Rich Cholodofsky stories, Page 48
Stabbing victim files lawsuit against Greensburg Rialto owner
The now shuttered Rialto Bar and Bistro in Greensburg violated state liquor laws, had insufficient security and improperly trained staff prior to a near-fatal stabbing that left one man injured in November, a new lawsuit alleges. The court filing in Westmoreland County claims the Rialto on Otterman Street had an...
Thiel announces candidacy for Ligonier district judge
Allison Thiel wants to continue in her mother’s footsteps. Thiel, 38, of Ligonier Township, announced she will run for the soon-to-be vacant district judge’s seat, replacing her mother, Denise Snyder Thiel, who will retire at the end of the year after serving more than three decades in office. Allison Thiel...
Judge defers to future jury to decide 8-year-old rape case against Unity couple
A Westmoreland County judge on Tuesday rejected a request from defense attorneys to preside over a nonjury trial of a Unity couple originally charged eight years ago in connection with allegations brought by a teenager. Common Pleas Judge Tim Krieger said the cases against Bruce Palmer, 38, and his now...
Westmoreland judges resume prison board membership
For the first time in more than a decade, Westmoreland judges will have a voice on the county’s prison board. Common Pleas Judge Harry Smail Jr. attended his first meeting Monday of the now seven-member prison board as part of an effort by judges to have more influence on the...
Westmoreland County kicks off birthday celebration
Westmoreland County’s birthday bash kicked off with a treat. More than 500 red, white and blue cupcakes were handed out to courthouse workers Monday to signify the start of the county’s 250th birthday celebration and commemorate the founding of the county in 1773. Commissioners Sean Kertes and Doug Chew led...
Experts: Senate job not to blame for Fetterman health concerns
The eyes of the country were watching Democratic U.S. Sen. John Fetterman as the former Braddock mayor and Pennsylvania lieutenant governor took office in January, just months after his recovery from a life-threatening stroke. Just weeks into the job, Fetterman checked himself into the hospital in early February for tests...
Kosko joins GOP field for Westmoreland commissioner
Paul Kosko of Hempfield has joined a field of at least four candidates who are seeking two Republican nominations for Westmoreland County commissioner. Kosko, 62, joins incumbents Sean Kertes and Doug Chew, along with retired executive John Ventre, as candidates in the May primary as Republicans attempt to hold their...
Former inmate claims mistreatment in Westmoreland jail
A former Westmoreland County Prison inmate claims his mistreatment while he was at the jail led to health issues that have left him confined to a nursing home, according to lawsuit filed this week. James Robert Frantz, formerly of Hempfield, contends he sustained injuries in a fight with another inmate...
Westmoreland municipal authority approves $31 million treatment plant expansion
The Municipal Authority of Westmoreland County will spend $31 million to expand and upgrade a water treatment plant near Connellsville — a 70% jump in the cost estimated when it was initially approved 27 months ago. Originally expected to cost about $18 million, the project’s price jumped in the intervening...
Westmoreland DA hopes to expand trauma intervention program in schools
A pilot program launched last year in response to the murder of an 9-year-old New Kensington boy has helped as many as 45 school-age children deal with ongoing trauma, according to the Westmoreland County district attorney. Nicole Ziccarelli wants to expand the program, which provides aid and comfort to children...
Westmoreland Democrats seek to refocus commissioner campaign with Thrasher out of the race
Less than 24 hours after the surprise announcement that Westmoreland Commissioner Gina Cerilli Thrasher would not seek reelection, county Democrats said Wednesday they are ready to move forward with a campaign to reclaim a majority at the courthouse. That plan, party officials conceded, is reliant on another candidate coming forward...
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...
