Latest News
November 6, 2019

Walsh, Stewart win seats on Westmoreland bench

By Mon Valley Independent

By CHRISTINE HAINES

chaines@yourmvi.com

Three candidates were running for the two open seats for Common Pleas Judge in Westmoreland County, with the newly-elected candidates most likely being assigned to family court once seated.

Seeking the seats on the bench in Tuesday’s election were Mike Stewart of Hempfield Township, Jessica Rafferty of Unity Township and Justin Walsh of Rostraver Township. 

As early results were coming in, Stewart took an early and commanding lead, with the remaining two candidates battling with just a few percentage points between them as the count went on. Unofficial results from the Westmoreland County Election Bureau showed Stewart in the first position with 55,225 votes, followed by Walsh with 43,742 and Rafferty in third place with 39,598 votes, making Stewart and Walsh the apparent winners, according to unofficial Westmoreland County Election Bureau results. 

To read the rest of this story, please see a copy of Wednesday’s Mon Valley Independent, call 724-314-0035 to subscribe or subscribe to our online edition at https://e.monvalleyindependent.com.

Main
By By STACY WOLFORD swolford@yourmvi.com 
October 9, 2026
The Municipal Authority of Westmoreland County, John Lorenzo and Utility Workers Union Local 164 are named as defendants. A Municipal Authority of Westmoreland County employee filed a federal lawsuit ...
Main
By SARAH PELLIS spellis@yourmvi.com 
October 9, 2026
A $3.06 million state loan supports the construction of a 25,000-square-foot facility. Pennsylvania is investing over $3.9 million to support the gas pressure vessel manufacturer’s growth in McKeespor...
Valley firefighters stress safety during Fire Prevention Week
Main
By SARAH PELLIS spellis@yourmvi.com 
October 9, 2026
Firefighters have been visiting classrooms and engaging with the community to promote safety. To mark Fire Prevention Week, firefighters around the Mon Valley have been busy visiting classrooms to tea...
News
October 9, 2026
authority instead demanded unnecessary medical information, failed to engage in a good-faith interactive process, offered an ineffective alternative and denied reasonable available accommodations. Lou...
key boxes available to all Rostraver Township residents
News
October 9, 2026
key boxes available to all Rostraver Township residents. “Implementing community risk-reduction strategies is one of the fire department’s most important functions, helping prevent emergencies, protec...