Ceil Kessler News Today

When Mackenzie Fangman read “Gender Queer: A Memoir” by Maia Kobabe, it was an awkward experience at times. “It made me cringe to read, but it was a cringe of self-
recognition,” said Fangman, 26, of Greensburg, who also is gender-queer. “And if it made me feel that way as an

New rules will govern books and other library materials at Hempfield Area School District, after the school board voted Monday to enact two policies defining what content is permitted on the district’s bookshelves. About 80 people attended the board meeting and more than a dozen residents spoke their opinions on

Hempfield Area School District residents and parents again talked about book challenges and bans as a policy governing the process awaits a final vote in two weeks. There were moments of cheering and applause during Monday’s school board meeting, where several residents talked about the proposed policies and some raised

School libraries would be required to post a list of requested new books a month ahead of time for the public and school board to review under new proposed revisions to book policies at Hempfield Area School District. The policy revisions for acquiring new school library materials and challenging the

Parents in Hempfield Area School District remain divided over whether books that some deem objectionable should be taught in the classroom or available in the library. The school board this week advanced a policy that has been in the works for about a year that could be adopted in June.

Michelle McFall knows just how difficult a job she has. McFall, 53, of Murrysville was elected to lead the Westmoreland County Democratic Committee, an organization that in recent years has seen its influence in local politics erode as voter registration numbers plunge and ballot box losses mount. “We’re now the

After several weeks of delay caused by the litigation over the results of May primary, Westmoreland County Democrats are once again set to elect a new party chairperson. Democrats are scheduled to convene Friday night at Hempfield Park for its reorganization meeting to select a replacement for committee chairwoman Tara

Amid voter registration declines and defeats at the polls, Westmoreland County Democrats will pick new leaders this weekend with an eye toward reinvigorating the political party that, two decades ago, held a dominant position in local politics. Current committee chairwoman Tara Yokopenic was elevated to the job in early 2020

Two Republican incumbents hope to keep their seats on Greensburg City Council as they face off against two Democratic challengers in the Nov. 2 general election. Council members Gregory Mertz and Donnie Zappone Jr. will face newcomers Ceil Kessler and Yukie King, who are both backed by Voice of Westmoreland,

TribLIVEs Daily and Weekly email newsletters deliver the news you want and information you need, right to your inbox. A pair of Republicans and Democrats will face off Tuesday in a bid for a seat on Greensburg city council. Incumbents Gregory Mertz and Donnie Zappone Jr., both Republicans, hoping to keep their seats as newcomers Yukie King and Ceil Kessler, both Democrats who are backed by Voice of Westmoreland, a grassroots nonprofit organization that promotes racial, economic and educational ...