Rich Cholodofsky stories, Page 41
Former Derry man convicted of illegal recording at courthouse
A former Derry man was convicted Wednesday of three felony charges for violations of the state’s wiretapping laws. Justin Juan De La Martinez, 43, now of Illinois, was found guilty of illegally recording and distributing video of a employee in the Westmoreland County Court Administration Office. Prosecutors contended Martinez did...
Teen jogger details her struggle to avoid abduction in Ligonier Township
Madeline Smith knew she had little choice but to fight her attacker as he attempted to force her at gunpoint into his car on a cold Sunday morning in January. “I figured I might as well fight. I was terrified. I knew he was going to get me into his...
Trial begins for Bolivar man accused of trying to kidnap, kill jogger
Surveillance video and tire tracks helped investigators find the man accused of attempting to kidnap and kill an 18-year college student who was out for her morning run, a Westmoreland County detective testified Monday. Detective John Swartz told jurors that evidence led police to the Bolivar home of Frank Springer,...
Westmoreland County to hold job fair to fill up to 250 vacancies
Westmoreland County has put out the help wanted sign. The county will conduct a job fair Wednesday, Aug. 16 at Twin Lakes Park designed to help fill as many as 250 vacant government jobs. “We desperately want to fill these vacancies,” said Commissioner Sean Kertes. “When you don’t have proper...
Thrasher to begin new job in August, endorses chief of staff as replacement
Westmoreland County Commissioner Gina Cerilli Thrasher will leave office July 31. Thrasher, 37, of Latrobe tendered her resignation Thursday, two days after her appointment to serve as a commissioner on the Pennsylvania’s Workers’ Compensation Appeals Board was confirmed by the state Senate. “I will begin my quasi-judicial position … in...
Thrasher to resign as Westmoreland commissioner
Gina Cerilli Thrasher will resign from her elected position as the lone Democrat on Westmoreland County’s board of commissioners, her chief of staff Don O’Brien said Wednesday. Thrasher, 37, was confirmed Tuesday by the Pennsylvania Senate to fill a vacancy on the state’s Workers’ Compensation Appeals Board. She will serve...
Westmoreland Commissioner Thrasher appointed to state appeals board
Westmoreland Commissioner Gina Cerilli Thrasher was confirmed on Tuesday to fill a vacancy on the Pennsylvania Workers’ Compensation Appeals Board. Thrasher, 37, a Democrat from Hempfield is serving out her second four-year term and announced in February she would not seek reelection, instead focusing on a career as a lawyer....
Westmoreland officials pledge to reopen juvenile detention center
Westmoreland officials on Monday pledged to reopen the county’s juvenile detention center upon the conclusion of state investigations launched this month when two youths were injured at the Hempfield facility. “As soon as the investigations are done, we hope to be up and running. As soon as we can get...
Westmoreland closes juvenile detention center amid state investigation, staffing shortages
Westmoreland County’s juvenile detention center is temporarily closed amid ongoing state child welfare investigations and staffing issues that resulted in an inability to properly staff and secure the 16-bed facility in Hempfield. Director Rich Gordon confirmed that state investigators are conducting a review of operations in the wake of two...
Suspect identified with help of DNA pleads guilty in Lower Burrell robbery
An Allegheny County man was ordered to serve up to five years in prison for the armed robbery of a beer distributor in Lower Burrell. Blair Adam Payne, 29, of Mt. Oliver pleaded guilty to robbery, theft and receiving stolen property in connection with a heist police said was solved...
$8.8M in covid funds earmarked for water, sewer projects in Westmoreland
As many as 50 farms and other properties in East Huntingdon could have municipal water service this fall when water lines are extended to tap into the municipal system. It’s a project that might never have happened without funding from Westmoreland County, according to East Huntingdon Supervisor Joel Suter. “It’s...
Judge sets bond for Seward man charged with sex offenses
A Westmoreland County judge on Thursday set bond for a Seward man charged with attempting to pay a juvenile for sex. Anthony Ronald Laughard, 41, was arrested and charged June 2 with the attempted rape of a child, attempted involuntary deviate sexual intercourse and other related offenses in connection with...
MAWC officials say local water supply in good shape despite dry conditions
Municipal Authority of Westmoreland County officials said Wednesday that, based on local conditions, there is no reason to implement a mandatory water conservation order. The Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection last week issued a drought watch and suggested residents enact voluntary efforts to reduce water usage by 5% to 10%....
Ligonier Township man’s lawsuit claims injuries caused by public works employee
A Ligonier Township resident is suing the township and a public works employee, claiming he was attacked in front of his home last year. Mark Leonard claims that at 11:20 a.m. on April 20, 2022, he heard rocks and debris strike the outside of his Kissell Springs Road home and...
‘You are destroying your life,’ judge tells Jeannette man at sentencing hearing
The lawyer for Jeannette man convicted for his part in what prosecutors described as a major drug distribution ring told a Westmoreland County judge his client’s turbulent upbringing and future potential warranted a mitigated prison sentence. Common Pleas Judge Tim Krieger disagreed when he sentenced Damone A. Morton to five...
$13M housing project aimed at addressing jump in retiree population in Westmoreland
A $13 million, 50-unit senior housing complex is planned in Rostraver. It will be the fourth project by the Westmoreland County Housing Authority in the past decade and is part of an effort to provide more senior housing for low-income residents. The authority on Tuesday approved the purchase of a...
Public safety officials warn of dangers at Creek Falls
Greensburg Dive Team Capt. George McFarland knows the dangers that loom at Creek Falls. “When there’s a call that comes over the radio about Creek Falls, a chill goes up my spine because of where it is,” McFarland said of the secluded spot along Jacobs Creek in South Huntingdon, a...
Rebuilt Westmoreland County Courthouse garage, plaza nears completion
Work will soon be completed on a $7 million project to rebuild a two-level parking garage under Westmoreland County Courthouse, officials said Friday. Public Works Director Greg McCloskey said parking for about 175 courthouse employees is expected to begin on June 30. Meanwhile, additional delays will postpone the opening of...
Judge rejects New Kensington man’s appeal of murder conviction
A Westmoreland County judge on Friday rejected the appeal filed by a New Kensington man, who said his claims of self-defense were not properly considered by jurors, and found him guilty of first-degree murder of an unarmed man in an Arnold home in 2020. Mario Gatti, 33, of New Kensington...
Former Delmont woman jailed again for threats against judge
A Westmoreland County prosecutor said Thursday a former Delmont woman convicted last summer of threatening a judge should serve time in prison. Prosecutors alleged similar behavior against the same public official at the county courthouse earlier this year. Common Pleas Judge Christopher Feliciani ordered Jennifer L. Gesuale, 43, to remain...
Westmoreland human services director has personal stake in crisis intervention program
Rob Hamilton was a troubled young man. He struggled with homelessness and drug abuse during his formative years and, upon returning home from military service, couldn’t stay out of trouble. It wasn’t until he reunited with then-Blairsville police Officer Robert “B.J.” Shaw that Hamilton’s life changed. Shaw, rather than shuffling...
New Kensington man guilty of child sex assault
A New Kensington man has been convicted of the sexual assault of a 9-year-old girl. A Westmoreland County jury deliberated more than five hours on Thursday before returning guilty verdicts against Chester Elmer Green Jr., who prosecutors contended had improper sexual contact with a young girl in 2013 and 2014....
Westmoreland human services department to work from offices at WCCC Youngwood campus
Westmoreland County will pay more than $68,000 to rent space for an expanded human services department that will be located about six miles from the courthouse in Greensburg. Commissioners on Thursday approved an 11-month lease for seven suites in the Business Information Center at Westmoreland County Community College near Youngwood....
Westmoreland commissioners return to county’s roots at Hanna’s Town
Westmoreland commissioners returned the county’s roots on Thursday. Historic Hanna’s Town, the site of the county’s original courthouse at its founding in 1773, served as host to the commissioners’ public meeting where they commemorated the county’s 250th birthday. “I thought it was a great idea to do this out here....
Westmoreland park police hired to work at Steelers training camp
Westmoreland County Park Police again will help with security at Pittsburgh Steelers training camp this summer at Saint Vincent College near Latrobe. Commissioners on Thursday approved a new deal for park police officers to patrol the three-week event, set to begin July 27, mirroring the pact approved last year. The...
