Rich Cholodofsky stories, Page 48
Arona man pleads guilty to fatal drunken-driving crash in Hempfield
An Arona man pleaded guilty Tuesday for his role in a fatal crash nearly two years ago in Hempfield that killed a woman and injured her husband in a two-vehicle collision. Ronald A. Jaffre, 55, was charged last year with vehicular homicide and other offenses in connection with the April...
Westmoreland seeks housing options for juveniles charged with adult crimes
Westmoreland County court officials scrambled this week to find proper housing for juveniles who must remain incarcerated as they await trial on charges of serious adult offenses. As many as eight teens charged in Westmoreland County cases were being held in the youthful offenders pod in Allegheny County Jail, but...
Westmoreland County Commissioner Gina Cerilli Thrasher won’t seek reelection
Westmoreland County Commissioner Gina Cerilli Thrasher announced Tuesday she will not seek reelection. “After careful consideration, I have decided to not run for a third term as county commissioner,” Thrasher said in a news release issued Tuesday night. “I truly enjoyed my time as county commissioner, it afforded me the...
Patterson joins race for Rostraver district judge
A third candidate has entered the race for a soon-to-be vacant district judge’s seat in Rostraver. Karen Patterson, 56, announced her candidacy to replace Judge Charles Christner, who will retire later this year. Patterson is a registered Republican and said she will cross file and intends to appear on both...
Labor deal finalized with Westmoreland jail counselors
A new four-year labor deal was approved this week by Westmoreland commissioners with the union that represents counselors who work at the county jail. The deal with the International Brotherhood of Teamsters Local 205 includes annual raises of about 3%, according to Westmoreland County Human Resources Director Alexis Bevan. The...
Westmoreland commissioners tout accomplishments, look to the future in State of the County addresses
Jobs, economic development, affordable child care and infrastructure enhancements were touted by Westmoreland commissioners Friday during the annual “State of the County” luncheon. More than 200 business and community leaders attended the event at Stratigos Banquet Center in North Huntingdon. It was sponsored by the Westmoreland County Chamber of Commerce....
Westmoreland commissioners asked to oppose mine, landfill expansion projects
More than a dozen opponents to proposed coal mine and landfill expansions in Westmoreland County pleaded with leaders Thursday to help their cause. Speaking during the commissioners’ meeting, members of the Mountain Watershed Association and others spoke out against the projects. They asked county leaders to lobby on their behalf...
Kertes launches campaign for 2nd term as Westmoreland commissioner
Westmoreland County Commissioner Sean Kertes said his job isn’t done. Kertes, a Republican from Greensburg, has announced his intentions to run for a second term as one of three board members who run county government. “It’s about moving Westmoreland County in a new and better direction,” Kertes said. Kertes, 36,...
Hempfield man pleads guilty to possession of child pornography
A Hempfield man was ordered to serve up to 23 months in jail after he pleaded guilty to possessing hundreds of videos containing child pornography. Scott J. Lynch, 60, was originally charged in September 2021 with more than 711 counts of possession of child pornography . According to court records,...
Westmoreland DA crash racks up nearly $33,000 in SUV repairs
Although Westmoreland County District Attorney Nicole Ziccarelli described the crash she had in her county-provided SUV last year as minor, it resulted in a nearly $33,000 repair bill. According to documents obtained by the Tribune-Review under the state’s Right-to-Know law, the 2021 Ford Explorer XLT four-wheel drive SUV assigned to...
Judge upholds sex assault convictions of Mt. Pleasant Township man
A Westmoreland County judge denied the appeal of a Mt. Pleasant Township man who is serving a 50-year prison sentence after being convicted of sexually assaulting two young girls. Common Pleas Court Judge Scott Mears said there was no basis to overturn the convictions against Kenneth Daniels. Following a three-day...
Former Mt. Pleasant cop paroled after 2 sexual assault convictions overturned
A former part-time Mt. Pleasant police officer was freed from jail Monday and ordered to serve an additional five years on probation for the sexual assault of a woman eight years ago. John A. Brown, 50, of Mt. Lebanon was convicted of misdemeanor indecent assault and simple assault offenses based...
Westmoreland Republicans back incumbent office holders
Westmoreland County Republicans announced their support for the party’s slate of incumbents at a meeting organized before candidates can formally enter the race. “We know incumbency is not necessarily a guarantee, but having a chance to vet candidates early is what prompted the timing,” Republican Committee Chairman Bill Bretz said....
Westmoreland gears up for 2023 election, first batch of ballot applications mailed
Applications were sent last week to nearly 53,000 Westmoreland County residents who previously signed up to be “permanent” mail-in voters. “We are required to do this every year,” said Election Bureau Director Greg McCloskey. “It’s permanent just for one year.” Voters are required each year to update their permanent mail-in...
Local districts await fallout from Pa. court ruling on school funding
Funding Pennsylvania’s 500 school districts was never going to be an easy equation to solve. The diverse nature of the state — rural and urban, wealthy and poor — coupled with funding decisions enacted by Pennsylvania lawmakers resulted in a lawsuit being filed eight years ago, claiming bias in the...
Butler police investigate shooting
Butler City police are investigating the shooting of a man wounded Sunday morning on West New Castle Street. Police said officers were alerted by a neighbor who heard a single shot fired and yelling. When they responded to the scene at 2:25 a.m. officers found Robert Green, 43, of Butler...
Man found shot in head on Pittsburgh’s North Side dies in hospital
A 23-year-old man was found Sunday afternoon on Pittsburgh’s North Side with a gunshot wound to the head. Pittsburgh police said officers responded just before 1:15 p.m. to the 600 block of Chautauqua Street for reports of a man unresponsive inside a vehicle with a gunshot wound to the head....
Squires announces reelection bid for county treasurer
Westmoreland County Treasurer Jared Squires announced he will run for a fourth term in office. Squires, 45, a Republican from Mt. Pleasant Township, was first elected in 2011 and reelected in 2015 and 2019. “I will continue to bring my experience, knowledge and passion for public service to the position...
Seton Hill students perform community service projects, help renovate teen’s new home
Ashley Shaplye’s life is about to change. The Norwin High School senior spent Saturday with members of the Seton Hill University men’s soccer team and athletes renovating what is expected to be her new home later this year. Shaplye’s new home is being renovated as part of a Habitat for...
Westmoreland water authority lifts water warning
Municipal Authority of Westmoreland County officials have announced a potentially hazardous substance found last fall in a portion of the local water supply has fallen below state and federal guidelines. In November, about 50,000 water customers south of Route 30 in Westmoreland and Fayette counties were notified that averages of...
Mt. Pleasant man sentenced to jail for sale of drug in fatal overdose
A judge rejected a defense request Friday to allow a Mt. Pleasant man who pleaded guilty late last year to selling a fatal dose of fentanyl-laced heroin to serve out a sentence while at home. Westmoreland County Judge Common Pleas Court Judge Scott Mears said the circumstances of the case...
Additional jail time ordered for Jeannette man who shot at neighbor’s home
A Jeannette man acquitted of the attempted murder of a neighbor was sentenced Friday to serve up to 23 months in jail for firing a shotgun at the man’s home. Dale A. Shaw, 66, was ordered by Westmoreland County Common Pleas Court Judge Scott Mears ordered to serve at least...
Former part-time cop gets probation for improper traffic stop
A former Southwest Greensburg part-time police officer was sentenced Friday to serve one year on probation for making an illegal traffic stop while off duty and outside of his jurisdiction. James Edward Shaw, 56, of Connellsville was convicted of the misdemeanor offense following a nonjury trial in December. It stemmed...
Ohio truck driver sentenced to prison for fatal crash on Interstate 70 in South Huntingdon
An Ohio truck driver will serve up to two years in prison for causing a fatal crash along Interstate 70 that left a New Stanton man dead and severely injured two motorists . Charles C. Walker, 59, of Columbus, Ohio, pleaded guilty in December to charges of vehicular homicide, aggravated...
Westmoreland County Courthouse garage construction behind schedule
The $7 million reconstruction project of a two-story underground parking garage at the Westmoreland County Courthouse is about six months behind schedule, but officials said final preparations are being readied to complete the work by the end of April. Work started last April to demolish and rebuild the parking structure...
