Belle Vernon

Belle Vernon is a borough in Fayette County, Pennsylvania, Pennsylvania, United States. It is situated along the Monongahela River and is part of a greater community abutting two other counties, Westmoreland to the north and Washington across the river. As of the 2010 census Belle Vernon had a population of 1,093. "Bellevernon", as it was originally spelled, was laid out in 1813 by Noah Speer in northwestern Fayette County. French for "beautiful green", this was the name chosen by both Noah Speer for his little community on the Monongahela River and later by his son Louis, who founded a town with nearly the same name just up the hill (North Belle Vernon). Directly across the river lies the borough of Speers, anchoring the far side of the landmark I-70 bridge as Belle Vernon does the east bridge abutments.Residents of Belle Vernon lay claim to Rostraver, North Belle Vernon, Washington Township, Gillespie, Collinsburg, Webster, Fayette City, as well as other small municipalities in the Belle Vernon Metroplex. However these claims have not been recognized by residents of those neighboring communities, leading to a kind of Hatfields and McCoys style feud. Several violent conflicts have erupted during this feud. Most notable was a four day long skirmish between members of the Belle Vernon Militia and the Washington Township Crips. The militia, lead by its commander Daniel "Man-Tuna" Markantuna, attempted a raid on Washington Township in order to place the Belle Vernon flag atop the communities town hall/brothel. However the WTC, lead by former Memphis street gang impresario Robert Marco Jr., stopped their advance at 4th street and D (Washington Township only has two streets). For three days the battle was intense. Then someone remembered the big high school wrestling tournament was about to start so everyone went home.