Week in Review: open businesses, hazing scandal and council resignation

Some businesses in Southwestern Pennsylvania reopened as the state eases coronavirus restrictions, but the remaining mandates have prompted resistance — and threats. Meanwhile a hazing scandal rocked Greater Latrobe Junior High School and a Southwest Greensburg councilman resigned for allegedly using a racial slur.

Here’s a look back at the week’s top stories.

Funding fight

Gov. Tom Wolf on Monday had strong words for politicians and business owners who defy the state’s coronavirus restrictions, threatening funding and business licenses as some counties move to the yellow phase of reopening while others remain in the most restrictive phase. Wolf said funding to help counties in the fight against the coronavirus pandemic — which he likened to a war that some are deserting — will be used to support those that are following the orders meant to stop the spread of covid-19. Funding from the federal CARES Act that is designated for certain places and health care facilities will still go there, he said, but discretionary funds will go to areas that follow the state’s restrictions.

Hazing charges

Two Greater Latrobe Junior High School wrestling coaches were charged Tuesday with child endangerment and failure to report January hazing incidents captured on surveillance video, according to court papers. Cary James Lydic, 29, of Greensburg, was the head coach, and David Francis Galando, 44, of Youngstown, was his assistant, police said.

Four 15-year-old boys were charged with hazing and possessing an instrument of a crime. The investigation started in January and troopers detailed in court papers several instances during which, they say, wrestlers were seen on surveillance video restraining their teammates and sodomizing them with what appeared to be a wooden broom handle. Wrestlers told police that the hazing was a painful and embarrassing tradition, according to court papers.

Man charged with threatening governor

A Pleasant Unity man is charged with threatening Gov. Tom Wolf, officials in York County announced said. Rocco Anthony Naples, 28, faces a third-degree felony charge of threats and other improper influence in official and political matters and related misdemeanor counts of terroristic threats and harassment.

Naples called Wolf’s former business, Wolf Home Products, on May 8 and told a customer service employee he was upset that a friend’s business was shut down, state police said. He told the customer service representative that he “was angry about Governor Wolf closing their companies but keeping his open, he said that him and a couple of his buddies have a bullet waiting for Wolf if he keeps them closed,” according to a criminal complaint.

Businesses reopen

Most of Southwestern Pennsylvania, including Allegheny and Westmoreland counties, moved from the red phase to the yellow phase of the state’s tiered reopening plan Friday. Some restrictions put in place to mitigate the spread of the coronavirus will be eased or lifted. Masks must be worn when entering a business or shopping, visiting a health care provider, taking public transportation or going through a drive-thru.

Employees at businesses who interact with the public must also wear masks. Some businesses and services will be allowed to resume or expand operations, with physical distancing measures in place. Schools, gyms and indoor recreation centers, hair and nail salons, casinos and theaters will remain closed. Bars and restaurants are still limited to carry-out and delivery only. It’s not yet clear how the state will decide when a region can move into the green phase.

Councilman resigns

Southwest Greensburg councilman David Thomas resigned this week after two years on council. Several members of the community showed their frustration during a council meeting this week following an incident last month in which Thomas allegedly directed a racial slur at another man during an investigation about a dog fight.

Resident Levi Kinney, 24, was the owner of a pit bull that attacked Thomas’ dog on April 6 along Oakland Street, leaving Thomas’ dog with a few “light puncture marks,” police said. Officers said they heard Thomas direct racial slurs toward Kinney several times during the investigation.