Rich Cholodofsky stories

Rich Cholodofsky

Westmoreland seeks to fill summer jobs at county parks

Westmoreland County is looking for summer help. The county is seeking to hire as many as 15 high school seniors and college students for seasonal jobs in the county’s parks department. Open positions include environmental aides who will staff the county’s summer day camp programs and children’s activities. There are...
McKeesport man receives prison sentence for Unity home invasion

A McKeesport man prosecutors said was the ringleader of a group who entered a Unity home, stabbed its occupant and stole money and guns was ordered this week to serve up to 14 years in prison. Sean C. Jones, 22, pleaded guilty in November to charges of aggravated assault, conspiracy,...
Former Ligonier Valley police chief, drug rehab facility sued over sexual assault allegations

Former Ligonier police chief John Berger and a Donegal Township addiction treatment facility are being sued by a woman who claims she was sexually assaulted during an inpatient stay there in 2024. The 12-count lawsuit filed in Westmoreland County contends Berger worked as a behavioral health technician at Dreamlife Recovery...
Westmoreland County Democrats continue push for ballot drop boxes

Westmoreland County Democrats continued their pressure campaign Tuesday for the installation of drop boxes for mail-in ballots prior to next month’s primary election. At a rally in front of the county courthouse in Greensburg, a group of Democratic leaders lobbied in favor of a plan to install drop boxes. They...
Southwest Greensburg man pleads guilty to sex assaults of child two decades ago

A Westmoreland County judge said he was ready to give a break to a Southwest Greensburg man who pleaded guilty Tuesday to the sexual assaults of a 12-year-old two decades ago. Michael Bompiani, 45, had just agreed to serve a 7-to-14-year prison sentence when he addressed the judge. “I am...
Judge weighs testimony from surviving children in Delmont mother’s murder trial

Whether two daughters and a stepson will be required to testify against their mother in her upcoming murder trial is now in the hands of a Westmoreland County judge. At issue is whether the three children are competent to testify against Lauren Maloberti, 36, or if the court will allow...
Westmoreland County’s housing director named to state housing finance board

Westmoreland County Housing Authority Executive Director Michael Washowich has been appointed to serve as a board member for the state agency that has been a key to financing a construction boom for low-income seniors over the last decade. Washowich, 62, of North Huntingdon was named in March to the 14-member...
New Kensington man pleads guilty for baseball bat assault

A New Kensington man was ordered to serve at least four years in prison for the assault of a house guest with a baseball bat. Brian Mikesell, 51, pleaded guilty to one felony count of aggravated assault in connection with an incident at his home on March 12, 2025 that...
Death row inmate Kevin Murphy appeals to Pa. Supreme Court in Westmoreland triple murder case

A Loyalhanna businessman on death row for 16 years is asking the Pennsylvania Supreme Court to hear an appeal for a new trial. Lawyers for Kevin Murphy are challenging a ruling last month by Westmoreland County Common Pleas Court Judge Meagan Bilik-DeFazio that upheld his triple homicide convictions. Bilik-DeFazio previously...
Mt. Pleasant house party shooting suspects denied bail reduction

Two of the four men charged in connection with a drive-by shooting at a Mt. Pleasant Township house will remain in jail after a judge on Tuesday refused to reduce their $250,000 bonds. Westmoreland County Common Pleas Judge Christopher Feliciani rejected requests from Nino S. Manno, 21, of Adamsburg and...
Westmoreland County Housing Authority to implement new ‘house rules’ for visitors

Visitors to Westmoreland County Housing Authority properties will soon face new “house rules” as officials look to crack down on bad behavior and improve safety. The agency’s board on Tuesday authorized Executive Director Michael Washowich and management to draft and implement standardized guidelines for guests. The move will codify what...
Penn Township man remains jailed as defense claims horseplay in injury case

A Penn Township man remains in jail as his attorney claims a neighbor’s brain trauma and fractured skull resulted from a wrestling match and horseplay. Westmoreland County Common Pleas Court Judge Christopher Feliciani rejected a request Monday from Jake G. Stepansky to be released on nominal bond. Stepansky was charged...
Westmoreland names acting public defender after office leader suffers medical emergency

Westmoreland County commissioners have moved quickly to fill a leadership vacancy in the Public Defender’s Office. The move comes after the man hired in February suffered a serious medical emergency that is expected to keep him off the job for a prolonged period. James Spriestersbach, 41, was tapped in mid-February...
Judge denies motion to dismiss charges in 16-year-old Samantha Lang murder case

A Westmoreland County judge has cleared the way for a 16-year-old cold case murder trial to proceed, rejecting a Derry Township man’s argument that the charges were filed too late. In a ruling issued this week, Common Pleas Court Judge Tim Krieger denied a motion to dismiss homicide and burglary...
Westmoreland commissioners reject requests for ballot drop boxes

Despite a full-court press from more than a dozen residents at Thursday’s public meeting, Westmoreland County’s Republican commissioners said they will not reinstate the use of drop boxes for upcoming elections. “I do appreciate the intense lobbying but my position has not changed,” said Commissioner Doug Chew. Chew and Commissioner...
Greensburg officials pitch $70M plan to convert First Commonwealth Bank building into apartments

A century-old downtown Greensburg landmark could become a $70 million residential hub under a new proposal unveiled Friday. The project would transform the First Commonwealth Bank building into 111 apartments aimed at empty nesters, students and young families. City officials say the proposed redevelopment of the seven-story building on Main...

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