Rich Cholodofsky stories, Page 70
1 dead, another injured in I-279 crash in Ross
A man was killed and another injured in a crash early Monday on the Parkway North in Ross. State police said David P. Rennebeck, 67, of Pittsburgh, died from injuries suffered in a two-car crash in the northbound lanes of Interstate 279. Rennebeck had been driving a car that struck...
Westmoreland economic development marketing director retires after one last deal
Joe Sisley’s fingerprints are all over economic development in Westmoreland County. “Joe has sold or leased every property in Westmoreland County’s industrial park system,” said Jason Rigone, executive director of the county’s Industrial Development Corp. There are more than 170 companies occupying 1,200 acres of land and — until the...
Bacha dynasty comes to an end in Westmoreland County coroner’s office
Ken Bacha’s father, Leo, served as Westmoreland County coroner for almost 24 years before he retired in 2001. At first, Ken Bacha didn’t consider going into the family business, which included ownership of two local funeral homes in addition to the elected coroner duties. “I am the fourth generation out...
After 27 years, John Peck walks away with long legacy as Westmoreland’s district attorney
John Peck stood before a Westmoreland County jury in early December and for the next 40 minutes argued for a conviction. It marked the last time Peck would do so as the county’s district attorney — a job he’s held since 1994. He leaves at year’s end after failing in...
Westmoreland County DA-elect Nicole Ziccarelli says transition team not getting cooperation from predecessor
Westmoreland County District Attorney-elect Nicole Ziccarelli said Wednesday she and her new administrative team are set to begin work Jan. 3 to replace outgoing prosecutor John Peck, who she said has so far refused to cooperate with the transition. “My predecessor is not interested in creating a transition team with...
Westmoreland County settles federal lawsuit alleging assault of inmate from New Kensington
A federal lawsuit filed by a former Westmoreland County Prison inmate who claimed he was beaten by a guard in 2018 has been settled. The county commissioners this month approved a $27,500 settlement to end the case filed by DaRob Wright of New Kensington. “It was completely unjustified,” attorney John...
Greensburg man charged with directing woman to record video of sex act with child wants case dismissed
A Greensburg man awaiting trial on charges that he directed his ex-girlfriend to have sex with a child and record the act now contends the case is based on an improper police search of his cell phone. A new lawyer for Charles Jason Hunter, 35, in court documents made public...
Westmoreland jail sees coronavirus cases ease in recent days
Westmoreland County Prison Warden Bryan Kline said that as of Monday there are 21 current coronavirus infections at the jail but no additional cases have been reported since late last week. Kline said the last inmate to test positive for the virus was on Dec. 17. “It’s getting better,” Kline...
Westmoreland doles out retroactive pandemic hazard pay to top administrators
Nearly two years after the fact, Westmoreland County’s senior executives, department heads and other top administrators will receive bonuses for their work in the early days of the coronavirus pandemic. Commissioners on Monday unanimously approved retroactive pandemic pay for about 60 county officials for 10 days of work between March...
Westmoreland County signs on to $26B settlement in opioid lawsuit
Westmoreland County on Monday signed up to be part of a proposed $26 billion national settlement with three major drugmakers to end a lawsuit over the ongoing opioid epidemic. The county and its 11 largest municipalities would receive up to $22 million over the next 18 years, commissioners said. “This...
Murder charges dismissed against 2 women implicated in Arnold killing; both plead guilty to lesser charges
Westmoreland County prosecutors on Friday dismissed murder charges against two women implicated in the 2019 robbery and killing of a man in Arnold. Instead, Santyna M. Bennett, 28, of New Kensington and Bailey Ann Hines, 27, of Butler pleaded guilty to lesser charges in return for their cooperation with police...
Westmoreland County Transit Authority union rejects covid vaccine incentive
Leadership of the union that represents Westmoreland County Transit Authority fixed-route bus drivers and mechanics said Friday a proposal to offer additional sick leave to vaccinated employees who test positive for the coronavirus is not fair and won’t present the plan to its members. Dave Conley, president of the Amalgamated...
Manor man to serve up to 14 years in prison for drug sales in fatal overdoses
Westmoreland County Common Pleas Court Judge Tim Krieger said he struggled with just how much blame to assign to a man who pleaded guilty earlier this year to selling the drugs used in the fatal overdoses of two men in 2017. “This is a scourge that is destroying our society,...
Judge rejects appeal of New Stanton teen convicted in murders of mother, brother
The former New Stanton teenager who claimed he was under the influence of an alternate personality that made him kill his mother and younger brother more than five years ago told a Westmoreland County judge he hasn’t received proper mental health treatment as he serves a prison sentence of 30...
Commissioners halt reading of emailed comments during public meetings
Time is an asset Westmoreland County commissioners said they can no longer waste. Starting next year, commissioners will save some of it by no longer listening to emailed comments at the start of each public meeting. “It is time constraints, and we do have back-to-back meetings,” Commissioner Gina Cerilli Thrasher...
Westmoreland commissioners trim deficit in 2022 budget, which overspends but won’t raise taxes
Westmoreland County commissioners on Thursday approved a 2022 budget that increases spending but also trims a projected deficit by nearly $7 million. The property tax rate will remain unchanged at 21.49 mills. “Overall, we are financially looking solid as we move forward into the next two years,” Commissioner Sean Kertes...
MAWC water rates unchanged in new budget set for approval in January
Water rates for Municipal Authority of Westmoreland County customers are expected to remain unchanged during the 2022-23 fiscal year. A preliminary budget unveiled this week calls for the authority to retain its rate structure even as inflation has raised the costs associated with routine repairs and other upgrades planned for...
Controller blasts Westmoreland commissioners over rejection of pay raise proposal
Westmoreland Controller Jeff Balzer called a vote by county commissioners Thursday to reject proposed raises for three of his office supervisors “incompetent or political.” For the second time this year, Commissioners Doug Chew and Gina Cerilli Thrasher voted down a request from the controller to increase the pay of three...
Murder conviction reinstated for Penn Township man
A federal appeals court this week reinstated the first-degree murder conviction of a former Penn Township man who has been serving a life prison sentence in connection with the fatal shooting of a romantic rival in 2006. A three-judge panel of the U.S. Third Circuit Court of Appeals reversed a...
Latrobe man pleads guilty to resisting arrest
A Latrobe man was set to be released from jail Wednesday after he pleaded guilty to a lesser charge in connection with an incident in which a city police officer claimed he was bitten during an attempted arrest in September. Codi J. Barger, 27, pleaded guilty to misdemeanor charges of...
Murrysville arson suspect to remain in jail pending trial
A Westmoreland County judge on Monday rejected a defense request for a nominal bond that would have allowed the Murrysville man accused of setting fire to a local restaurant to be released from jail as he awaits trial. Brian P. Lucas, 44, was charged with arson and other offenses in...
Westmoreland sheriff, commissioners reach deal to end inmate transport standoff
Westmoreland County Sheriff James Albert said a tentative settlement was reached to resolve a lawsuit he filed in October that sought to lift the requirement for his deputies to transport jail inmates for medical care. Following a closed-door meeting Monday convened by Common Pleas Court Judge Chris Scherer with lawyers...
Twin brother defense rejected in appeal of Jeannette shooting case
A state appeals court has upheld the first-degree murder conviction and life prison sentence of a Penn Hills man who claimed his dead twin brother was responsible for a fatal shooting in Jeannette in 2017. A three judge-panel of the Pennsylvania Superior Court ruled this week there was no merit...
Shetler transferred to Westmoreland jail, claims additional medical care needed
A former St. Clair Township man acquitted of murder in the 2015 killing of a police officer is back in the Westmoreland County Prison, where he will remain pending the outcome of new case stemming from his arrest this week for alleged probation violations. Ray Allen Shetler Jr., 37, appeared...
Jury in fatal overdose case finds Export man not guilty of most serious charge, guilty of lesser charges
A Westmoreland County jury on Thursday said an Export man was not guilty of causing the death of a co-worker who died in 2018 from an overdose of heroin and fentanyl. Jurors deliberated more than six hours before it returned a mixed verdict in which it acquitted Kelly Ryan Frank...
