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CRIME & SAFETY
A Westmoreland County police department will reestablish its K-9 unit for the first time in more than 20 years
DELMONT, Pa. (KDKA) - One of Westmoreland County's police departments will once again have a K-9 program. According to Westmoreland County District Attorney Nicole Ziccarelli's office, the Delmont Police will once again have a K-9 program thanks to funding from the state. Approximately $60,000 was allocated to Delmonth Borough for the purchasing of a K-9-accessible SUV. "These funds are a perfect example of how state and local government should be working together to make our communities safe and an even better place to live," said Pennsylvania State Senate President Pro Tempore Kim Ward. "The nearly $60,000 will be used to reestablish the Delmont...
Authorities release name of woman found dead in burning Unity home
Authorities have released the name of a woman whose body was found in her burning home in Unity Township earlier this month. The Columbiana County Coroner tells 21 News that toxicology reports are pending in the death of 85-year-old Dorothy Gorby before a cause of death can be determined. The...
Man accused of killing owner of Mogie's not competent to stand trial, lawyers say
PITTSBURGH (KDKA) — Lawyers defending the man accused of shooting and killing a Westmoreland County bar and restaurant owner said he's not competent to stand trial. Nathan Salem is accused of killing David "Mogie" Magill, the owner of Mogie's Irish Pub, on Dec. 21, 2023. Salem's lawyers are now waiting for the judge to rule on getting mental health care for him. The lawyers want the case put on hold until a competency hearing is conducted. In February, Salem went before a judge and all charges, including first-degree murder and criminal homicide, were held for court.During testimony in February, a possible motive behind the shooting was revealed where it was alleged Salem shot Magill because he believed he was a drug-dealing pedophile. Prosecutors denied that allegation, stressing there's no evidence behind the claim.Mogie's Irish Pub reopened on Jan. 29, with Magill's two kids taking over the business. They said they are focused on honoring their dad's legacy.At Mogie's, guests see the same staff and menu. But there are permanent reminders about Magill, like pictures with his cat and his daughter.Salem has been at the Westmoreland County Jail since the day of the shooting.
Man accused of disrupting multiple Pittsburgh-area church services taken into custody
ROSS TOWNSHIP, Pa. (KDKA) -- A man from Westmoreland County has been arrested and is accused of disrupting multiple church services throughout the Pittsburgh area.Joseph Gorencic, Jr. of Lower Burrell is accused of going into nearly a dozen churches and screaming at a priest, among other disruptive behavior. A Pittsburgh Catholic Diocese spokesperson tells KDKA that Gorencic was recently taken into custody.Ross Township Police say that on April 22, Gorencic got in line for communion during a service at St. Sebastian Church along Siebert Road and when got near the front of the line, he began screaming at the priest and...
Westmoreland City Post Office reopens
The Westmoreland City Post Office reopened Wednesday morning, nine days after an SUV crashed into the building. Postal customers were asked to use the office in Manor during the temporary closure. The SUV crashed into the Walnut Street building May 6. No one was hurt. A postal service spokesman did...
Police: Man Accused of Urinating in Public in Clarion Borough, Giving False Name
CLARION BOROUGH, Pa. (EYT) — The case against a local man charged with false report and DUI offenses in 2020 is moving through the system. According to court documents, the following criminal charges against 67-year-old Ronald James Thompson, of Irwin, were waived for court during a preliminary hearing on Tuesday, May 7, 2024, in Clarion County Central Court:
Judge acquits man who claimed self-defense in Carrick fatal bar shooting
A Pittsburgh man who claimed self-defense was found not guilty on Monday in a fatal shooting at a Carrick bar in December. Corey Rall, 26, of Carrick was charged with criminal homicide in the shooting death of Cole Kerns, 28, of East McKeesport on Dec. 3 at Sophie’s Saloon on Brownsville Road.
New police chief patrolling streets without state certification
NORTH BRADDOCK, Pa. — The chief of a new regional police department wears a badge, carries a gun and patrols the streets. But Action News Investigates has learned the chief is not state-certified as a police officer. Derrick Turner was hired in March to be chief of the Eastern...
Judge again refuses to dismiss murder charge for man accused of causing Dravosburg school van crash
For the last several months, the defense team for William Soliday has had the same argument — that the crash that killed 15-year-old Samantha Kalkbrenner was a terrible accident.
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