Rich Cholodofsky stories, Page 99
Lawyer: Jury trial only way to settle case involving contested Greensburg traffic stop
The lawyer for a Pittsburgh man awaiting trial in Westmoreland County on drug charges that he says resulted from an illegal traffic stop two years ago in Greensburg said he has no choice but to ask a jury to resolve the case. Christopher Batch, 31, was charged in November 2018...
Jeannette woman paroled after pleading guilty to threatening, assaulting teen
A Jeannette woman was released from jail Tuesday after she pleaded guilty to charges of threatening and assaulting a teen last year in Rostraver. Police said Mary J. Burch, 49, entered a vehicle driven by a teenage boy outside of a convenience store on Nov. 8, 2018, claimed she had...
North Huntingdon man paroled for string of burglaries
A North Huntingdon man on Monday was ordered to serve up to two years in jail for burglaries at two businesses, including a car parts store where he worked. Stephen Michael Wray, 41, was paroled after given credit for time he served since his arrest in July 2019 for break-ins...
Westmoreland Democrats formalize leadership changes in local party
New leadership of the Westmoreland County Democratic Committee will seek to reverse what has been two decades of election losses and erosion of control the party held over local politics for decades. Over the weekend, Tara Yokopenic was named as the committee’s new chairwoman, formalizing the job she has performed...
Court approves $500 to help find witnesses for appeal of 1993 Jeannette murder case
A former Pittsburgh man serving life in prison for a deadly shooting during a Jeannette backyard party nearly three decades ago will be permitted to hire a private investigator to find new witnesses he claims can support a long-standing appeal. The lawyer for Eric Lamont Rudolph, 48, told a Westmoreland...
Jury quickly convicts man in 2019 Ligonier Township arson case
It took a Westmoreland County jury an hour Friday to convict a man of burning his Ligonier Township home last year. Brian W. McVicker, 55, of Laughlintown was found guilty of felony arson as well as risking catastrophe and criminal mischief in connection with a fire at a home he...
Jurors likely to deliberate Friday in Ligonier Township arson trial
Jury deliberations are expected to begin Friday in the arson trial of a Laughlintown man accused of torching his home last year in Ligonier Township. Prosecutors rested their case Thursday against Brian McVicker, 55, accused of setting fire to a century-old two-story home he lived in for free in exchange...
Westmoreland leaders say covid-19 grant awards will take longer than expected
Westmoreland commissioners said Thursday that $10 million in grants for local small businesses and nonprofits hurt by the coronavirus pandemic won’t be awarded until the end of August. The county received 500 grant applications by last week’s deadline. While officials originally suggested that money could begin to flow as early...
State reimburses Westmoreland for some voting machine expenses, talks to start Friday on finding next elections bureau head
Westmoreland County received a $3.4 million reimbursement from the state, which covers about 60% of the costs of new elections equipment purchased over the past year. That money, according to state guidelines, cannot be used to cover costs associated with the November presidential election, officials said. “It will have to...
Trial begins in case of Ligonier Township arson
A Laughlintown man spoke “gibberish” when he confessed to burning a home last year in Ligonier Township, his attorney said Wednesday. In his opening statement in the arson trial of Brian W. McVicker, defense attorney Tim Andrews said prosecutors cannot prove the Jan. 15, 2019, fire that destroyed a home...
Arnold man found guilty of intimidating witness before his son’s cop-killer trial last year
The father of the man sentenced to death for the murder of New Kensington police officer Brian Shaw was convicted Wednesday for the intimidation and retaliation of a potential witness at his son’s trial last year. After nearly six hours of deliberations, a Westmoreland County jury found Gregory Paul Baucum,...
Westmoreland sheriff uses antibody tests to screen deputies for coronavirusVideo
Westmoreland County deputy sheriffs won’t have week-long waits to determine if they’ve been infected with the coronavirus. Sheriff James Albert said Tuesday his office secured up to 50 rapid antibody tests that his staff will use as a diagnostic tool to determine the likelihood of exposure to the virus. “As...
Victim in New Kensington witness intimidation trial says she fears for her life
A New Kensington woman testified Tuesday she fears for her safety after her cooperation with investigators was publicly disclosed during the prosecution of a man sentenced to death for the murder of a police officer. Tasha Williams, 39, told a Westmoreland County jury her life may still be in jeopardy...
Jailed Pirates pitcher Felipe Vazquez again seeks bail, this time over covid-19 fears
The lawyer for Felipe Vazquez on Monday filed an emergency request to secure bond for the suspended Pittsburgh Pirates pitcher who claimed he was exposed to the coronavirus last week in a Westmoreland County courthouse holding cell. According to court documents, Vazquez, 29, contends he is at risk for covid-19...
Westmoreland election director resigns 3 months out from election day
Westmoreland County officials Monday confirmed the resignation of the elections bureau director, a move that comes as preparations continue for the presidential general election just three months away. Commissioner Doug Chew said Beth Lechman last week notified county leaders of her decision to exit the job she has held since...
Westmoreland restarts criminal trials with case against Rahmael Holt’s father
After a four-month hiatus caused by the coronavirus pandemic, jury trials resumed Monday in Westmoreland County. A 12-member jury and two alternates were selected to hear evidence in a witnesses intimidation case against the father of the man convicted and sentenced to death for the murder of New Kensington police...
500 nonprofits, small businesses seek pandemic grants in Westmoreland County
About 500 applications for Westmoreland County’s coronavirus-relief grants started being evaluated Monday, and the first awards from a pool of $10 million could be approved this week. County commissioners last month announced the first phase of its grant program that uses $31.5 million in federal funds to assist small businesses,...
Westmoreland judge, staff being tested for covid-19 after inmate tests positive
A Westmoreland County judge and four members of his courtroom staff will be tested this weekend for the coronavirus after they were potentially exposed this week through a jail inmate. The inmate’s positive diagnosis was disclosed Friday morning. Court officials said the inmate had been in quarantine at the county...
Westmoreland Manor halts family visits after employee tests positive for coronavirus
Westmoreland officials on Friday reported an employee at the county-owned nursing home tested positive for the coronavirus and, as a result, outdoor visitation of residents, which started earlier this week, are temporarily halted. According a statement issued by county Solicitor Melissa Guiddy, county officials learned the employee had not been...
Greensburg family stands their ground for Black Lives Matter
Travis Spence knows a little something about policing, having served as an officer in California. Still, Spence, along with his wife and kids, were the lone voices in protest in the immediate area as Vice President Mike Pence spoke to a crowd packed into a parking lot next to Greensburg...
Westmoreland advances district judge consolidation plan
Westmoreland County’s final redistricting plan will split caseloads from two shuttered district judge’s offices among four of the remaining 15 local courts, according to documents released Wednesday. Court officials made what was described as minor changes to the proposal unveiled this month that closes court offices in Penn Township and...
Westmoreland Manor residents can have in-person visits for first time since March
Visitation with residents of Westmoreland Manor resumed this week in an outdoor setting, under a tent on a patio in front of the county-owned nursing home in Hempfield. County officials Wednesday announced new safety measures and other precautions associated with the resumption of visits to the nearly 400 Manor residents,...
Fayette County closes courthouse in response to growing number of coronavirus cases
Fayette County government and court officials halted general operations at the courthouse and surrounding facilities in Uniontown in response to growing numbers of staffers who have tested positive for coronavirus. Commissioners Wednesday instituted a two-week closure and required most county employees to work from home while limiting court operations. Commissioner...
Latrobe veteran sentenced for attack on wife, stepdaughter
A Latrobe veteran will serve up to 10 years in prison for an alcohol-fueled knife attack three years ago that left his wife and stepdaughter wounded. Scott A. Matuszky, 48, pleaded guilty to charges of aggravated assault and terroristic threats in connection with the Oct. 7, 2017, incident at his...
Westmoreland probation office closed in wake of positive coronavirus test
The adult probation office at the Westmoreland County Courthouse was closed Tuesday after a staff member tested positive for coronavirus. Commissioner Doug Chew confirmed the positive test and said the employee had not been at the courthouse since July 21. “It will take 48 hours to sanitize the office and...
