat Ken Bacha. The owner of Carson’s Premier Catering in Scottdale had more 51% of the vote and led Bacha by about 2,400 votes.
Bacha moved out to an early lead based totals from mail-in votes. That lead was gone by 11:30 p.m.
Results are unofficial until verified by the county election bureau.
Source: Carson defeats Bacha in Westmoreland coroner’s race, as GOP sweeps county row offices | TribLIVE.com
KDKA-TV has a full result breakdown of local, county and statewide election races people in Pittsburgh and Pennsylvania need to know about.
A number of important state and locally elected officials were on the ballot and determined by voters.
We have a full breakdown of local and statewide race you need to know about.
Last updated: 3:45 a.m., Wednesday
CITY AND COUNTY ELECTIONS
PITTSBURGH MAYORAL RACE
Edward C. Gainey (Democrat) — 48,430
Tony Moreno (Republican) — 19,552ALLEGHENY COUNTY SHERIFF
Kevin Kraus — 218,862
Write-In — 7,764ALLEGHENY COUNTY COUNCIL DISTRICT 1
Jack Betkowski (Democrat) — 12,092
Joe Wise (Republican) — 11,490ALLEGHENY COUNTY COUNCIL DISTRICT 3
Anita Prizio (Democrat) — 14,917
Meredith Dolan (Republican) — 12,604ALLEGHENY COUNTY COUNCIL DISTRICT 4
Patrick Catena Jr. (Democrat) — 15,651
Jennie Brown (Republican) — Did not make the ballotALLEGHENY COUNTY COUNCIL DISTRICT 8
Michelle Naccarati-Chapkis (Democrat) — 12,132
Eric Casteel (Republican) — 7,795ALLEGHENY COUNTY COUNCIL DISTRICT 9
Bob Macey (Democrat) — 11,929
Write-In — 405ALLEGHENY COUNTY COUNCIL DISTRICT 12
Robert Palmosina (Democrat) — 15,555
Write-In — 394PITTSBURGH CITY COUNCIL DISTRICT 2
Theresa Kail Smith (Democrat) — 6,003
Write-In — 243PITTSBURGH CITY COUNCIL DISTRICT 4
Anthony Coghill (Democrat) — 5,228
Connor Mulvaney (Green Party) — 2,362
Write-In — 81PITTSBURGH CITY COUNCIL DISTRICT 6
Robert Daniel Lavelle (Democrat) — 4,206
Write-In — 92PITTSBURGH CITY COUNCIL DISTRICT 8
Erika Strassburger (Democrat) — 6,663
Write-In — 164PITTSBURGH PUBLIC SCHOOL BOARD: DISTRICT 1
Sylvia C. Wilson (incumbent) — 4,213
PITTSBURGH PUBLIC SCHOOL BOARD: DISTRICT 3
Sala Udin (incumbent) — 5,728
PITTSBURGH PUBLIC SCHOOL BOARD: DISTRICT 5
Terry Kennedy (incumbent) — 2,075
Tracey Reed (challenger) — 5,142PITTSBURGH PUBLIC SCHOOL BOARD: DISTRICT 7
Jamie Piotrowski — 4,537
PITTSBURGH PUBLIC SCHOOL BOARD: DISTRICT 9
Veronica M. Edwards (incumbent) — 2,487
Gene Walker (challenger) — 5,218ALLEGHENY COUNTY COURT OF COMMON PLEAS:
Democratic Candidates
Elliot Howsie — 147,911
Thomas P. Caulfield — 144,435
Jessel Costa — 137,933
Nicola Henry-Taylor — 150,113
Tiffany Sizemore — 148,044
Chelsa Wagner — 145,314
Wrenna Watson — 146,824Republican Candidates
Joesph Patrick Murphy — 101,341
Bruce Beemer — 139,459
William Caye II — 97,598
Anthony DeLuca — 108,650
Daniel J. Konieczka Jr. — 95,794
Chuck Porter — 93,776
Sabrina Korbel — 144,605
Mark Patrick Flaherty — 100,827
Rick Hosking — 83,768
Lisa Middleman — 144,610Green Party Candidates
Richard Weiss — 41,028WESTMORELAND COUNTY DISTRICT ATTORNEY
John Peck (I) (Democrat) — 36,581
Nicole Ziccarelli (C) (Republican) — 49,776PA SUPREME COURT
Maria McLaughlin (Democrat) — 1,218,406
Kevin Brobson (Republican) — 1,353,039PA SUPERIOR COURT
Timika Lane (Democrat) — 1,130,612
Megan Sullivan (Republican) — 1,429,265PA COMMONWEALTH COURT
David Lee Spurgeon (Democrat) — 1,038,515
Lori A. Dumas (Democrat) — 1,147,885
Drew Crompton (Republican) — 1,232,994
Stacy Marie Wallace (Republican) — 1,309,940
Source: 2021 Municipal Election Results – CBS Pittsburgh
By: KDKA-TV News Staff
GREENSBURG, Pa. (KDKA) – Nicole Ziccarelli has won the race for Westmoreland County district attorney.
READ MORE:Pittsburgh Weather: Sunshine But Colder Temperatures Expected On Wednesday
Ziccarelli won the race with 57.61% of the vote, receiving 49,776 votes.
This year’s municipal election gave incumbent Democrat John Peck his first serious challenge in years in Republican Nicole Ziccarelli.
Democrat Peck is a familiar figure in the courthouse, a seasoned prosecutor who has been the county’s district attorney since 1994. Last year, Peck got the death penalty for the convicted killer of New Kensington police officer Brian Shaw.
Ziccarelli, 30 years younger than Peck, said she could bring new vitality to the office, something Peck said he hasn’t lost. Ziccarelli lost a very close election last year to Pennsylvania Sen. Jim Brewster.
MORE NEWS:2021 Municipal Election Results
While Peck prosecutes criminal cases himself, Ziccarelli, primarily a family lawyer, told KDKA’s Jon Delano she wanted to be like a managing partner in a law firm.
Source: Nicole Ziccarelli Unseats John Peck As Westmoreland County District Attorney – CBS Pittsburgh
69-year-old Daniel Jacobs was last seen nearly two weeks ago
Police said he frequents the nature trail and walking path on Lincoln Avenue.
Anyone who knows where Jacobs is or has seen him should contact their local police.
Source: Latrobe police seek help in locating missing man
By Renatta Signorini
You can contact Renatta at 724-837-5374, rsignorini@triblive.com or via Twitter .
A Youngwood man was charged Thursday after state police said he took $50,000 worth of guns, tools, coins and military collectibles from two abandoned houses, according to court papers.
George Raymond Weightman III, 43, told investigators he broke into the houses in Adamsburg and Hempfield to fund a drug addiction. He was jailed without bail on numerous counts of burglary, theft, receiving stolen property, criminal mischief and weapons violations.
He was being held at the Westmoreland County Prison.
State police arrested him Monday on two counts of receiving stolen property in connection with two guns reported stolen from the Adamsburg home.
Source: Youngwood man accused of taking $50K worth of guns, other items from 2 abandoned houses
Incident happened late Thursday night
ARNOLD, Pa. —
A shooting in Arnold, Westmoreland County, left one person injured.
The shooting happened a little after 11:55 p.m. Thursday on the 1500 block of Fourth Avenue
Source: Westmoreland County shooting leaves one injured, shooter on the run
Crash happened early Tuesday morning
ROSTRAVER TOWNSHIP, Pa. —
Route 906 was shut down near Turkey Hollow Road in Rostraver Township following a rollover crash.
The crash, which involved at least one vehicle, happened early Tuesday morning.
Source: Route 906 shut down in Rostraver Township following rollover crash
Crash happened on Thursday night.
HEMPFIELD TOWNSHIP, Pa. —
A crash in Hempfield Township, Westmoreland County, sent one person to the hospital.
The crash happened around 9 p.m. Thursday on Penn-High Park Road near Highbrow Lane.
Source: Hempfield Township crash sends one person to the hospital
