Judge orders one-year closure of New Kensington Elks Lodge after string of violent incidents

A Westmoreland County Common Pleas Judge granted the district attorney’s injunction to close the Elks Lodge in New Kensington for one year from the July 31, 2026 order, citing dangers to public safety. The DA’s office argued the lodge was a nuisance and failed to comply with its conditional Pennsylvania Liquor Control Board license, creating an environment that fostered criminal activity. The injunction followed the December 2025 homicide of 46-year-old Jeffrey Ballard; his brother, 38-year-old Steffon Ballard, has been charged with criminal homicide, attempted homicide, aggravated assault and possession of a firearm prohibited.