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The Herald Standard Reports:

Former Fayette County District Attorney Nancy D. Vernon stands next to her son attorney J. W. Eddy as Mrs. Vernon takes the oath of Fayette County Judge of Common Pleas. (Robert Esquival/Herald-Standard)

The Fayette County Courts will have a new president judge, judge and district attorney at the start of the year.

President Judge Gerald R. Solomon, Judge Nancy D. Vernon and District Attorney Jack R. Heneks Jr. were all sworn in on Tuesday.

Attorneys Ewing Newcomer and Peter U. Hook presented Heneks, who formerly served as the first assistant in the office.

Heneks, who first served in the district attorneys office from 1988 to 1990, also worked in the public defender’s office. When Hook was acting district attorney in 1996, he brought Heneks back as an assistant prosecutor handling child abuse cases.

“He served well in that position,” Hook said, noting that Heneks is regarded well by his peers and the members of the county’s bench. “I think he will do a splendid job as the district attorney of Fayette County.”

“I’ve seen both sides of the counsel table,” said Heneks, who has been in the court system for 28 years as a defense attorney or prosecutor. “I think I am well-qualified to represent the interests of the commonwealth.”

Heneks said he has always wanted to be the county’s chief prosecutor. In that position, he will have to make an appointment for the now vacant position in the district attorney’s office.

Heneks said he plans to appoint Vernon’s son, attorney J.W. Eddy, to the position. He will also have to appoint someone in the office to serve as the first assistant prosecutor, his former post.

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The Tribune Review Reports:
In court papers filed Tuesday, a family accused a Fayette County commissioner of holding up a $150,000 payment to settle a federal civil lawsuit.
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The Herald Standard Reports:

A Uniontown woman was cited for harassment Monday after she allegedly got into an argument about Christmas at a local eatery and then hurled a hotdog at an employee.

Uniontown police Officer Jennifer Field said that Ruth Wilson, 57, was cited for harassment after she tossed the condiment-laden frankfurter at Rhonda David at Hot Diggity Dogs restaurant on Beeson Avenue.

According to Field, the fight started after Wilson became angry that she was not being waited on at a table at the business.

Read Josh Krysak’s story in Wednesday’s Herald-Standard for full details.

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The Herald Standard Reports:
A former fire chief in Fayette County already in trouble with the law for multiple incidents is facing a new charge after an alleged altercation in Redstone Township on Christmas Eve.
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