Jason Cato | Tribune-Review
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Westmoreland County has the “help wanted” sign out to fill jobs in several departments but, as has been the case in the private sector, there isn’t enough community interest to fill vacant positions.
It has been so much of a challenge to fill the roster of guards at the county prison that, on Monday, officials converted part-time jobs to full-time status, hoping the move will lure candidates to fill open positions at the lockup in Hempfield.
Applicants for vacant guard jobs have lagged over the past several months. Warden Bryan Kline said the hiring period for guard candidates saw just three applicants show up for a required agility test. Just one person passed the test but declined a job offer, Kline said.
Westmoreland County’s Acting Clerk of Courts Megan Loughner held a lead in Tuesday’s Republican primary to run for a full four-year term to run the office to oversee the county’s criminal court records. With 201 of the 307 precincts reporting, Loughner, 36, of Unity, had 66% of the votes cast.
Westmoreland County will provide $25 in commissary credit to prison inmates who receive a covid-19 vaccine.
Members of the county prison board approved the plan Monday.
“We’re still working out the final details, but this will be for all inmates,” county Commissioner Gina Cerilli Thrasher said.
Vaccine doses will be provided by Hayden’s Pharmacy and offered to existing inmates and new prisoners when they are brought to the facility.
Warden Bryan Kline said it’s unclear when the vaccination program will begin but the incentives are expected to entice a significant number inmates to receive the shots when they become available. Inmates will receive the full $25 credit for vaccinations, unlike other financial deposits, which are docked by 50% to pay for room and board expenses and court costs.
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Four of five district judge seats up for grabs in 2021 will have contested primaries in May.
Meanwhile, just one countywide race the Republican primary for the clerk of courts office will be contested this spring.
Barring candidate challenges, the May 18 primary ballots appear set. The deadline to file nominating petitions expired Tuesday. Elections Bureau Director JoAnn Sebastiani released the names of candidates for county offices after the deadline. A full list of candidates, including those seeking municipal offices and school district seats, could be released today, she said.
There will be contested primaries in four district judge races where no incumbents are seeking reelection.