Rich Cholodofsky stories, Page 47
Greensburg’s headless ‘muffler man’ ready for his makeover
Editor’s note ‘What’s That?’ is a recurring feature in the Tribune-Review’s Westmoreland Plus edition. If there’s something you’d like to see explored here, send an email to gtrcity@triblive.com. The hulking, 20-foot headless male figure who for the last half century has kept watch outside of a Greensburg auto repair shop...
Sewickley Township man receives prison sentence for sexual assault of teen
A Sewickley Township man was ordered to serve a 10- to 20-year prison sentence Friday for the sexual assault of a teenager in 2021. Steven Stemmler, 40, was convicted by a Westmoreland County jury last summer of statutory sexual assault, involuntary deviate sexual intercourse, aggravated assault, indecent assault and corruption...
Teens charged in Greensburg knife attack to be prosecuted as juveniles
Two teens charged as adults in connection with a knife attack and robbery in 2021 at Lynch Field in Greensburg will be prosecuted in juvenile court. Westmoreland County Common Pleas Court Judge Christopher Feliciani, following a brief hearing on Thursday, ruled a private evaluation determined Jackson Jeffrey Martin, 18, of...
Elliott Co. grant paves way for purchase of Westmoreland Park Police dog
The Westmoreland County Park Police Department will enlist its newest police dog this summer. Officials this week announced that the county received a $12,000 grant from Elliott Co. in Jeannette to purchase a second police dog that will be trained to detect narcotics and other drugs, according to park police...
Former chief deputy sheriff launches 2nd bid for Westmoreland commissioner
A former chief deputy sheriff announced she will run a second time for Westmoreland County commissioner in this spring’s primary election. Patricia Fritz, 68, a Republican from Mt. Pleasant, finished sixth in a seven-candidate GOP field in the 2019 primary. “I know I can make a difference,” Fritz said. “I...
Belle Vernon Area community gathers to remember 6-year-old Aria Woznick
Aria Woznick would have loved the spotlight that her family, friends, teachers and classmates shined upon the 6-year-old North Belle Vernon girl Wednesday. A community in mourning gathered en masse to remember the child described as a precocious kindergartener who loved life and embraced everyone she met. “I really think...
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,...
