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Police discover marijuana ‘nursery’ in baby’s bedroom closet

A nursery in a Galbreath Street home apparently did double duty.

According to New Castle police, not only was it an infant’s bedroom, but it also served as a facility for nurturing marijuana plants.

In fact, police referred to the closet in the baby’s room as a “sophisticated indoor marijuana grow operation.”

The New Castle Police Department’s Narcotics Bureau executed a search warrant yesterday at 427 Galbreath St., where officers uncovered various drugs, paraphernalia, weapons and electronic devices.

The drug sweep was in cooperation with the Lawrence County District Attorney’s Drug Task Force, the state Attorney General, Drug Enforcement Administration and the Pennsylvania State Police.

At the residence, officers located Clent Carrington, David Quear, two male juveniles and one female infant. The juveniles were released to their parents. The baby, who was found sleeping in her crib, was turned over to a grandparent.

According to the magisterial judge court docket this morning, charges have not been file yet.

The police seized four live marijuana plants, approximately 3 feet tall, from the baby’s closet; six plastic bags of marijuana packaged for sale; about 30 grams of suspected crack cocaine; a loaded Ruger 9mm handgun with serial numbers removed; seven digital weighing scales with suspected cocaine residue; three portable police radio scanners; a video surveillance camera and monitor; miscellaneous narcotics paraphernalia and $239.

Police said the investigation continues.

http://www.ncnewsonline.com/archivesearch/local_story_364094638.html

Shenango man indicted on porn charge

A federal grand jury on Tuesday indicted a Shenango Township resident on a charge of possessing child pornography.

Todd D. Covert, 46, of 710 Harmony Baptist Road was named in the one-count indictment. According to the Pennsylvania State Police, which took part in the investigation, Covert reportedly possessed child pornography on July 8, 2009.

The U.S. Attorney’s Office in Pittsburgh announced the charge yesterday.

An undercover investigation by the state police’s Computer Crime Unit led to the charge.

An arraignment date for Covert was not provided.

http://www.ncnewsonline.com/archivesearch/local_story_353093213.html

Incoming DA Can't Try Boy, 12, In Pregnant Slaying

NEW CASTLE, Pa. -- A newly elected district attorney can't try a 12-year-old New Castle boy accused of killing his father's pregnant fiancee.

Attorney Joshua Lamancusa is recusing himself because he gave the boy's father legal advice shortly after the boy was accused of shooting Kenzie Marie Houk, 26, on Feb. 20, killing her and her unborn son as she lay in bed.

Lamancusa was elected Lawrence County district attorney in November and takes office on Jan. 4.

Channel 11 News learned that Lamancusa knew the conflict of interest existed even before he won the election, which is why he sent a letter to the Pennsylvania Bar Association's ethics department highlighting the issue.

The state attorney general will now prosecute Jordan Brown, of New Galilee. A Jan. 29 hearing will determine whether the boy will be tried as a juvenile or an adult.

If he's tried as an adult, Brown faces up to life in prison without parole. If the case is moved to juvenile court, any punishment would end when he turns 21.

Man Jumps Counter At New Castle Bank

NEW CASTLE, Pa. -- Police responded to a bank robbery at a New Castle Bank on Monday.

Officials were called to the scene after a man jumped over the counter at the First Commonwealth Bank on North Liberty Street.

The man had fled the bank by the time police arrived at scene.

Police said the robber has not been seen since.

No one was hurt during the incident.

http://www.wpxi.com/news/21765687/detail.html

Armed Man Steals Cash From New Castle Dunkin’ Donuts

NEW CASTLE, Pa. -- A crime caught on two different cameras inside New Castle’s Dunkin’ Donuts may be linked to a home invasion not far from the donut shop.

New Castle police said the video shows a man dressed in all black holding a gun.

New Castle Police Chief Tom Sansone said the man surprised a female clerk near the store’s Dumpster and demanded money.

According to police the man, described as being just over 6 feet tall, kept the gun on the female worker until he received the money and ran off.

On the video, police said you can only make out the man’s eyes and his tennis shoes as he walks through the Dunkin’ Donuts.

“We’re taking this seriously,” said Sansone because a handgun was involved.

Police believe the Dunkin’ Donuts bandit may have been involved in a home invasion a few blocks away.

A few hours after the robbery, a man busted through the doors of Ray Conner’s New Castle home and bashed in his head with a brick.

The invader was looking for money, but got none.

Because of the similar circumstances, police believe there is a connection and Sansone said they won’t rule it out yet.

http://www.wpxi.com/news/21714147/detail.html

Suspected In-Jail Heroin Ring Busted Up In Lawrence Co.

NEW CASTLE, Pa. -- Police didn't have to go far to bust a suspect drug smuggling operation in Lawrence County. They said the alleged ring was happening in jail.

Spring Brunswick, Amanda Miller and Carrie Reed were already behind bars when police discovered what was going on.

Police said the group, with the help of a boyfriend on the outside, smuggled heroin into the Lawrence County Jail in New Castle.

Police said Ronald Lyons junior is accused of supplying the drugs. He is the boyfriend of one of the inmates.

The suspects are all charged with conspiracy and intent to deliver.

http://www.wpxi.com/news/21673479/detail.html

Police Arrest Inmates On Smuggling Charges

NEW CASTLE, Pa. -- Police busted a drug-smuggling operation in a local jail.

Three women, who were already incarcerated were charged with conspiracy and delivery of a controlled substance.

The boyfriend of one of the inmates is accused of supplying the drugs.

Police said the group was able to sneak heroin inside the Lawrence County Jail in New Castle.

The operation was discovered and halted on Nov. 5.

http://www.wpxi.com/news/21667286/detail.html

Burglar Steals Computers, Stereo From Union Twp. Church

UNION TOWNSHIP, Pa. -- Police in Lawrence County are searching for a serial church burglar who they said struck again this weekend.

Police said someone broke into the Washington Union Alliance Church in Union Township sometime between Friday evening and Saturday morning.

Twelve other churches in and around the New Castle Area have been hit since Sept. 8.

In this latest crime, computers and stereo equipment were stolen.

Electronics have been taken in most of the burglaries.

It is the first break-in since Oct. 17.

Church trustees said they tried to protect their house of worship, but it wasn't enough.

“We had all of the locks changed just in the past week. And then we were going to have bids for putting a security system in and so forth, but we didn't get that far,” said Chairman of the Board of Elders, Jack Allison.

Police said churches in neighboring Mercer County have also been targeted.

Officers are asking anyone who sees suspicious activity near a church to call 911.

http://www.wpxi.com/news/21632463/detail.html

New Castle Man Accused Of Assaulting 13-Year-Old Girl

SCOTT TOWNSHIP, Pa. -- A New Castle resident was accused of assaulting a 13-year-old girl on Wednesday.

Police said Joshua Sunday, 26, made multiple inappropriate comments and actions against the victim between Oct. 23 and Oct. 29.

The incidents happened in Scott Township.

Sunday is charged with indecent assault and unlawful contact with a minor.

He is currently being held in the Lawrence County Jail.

http://www.wpxi.com/news/21587217/detail.html

Man Shot On New Castle Sidewalk Dies

NEW CASTLE, Pa. -- Police in New Castle said a 20-year-old man found shot in abdomen on a New Castle sidewalk has died from his injuries.

According to police reports, officers were called to the Harbor Heights housing units in the 700 block of Altman Road.

When they arrived, they found Antonio McKnight, of New Castle, shot and lying on the ground.

McKnight was transported to Jameson Hospital and then to St. Elizabeth Hospital in Youngstown, Ohio, where he died.

Police said the investigation is ongoing and anyone with information should call the New Castle Police Department at 724-656-3587.

Man, 20, Shot To Death In New Castle Housing Complex

NEW CASTLE, Pa. -- A 20-year-old man was found dead in a housing complex in New Castle Wednesday night.

Police said they found Antonio McKnight laying on a sidewalk with a gunshot wound to the abdomen. He was taken to St. Elizabeth Hospital in Youngstown where he later died.

An autopsy is scheduled for Thursday.

So far, no arrests have been made. Anyone with information is asked to contact police.

http://www.wpxi.com/news/21463805/detail.html

8 Arrested For New Castle Arsons, Did It 'For Kicks'

Posted: 9:18 am EDT October 27, 2009Updated: 8:44 am EDT October 28, 2009

NEW CASTLE, Pa. -- Monday night, New Castle police arrested eight people in connection with a string of arsons that have plagued the city for more than 18 months.

Channel 11's Amy Marcinkiewicz has learned New Castle police took into custody seven men and one woman.

SLIDESHOW: PLEASE FOLLOW LINK AT BOTTOM OF PAGE

Two of the eight people arrested are juveniles.

Ruben Suarez, Steven Sheridan, Stephen Threats, Mark Quear, Rachelle Lombardo and Darrell Rice Jr. are all friends, investigators said.

All of the suspects are charged with arson.

Police said the motive, at first, was to set the fires to cover up thefts of copper from vacant homes, but as the years wore on, those close to the case told Channel 11 the group started the fires just for kicks.

Officials said three of those arrested confessed, and the city has cleared 12 of the 34 arsons in New Castle since 2007.

The break came within the last month, investigators said. Some 50 interviews turned up three confessions.

The city, about 40 miles northwest of Pittsburgh, has been plagued by more than 50 fires in abandoned buildings since the beginning of last year.

No serious injuries have been reported in any of the fires. But the city has been forced to pay overtime to firefighters and to spend money to demolish some of the damaged buildings.

Local residents told Channel 11 they're relieved that suspects have been arrested, but say they can't give up on bringing other arsonists to justice.

"It's a big step forward. I think there's a lot we can be excited about and I'm very enthusiastic. I think it can be an energy boost in this neighborhood and a way we can get some more things done in the future," said Laurie Emery.

LIST OF SOLVED ARSONS:

11/18/2007 216 Bellview Ave.

11/29/2007 812 Croton Ave.

5/11/2008 111 N. Crawford Ave.

8/25/2008 611 Spruce St.

9/4/2008 201 N. Walnut St.

9/6/2008 741 Oak St.

11/8/2008 723 Chestnut St.

11/8/2008 727 Court St.

11/8/2008 207 S. Mulberry St.

11/8/2008 231 N. Ray St.

1/9/2009 120 N. Crawford St.

7/12/2009 406 S. Walnut St.

http://www.wpxi.com/news/21436600/detail.html

Judge Sets Hearing Date For Boy Accused Of Killing His Father's Pregnant Fiancee

NEW CASTLE, Pa. -- A judge has scheduled a hearing Dec. 10 to determine whether a 12-year-old western Pennsylvania boy will be tried as an adult or as a juvenile on charges he killed his father's pregnant fiancee.

For now, Jordan Brown, of New Galilee, is charged as an adult in Lawrence County Common Pleas Court with February's fatal shooting of 26-year-old Kenzie Marie Houk and her unborn son as Houk lay in bed.

If convicted as an adult, Brown faces life in prison without parole. If the case is moved to juvenile court, any punishment would end when he turns 21.

District Attorney John Bongivengo opposes a defense motion to move the case to juvenile court.

Brown is incarcerated at the Edmund L. Thomas Adolescent Detention Center in Erie.

http://www.wpxi.com/news/21218728/detail.html

Attorneys: Try New Castle Boy, 12, As Juvenile In Killing

NEW CASTLE, Pa. -- Attorneys for a 12-year-old Lawrence County boy accused of killing his father's pregnant fiance want him tried as a juvenile, not an adult.

ordan Brown's attorneys said they'll filed a request to move the case to Lawrence County Juvenile Court sometime next week.

The attorneys announced those plans Thursday, after a judge allowed evidence from a search warrant to be presented at Brown's criminal trial, where he is charged as an adult.

Brown is accused in the February killings of Kenzie Marie Houk, 26, and her unborn son with a 20-gauge shotgun at her home in Wampum.

If convicted as an adult, Brown faces life in prison without parole. If the case is moved to juvenile court, any punishment would end when he turns 21.

http://www.wpxi.com/news/21182115/detail.html

Judge: Statements From Murder Suspect, 12, Will Stand

NEW CASTLE, Pa. -- A judge has denied a motion to suppress key evidence in a case against a 12-year-old boy accused of killing his father's pregnant fiance while she lay in bed in their Lawrence County farmhouse.

Common Pleas Judge Dominick Motto will allow evidence obtained in a search warrant to be presented in the trial of Jordan Brown, who was 11 at the time of the slaying.

Brown is accused in the February killings of Kenzie Marie Houk, 26, and her unborn son with a 20-gauge shotgun at her home in Wampum.

Motto also denied a request to suppress statements Brown made to police after Houk's body was found. However, the judge agreed to suppress evidence police obtained when searching the boy's school records.

Brown is charged with homicide as an adult. If convicted, he faces life in prison without parole.

Brown's defense attorney argued for dismissal of the case because of lack of evidence. The attorney asked for dismissal on the grounds that Brown was not yet a suspect when he was interviewed at his school by state police.

Houk was eight months pregnant with Brown's father's child, and also had two daughters, 7 and 4, who lived with the Browns in the rural home where, authorities said, Houk was slain as she lay in bed.

Police said the fifth-grader shot Houk and then got onto a school bus with Houk's oldest daughter. He was picked up from school several hours later after some tree trimmers called 911 when Houk's youngest daughter told them she thought her mother was dead.

Holiday shutdown likely

For Thanksgiving, most of Lawrence County's courthouse employees may be getting the week off, without pay.

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And the same thing for Christmas.

On Friday, county commissioners are likely to approve closing the courthouse for the two holiday weeks leading up to the end of this year in an effort to cut expenses.
Commissioner Dan Vogler said the austerity measure is necessary because of the state's failure - now almost three months into the fiscal year - to assemble a budget. The county's 2009 calendar year budget called for spending about $95 million, with more than $70 million coming from state-funded programs.

"It's not the fault of our employees or anything the elected officials have done," Vogler said. "It's because the state hasn't done its job."

Up until this week, the commissioners had planned to order nonunion employees to take two weeks of unpaid flex-time leave and asked that the two unions that represent county workers vote on the two-weeks-leave plan.

Last week, the county's American Federation of State County and Municipal Employees union voted 25-22 to ratify the unpaid leave. But Construction and General Laborers Union Local 964, which represents about 50 workers, declined to vote on the measure.

"They essentially said they'll put the decision back in the hands of the commissioners," Vogler said.

Ultimately, though, another factor came into play. Vogler said the commissioners had hoped to close the courthouse for either one day each week or for two one-week blocks, because either option would save utility costs by using fewer lights and less heat during the closings.

But until earlier this week, Domenick Motto, the county's president judge, had said either move would be unduly disruptive to the court system.

Vogler said Motto changed his mind after discussing the possible closings with courthouse staff and said the court system could continue to function with the two-week closings.

The courthouse was originally scheduled to have been closed on three of those days - Nov. 26 and 27 (Thanksgiving and the following day) and Dec. 25 for Christmas - which would make the shutdowns less disruptive to county business, Vogler said.

Reports over the weekend that Gov. Ed Rendell and the state Legislature have reached a budget agreement notwithstanding, the shutdowns would probably remain in effect even if the state ratifies a budget quickly.

Vogler, who has been in Harrisburg this week on county business unrelated to the fiscal crisis, said the Legislature is probably in recess for the rest of this week, which means no budget vote could be held until at least Monday.

Even when a spending plan is passed, the county won't begin seeing the funding for three-quarters of its own budget for some time, Vogler said. And when that money does start coming in, those funds will probably be less than the county has budgeted for, he said.

http://ellwoodcityledger.com/site/news.cfm?newsid=20372576&BRD=2724&PAG=461&dept_id=563781&rfi=6

Anti-government signs are torched

When a local man publicly expressed his opinion about the direction the country is going, things got hot.

Several homemade anti-government signs displayed on the Slippery Rock Township property of Jeff Wright were destroyed by fire around 10 p.m. Monday.

Nobody witnessed the torching, but Wright and his wife, Peggy, spotted the flames from their house, which is located above the family business — Jeff Wright Electric — in the former Deinert’s Country Store building on Route 422.

Wright said the perpetrator might have been burned during the incident as he dropped a lighter, a gas can and ran out of his flip-flops while getting back to his car. Wright said the gas can was on fire, too.

“He’s probably got some singed eyebrows.”

Wright said slogans were painted on 4-by-4-foot sheets of plywood, held up concrete blocks.

The Slippery Rock Township fire department and state police were called to the scene. Lt. Doug Humble said state police were investigating the incident.

“I just want people to know what’s going on,” said Wright, 48, who moved to Lawrence County in 1970 from the Washington, D.C.

He has been putting up protest signs on his property for the past two months. Wright said thousands of cars drive past his business on Route 422 every day. He said many have stopped to pose for pictures with the signs while others honk their horns in support.

Wright believes the current administration is lying to the American people.

“The main criteria that you support for any president is to uphold and defend the Constitution,” Wright said. “But it is being shredded and thrown away like a document that has no value. I was like most everybody else in not knowing what’s going on so I decided to look into it.”

Using the Internet, Wright said he began to research people in the administration and those in Congress.

“Most people don’t have a clue about all the stuff that is going on,” he said. “Unless you have an issue that exposes the corruption, you just accept what they tell you.

“I’m not against anyone personally, but I am against their ideology. This government subverts the Constitution and implements backdoor policies.

“Do I just stand silent and let it take its course?”

One of the destroyed signs read, “Obama is a liar. Pelosi and Reed are thieves.” Others said, “Your country is being stolen” and “Prosecute and exile this administration.” Another said “traitors” in large letters with names of politicians written on it.

Wright said the country is equally divided.

“I’m not trying to convince anyone that they are wrong, but we had better have something to agree on and that should be the founding documents of this country.

“We need to put all the ideology and personal preferences aside and at least agree on the Constitution.”

Wright said he doesn’t get upset when he sees signs that supports the current policies, he just disagrees.

He plans to replace the signs, but using tin instead of wood.

“I’m exercising my First Amendment rights,” Wright said. “But apparently it made somebody mad.”

http://www.ncnewsmedia.com/archive/2009/09September/Obama_Guy/story1.htm

Fire destroys vacant two-story house in city

A fire of unknown origin destroyed a two-story, vacant house on New Castle’s West Side Wednesday night.

A neighbor alerted the Lawrence County 911 center at 9:59 p.m. that flames were shooting out of 226 Wick Ave. As city firefighters arrived, fire had engulfed the structure.

James Goodman Jr., of 814 W. Grant St., is listed as the property’s owner. City fire Chief Tom Maciarello said the home had been unoccupied for approximately one to two years.

Five units, including the department’s tower ladder firetruck, responded. Medevac Ambulance was also at the scene. Firefighters cleared the location at 12:49 a.m. Thursday.

The city police department’s arson investigator was called to the scene. If determined to be an arson, that would mark the 18th intentionally set fire in the city for 2009.

http://www.ncnewsmedia.com/archive/2009/Rapid_Response/SEPTEMBER/24/wick_fire/index.htm

Police accuse man in slashing

ELLWOOD CITY - Ellwood City police used an ankle monitor Thursday night to help their police dog track a man accused of slashing his girlfriend with a kitchen knife.

John Paul Huddy, 35, of 216 Third St., Ellwood City, was charged Friday morning with aggravated assault, simple assault, making terroristic threats and unlawful restraint.

In documents filed with the office of District Judge Jerry Cartwright Jr., Ellwood City police Officer Michael McBride said Huddy had gotten into an argument around 10 p.m. Thursday with his girlfriend, Michelle Delposen, at his home.

During the argument, Delposen told police, Huddy picked up a kitchen knife and punched her. McBride said Delposen had a minor injury on her throat from the knife and an injured lip from the punch.

Delposen then tried to get away from the house, but Huddy
caught her and pulled her back into the building. At this time, she fell and injured her knee, police said.

When she sought refuge in a bathroom, she said, Huddy threatened to kill her, then himself, with the knife.

Delposen called a friend, Ryan Goehring, who went to the house, where Huddy confronted him, police said.

McBride said Huddy picked up a brick and threatened to kill Goehring with it before using the kitchen knife to cut off his ankle-bracelet monitor and fleeing the building.

Pennsylvania court records indicate Huddy has a criminal history dating to 2001, when he pleaded guilty to hunting without a license and was fined $141.50. He pleaded guilty to criminal mischief in 2007 and was fined $319.50.

His criminal history also includes charges earlier this year of escape and criminal mischief, which were waived to court. Huddy also has faced other charges including manufacture, delivery or possession of controlled substances with intent to deliver, criminal mischief, theft and receiving stolen property.

It is unclear which, if any, of those offenses were the reason Huddy was wearing the ankle monitor. Personnel from Lawrence County's Department of Adult Probation said the office has a policy not to release information on people adjudicated through its office.

Police said Huddy left the house before officers arrived, but McBride - handler for Ellwood City's police dog, Jozek - said the dog was able to pick up Huddy's scent through the ankle monitor.

Jozek tracked Huddy along Third Street and a series of alleys in the Pittsburgh Circle neighborhood. McBride called other officers to establish a perimeter in the area, and Huddy was taken into custody at Mulberry and Apple ways.

Huddy was arraigned and placed in the Lawrence County Jail after failing to put up $25,000 bond.

http://ellwoodcityledger.com/site/news.cfm?newsid=20371434&BRD=2724&PAG=461&dept_id=563781&rfi=6

Schools evacuated on threat

Eric Poole, Ledger Staff
09/17/2009

ELLWOOD CITY - Lincoln High School and Hartman Elementary School were evacuated Wednesday in response to a threat of violence.

Frank Aloi, superintendent of Ellwood City Area School District, said a student found a threatening message in a third-floor boys restroom at the high school around 10 a.m. Aloi declined to reveal exactly what was said in the message, but said it merited action by school administrators.

"We felt it was specific enough to implement our crisis plan," Aloi said.

After seeing the message, the student went to a teacher, and the teacher informed a principal, who called for the high school to be cleared. Hartman was evacuated as well, in a precautionary measure, Aloi said.

In accordance with the district's crisis plan, formulated last year after students were left outside without jackets on a frigid winter day, students were sent to churches near the high school.

Those students were overseen by teachers and administrators during the evacuation period.

School officials called Ellwood City police and a private security firm that handles calls for the Grove City-based Midwestern Intermediate Unit IV.

The private security firm has a bomb-sniffing dog service, but the district also called the Beaver County Sheriff's Department, which arrived with its own dog before the security firm's dog could reach the school.

Neither the dog nor the search teams found any bomb, and students went back into classrooms later in the school day.

Aloi said the threat mentioned a specific time, which had passed by early Wednesday afternoon.

Eric Poole can be reached online at epoole@ellwoodcityledger.com.


©Ellwood City Ledger 2009

http://ellwoodcityledger.com/site/news.cfm?newsid=20370868&BRD=2724&PAG=461&dept_id=563781&rfi=6

Vacant Crawford Avenue home burns

Vacant Crawford Avenue home burns


New Castle News

New Castle’s Lower East Side was the scene of another suspicious fire early Saturday.

The blaze broke out about 2:30 a.m. in a vacant home at 229 N. Crawford Ave. New Castle Police officer David Viggiano, the city’s fire marshal, was called to investigate.

Two nights earlier, another Lower East Side fire at 306 1/2 Pine St. left a family homeless, just three weeks after a woman and her five children had moved into it. Authorities called that blaze suspicious as well.

Prior to Saturday’s blaze, there had been 46 confirmed arsons and eight undetermined fires in the area over the last several months.

http://www.ncnewsonline.com/archivesearch/local_story_257100052.html

Union man allegedly planned to do killing

A Union Township man arrested in an alleged murder-for-hire plot planned to do the killing himself, authorities said.

Lauren Bozart, a spokeswoman from state Attorney General Tom Corbett’s Office, said Thursday that Leslie Richard Ransom, 50, of 1105 Miller Road was allegedly planning to hire a third party to help him carry out the plan.

Ransom was arrested Wednesday in an alleged murder-for-hire plot that had been uncovered last month.

New Castle police Chief Thomas Sansone said he didn’t expect any other arrests in the case. His department worked in conjunction with the Attorney General’s office, state police and Union Township police.

“It didn’t get that far along,” Sansone said of Ransom’s recruiting attempt.

According to the criminal complaint, Ransom wanted to get even with three individuals who had robbed him. He was willing to trade drugs in order to obtain a gun to carry out the murders.

Sansone said the initial information about the plot was provided by a local officer, who worked on the case in cooperation with the Attorney General’s office.

“Our guys did a lot of legwork on this, along with the state police,” Sansone said.

Sansone noted that his department provided technical support, including recording devices, for the operation.

He described the suspect as being a familiar figure to city police.

Sansone said he believed state police handled the initial robbery call that spawned the plot for revenge.

Agents arranged a series of undercover meetings with Ransom and discussed the possibility of trading Roxicet pills for a 9mm handgun, according to a press release from Corbett’s office. Ransom discussed in great detail his plans to kill three individuals and dispose of their bodies in a specific secluded area within Moraine State Park.

Agents said that Ransom allegedly picked the location because it would be difficult for anyone to find the bodies.

As part of the undercover operation, agents provided Ransom with a 9 mm handgun, which had been rendered inoperable. He was taken into custody after taking possession of the handgun. Agents seized Roxicet and Xanax pills and recovered the handgun.

Ransom is charged with two counts of criminal attempted homicide, two counts of criminal solicitation, two counts of possession of a controlled substance, one count of criminal use of a communication facility, one count of illegal sale or transfer of a firearm and one count of possession of drug paraphernalia.

Ransom is in the Lawrence County jail on $100,000 bond. A preliminary hearing is scheduled for 9:30 a.m. Wednesday in Lawrence County Central Court.


http://www.ncnewsmedia.com/archive/2009/09September/Murder_For_Hire/story1.htm

Spruce Street resident robbed

A Spruce Street man was robbed at gunpoint Friday while walking home from a store.

Police said the victim was stopped shortly after 10 p.m. by a male who asked him what he had. The male then pulled out a hand gun and pointed it at the victim’s face, demanding that the victim give him whatever he had.

The victim handed over $101, and the gunman fled in the direction of Pine Street.

The victim’s sister, who had witnessed the robbery from a distance, believed she knew the gunman. However, when she and her brother were given the opportunity to view mug shots, they were unable to make a positive identification.


http://www.ncnewsonline.com/local/local_story_252073633.html

Felasco gets probation, home confinement

New Castle News

Gary F. Felasco received three years probation and six months of home confinement for failing to file a federal income tax return in 2005.

Sentencing took place Tuesday morning in U.S. Senior District Judge Gustave Diamond’s courtroom in downtown Pittsburgh.

The former Lawrence County treasurer pleaded guilty in February to one count of failing to file a 2005 federal tax return. Felasco could have received from four to 10 months in prison and possible fines.

The U.S. Attorney’s Office said the charge was separate but related to a mortgage fraud case involving Affordable Housing of Lawrence County and First Commonwealth Bank.

Diamond agreed with Felasco’s attorney, James J. Ross, and the federal government with the terms of the sentence.

Ross and U.S. Assistant Attorney Brendan T. Conway called Felasco’s cooperation exemplary. The former Lawrence County treasurer reportedly supplied invaluable information regarding corruption in Lawrence County.

Felasco already is serving parole through September 2013 in connection with a 2006 conviction on charges of theft by failure to make required disposition of funds, misappropriation of entrusted property, embezzlement and conflict of interest. Tuesday’s sentence will run concurrently with his parole.

http://www.ncnewsonline.com/archivesearch/local_story_251121350.html

Armed robber strikes

An armed robber held up First Choice Credit Union on Friday morning and fled with an unknown amount of cash.

The incident at the 1400 Wilmington Road office took place shortly after 11 a.m. A sign on the door said directed customers to other offices to transact their business. An man who answered the door declined to talk about the robbery.

New Castle police were combing the North Hill for a 5-foot-8 white male who had worn a blue bandana over his face during the robbery. Employees told police that the man fled south on foot and was carrying a yellow bag.

http://www.ncnewsmedia.com/archive/2009/Rapid_Response/SEPTEMBER/04/Bank_Robbery/index.htm

Guns seized during search

New Castle News

State police seized more than four dozen firearms yesterday during a search of a South New Castle Borough home.

Police said that their investigation of a May burglary led them to a serve a search warrant at 2:50 p.m. yesterday at the 2010 Martha St. home of 61-year-old David Harry Myers.

During the search, 53 firearms were seized. Police said that at least five of them are known to be stolen property.

The investigation is continuing. No charges have been filed against Myers.

http://www.ncnewsonline.com/local/local_story_246093942.html

Neshannock man faces drug charge

A Neshannock Township man is accused of altering a prescription to obtain a controlled substance.

According to Neshannock police, Frank Gaines Jr., 43, of 132 E. Northview Avenue attempted to pass the altered prescription Wednesday at Rite Aid, 1730 Wilmington Road.

A felony charge of acquiring or obtaining possession of controlled substances was filed against Gaines at the office of District Judge Scott A. McGrath.

http://www.ncnewsonline.com/local/local_story_245081741.html

Burglars Targeting Golf Courses In Beaver, Lawrence Counties

Police in Beaver and Lawrence counties are offering a cash reward to try and stop a series of golf course break-ins.

Courses were hit at Stonecrest in New Beaver, Fox Run in North Sewickley Township and Black Hawk in Chippewa Township.

In all three cases, burglars broke into buildings, caused damage inside and outside, and stole money and other items, police said.

Anyone with information is asked to contact police.

http://www.wpxi.com/news/20686348/detail.html

Special - Occult Crimes - Interesting Read

1981 New Castle, PA Frank Costal of New Castle was arrested for the Murder and mutilation of Kathy Kadunce, 25, and Dawn 4. The victims were each stabbed 17 times as part of the ritualistic sacrifice. Although Costal's defense attn. called the trial a "modern day witch hunt", it was the testimony of Costal's friends that ultimatley convicted him. Micheal Atkinson, Costals gay lover was a key witness and had been charged in the murders a month earlier. Costal recieved life imprisonment. (AP)

http://usminc.org/crime3.html

******* another interesting post I found on this subject ********

Pittsbughgirl-
You said you have done some research on the so-called "Pennsylvania Strangler", so you may be interested in exploring a little more.

I have been looking into the unsolved homicide of my step-father's daughter in New Castle, PA which occurred in 1975. One of the prime suspects in the murder is currently serving life in prison at SCI Greene for the 1978 double homicide of a young mother and her four year old daughter. My step father's daughter was four years old and was murdered along with her babysitter. The two murders occurred just a few miles from each other (yeah, I know, I asked the State Police why, back in 1980 when they arrested Atkinson, they didn't explore the possibility that the crazy satan worshippers might have something to do with the OTHER senseless murder of a four year old and a grown woman in a very small town, but they just kind of blew me off).

The 1978 murder victims were Kathy & Dawn Kadunce. The case was tried as a satanic ritual homicide and one of the perpetrators considered himself a high priest of satan (Frank Costal). Lots of press coverage, so if you ever look at newspapers from the past you should have no trouble reading up on it. I belong to newspapers archives.com and have gotten lots of info, but the New Castle News is only on-line up to 1977 so the coverage I have found is not as detailed as I would like.

Both homicides were done in a "group" and there seems to be some confusion among police as to who exactly was present. Michael Atkinson testified in the Kadunce trial (January 1981) and he changed his story numerous times. One of the men Atkinson claims was present at the Kadunce homicide allegedly committed suicide 3 months prior to Atkinson's arrest, leaving a type-written note before putting a bullet in his head. It is interesting to note that the victims of all the "satanic" homicides got a bullet in the head. Atkinson also claimed the husband, Larry Kadunce, was at the homicdes. Kadunce was arrested after Atkinson went to prison and was acquitted of the murders one year later. Kadunce still lives in the area.

Considering that Roberta Elam was a nun and Susan Rush was devoutly religious, I have been doing research to the best of my ability (I am out of state) trying to find any possible connection with Atkinson and his group of friends. I figured perhaps the psycho satan worshippers might get off on killing a nun. There is no evidence at all that there is any connection. However, Atkinson is a convicted rapist and a multiple murderer. He was also convicted of the murder of his landlady Rose Puz in January 1980.

Most likely, it is just a coincidence that a homicidal psychopath (that is how Atkinson is repeatedly described to me by police, lawyers, and anyone who knew him) lived in Ellwood City during the time that all these women were killed. It may also be a coincidence that this psychopath hung out with a group of guys who considered themselves satan worshippers and who committed horrible crimes, including but not limited to, violent rape and murder. It has been noted that the DNA from victim to victim excludes only one man committing all these crimes. Now police have proven that Elam and Rush were committed by the same guy.

Michael Atkinson was and is a dangerous, troubled, violent man. He also was convicted of many crimes but was ALWAYS WITH OTHER GUYS who helped him commit them. Consider this about Atkinson:
  • He was convicted of various arson charges in 1972 (I can find no details, just the docket entry of the courts)
  • He is strongly believed to have committed the violent double homicide of a four year old girl and her babysitter in November 1975
  • He was convicted of a rape he committed with another man in September 1978
  • He was convicted of the July 1978 double homicide of Kathy Kadunce and her four year old daughter Dawn
  • He was convicted of the murder of 83 year old Rose Puz, his landlady, in January 1980. I believe she was strangled, but I am not 100% certain. She was also set on fire.
I find it odd and very difficult to believe he went from arson to double homicide with nothing in between from 1972 to 1975, then again nothing until July 1978, followed by a rape in September 1978, and murder again in January 1979. I think the police are missing a few pieces.

http://www.websleuths.com/forums/showpost.php?s=ee48a34667bdac48e904a77f8d278234&p=3394172&postcount=23

Special - Unsolved Murders - Interesting Reads

While homicide detectives in Ohio stalked the Cleveland "torso killer" through the latter 1930s, they were periodically distracted by reports of unsolved slayings from the area of New Castle and West Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. No solid link between the crime sprees was established, but coincidence of timing, the proximity of common railway lines, and the unanimous decapitation of victims in both states have produced some tantalizing theories. No two reports agree upon the number of New Castle victims, and several accounts make surprisingly detailed reference to non-existent crimes. A retrospective survey in the local paper, published in December 1971, refers to eleven victims slain between 1921 and 1940, but a detailed review of newspaper records reveals only five murders, spanning a period of fourteen years.

The first victim, a young man, was found in a marshy area between New Castle and West Pittsburgh - later dubbed the "murder swamp" - on October 6, 1925. Nude on discovery, the man had been dead at least three weeks when he was found, and discovery of his severed head on October 8 provided no clue to his identity. As with the other Pennsylvania victims, he remains unidentified.

On October 17, 1925, a headless male skeleton was found in the swamp. The matching skull was unearthed two days later, along with that of a woman, killed at least a year earlier. Neither victim was identified by authorities, and no trace of the woman's body was ever found.

The local "headless murders" were a fading memory by July 1, 1936, when a man's decapitated body turned up on a slag dump of the Pittsburgh & Lake Erie Railroad, at New Castle Junction. The victim's head was never found, and he remains anonymous. Newspapers spread beneath the body included issues from Pittsburgh and Cleveland, dating from July 1933.

On October 13, 1939, another headless, decomposing man was fished out of the swamp near West Pittsburgh. Charred newspapers surrounding the body included month-old copies from Youngstown, Ohio, and the victim's head was found nearby, in an abandoned box car, five days later.

Were the Pennsylvania crimes and Cleveland's murder spree connected? Did Ohio's "Mad Butcher" first try his hand in New Castle, taking a decade off before he resumed activities in Cleveland? Detective Peter Merylo, stalking the headhunter into retirement, blamed one man for both sets of murders, plus 20 to 30 more kills, nationwide. The final truth has managed to elude police for over half a century, and it may well lie buried in the Pennsylvania "murder swamp."

http://www.skcentral.com/articles.php?article_id=488

Alleged hookers busted in the city

Two women face prostitution charges in connection with an undercover operation on New Castle’s South Side.

City police said they have received a high volume of complaints from neighborhood residents. And within 30 minutes Monday morning, two women had been arrested.

Stacy Kirkwood, 38, of 602 Gardner Center Road was charged with prostitution, possession of a controlled substance and possession of drug paraphernalia. She remains in Lawrence County jail on $1,000 bond. Her preliminary hearing is scheduled for 9:30 a.m. Tuesday.

Brandy Lynn Bartley, 30, of 5393 Erie St., Edinburg, was charged with prostitution and released from custody. Bartley’s preliminary hearing is set for 9:30 a.m. Sept. 10.

Kirkwood reportedly approached an undercover officer stationed in the Lutton Street area at 2 a.m. Monday.

“Kirkwood asked (the officer) what he was looking for, and he stated he was looking to get some (oral sex),” a police report about the incident noted. “(The officer) asked how much for oral sex and (intercourse), and she stated ‘Both will cost you $30.’ ”

The officer agreed to the price and drove Kirkwood to the “designated take down point.”

When Kirkwood realized two police officers were following, the report said, she told the undercover agent to stop and jumped out of the vehicle. Kirkwood was arrested as she attempted to reach the Columbus Innerbelt.

Police said suspected crack cocaine was found in her purse.

The undercover officer then headed to the area of Home and Mill streets, where Bartley reportedly approached him.

Bartley allegedly told the officer that it would cost him $40 for the same services Kirkwood reportedly had offered for $30.

“(The officer) stated he only had $32 on him,” according to the report. “Bartley stated she would do it for that.”

Shortly afterward, she was taken into custody and charged.

http://www.ncnewsmedia.com/archive/2009/08August/Alleged_Hookers/story1.htm

Man allegedly assaults girl, 10

Man allegedly assaults girl, 10


New Castle News

An Aliquippa man faces an indecent assault charge involving a 10-year-old Ellwood City girl.

Joshua Freeman, 22, of 1404 Green St., Aliquippa, is scheduled a preliminary hearing on the charge at 9:30 a.m. Sept. 30 in Lawrence County Central Court.

According to the documents filed by Ellwood police with District Judge Jerry G. Cartwright, the alleged incident took place in July at a home in the 200 block of First Street, where the girl was watching movies with a group of people that included Freeman and his girlfriend.

Acccording to police, the girl went into the kitchen to get a snack, and Freeman followed her, eventually kissing her and trying to put his hand into her pants.

The girl rebuffed him and he left the room, police said, but at a later date, Freeman again made advances toward the girl.

She and her mother reported the alleged incidents to police Aug. 7.

When questioned by police, Freeman allegedly told investigators that the girl had propositioned him and asked if she could be his girlfiend.

http://www.ncnewsonline.com/local/local_story_240141527.html

Woman faces computer charges

New Castle News

A New Castle woman faces multiple computer crimes charges stemming from altered files at a Neshannock Township business.

The business, which Neshannock Township police did not name, reported July 30 that someone had gained unauthorized access to its computerized files and altered them.

After serving a search warrant, police said, investigators discovered that the computer that had been used to remotely access the files was located at the 224 E. Laurel Ave. home of Beth A. Edgerton. According to police, investigators subsequently determined that the 30-year-old woman had been involved in accessing the files.

Edgerton is charged with third-degree felony counts of unlawful use of a computer, computer theft and computer trespass.

The charges were filed Wednesday with District Judge Scott A. McGrath.

http://www.ncnewsonline.com/local/local_story_240141402.html

DeRosa arraignment moved again


New Castle News

Nicholas DeRosa’s arraignment in a mortgage fraud case has been moved a second time.

A federal grand jury indicted the retired New Castle school administrator on one count of bank fraud, two counts of mail fraud and one count of money laundering conspiracy. The charges, announced July 14, are the result of an investigation involving Affordable Housing of Lawrence County and First Commonwealth Bank.

DeRosa was scheduled to appear in court this morning in downtown Pittsburgh. His new arraignment is set for 9:30 a.m. Oct. 1 before U.S. Magistrate Judge Robert C. Mitchell.

A potential conflict of interest arose between DeRosa and his attorney, Efrem M. Grail of Reed Smith LLP in Pittsburgh. Grail is being considered for the appointment of U.S. Attorney for the Western District of Pennsylvania.

A replacement for current U.S. Attorney Mary Beth Buchanan has not been named.

In paperwork filed Aug. 27, Grail said DeRosa wishes to retain him as counsel.

Despite the government’s objection to Grail’s motion, U.S. Magistrate Amy Reynolds Hay approved the request.

http://www.ncnewsonline.com/local/local_story_243095825.html

Employee steals lottery tickets

Thursday, August 27, 2009

Cranberry convenience store owner Nasser Elyaderani said he had to get a home equity loan to stay in business following the theft of more than $70,000 in lottery tickets.

A former employee, David Gerbrosky, of Ellwood City, pleaded guilty to one count of theft and has been ordered to repay $69,472 to Mr. Elyaderani's business, Freedom Market, and $5,000 to the store's insurance carrier. The business is located at the intersection of Powell and Freedom roads in Cranberry.

Following his guilty plea in July, Mr. Gerbrosky was sentenced on Aug. 12 by Butler County Judge William Shaffer to 90 to 180 days in the county jail and ordered to perform 100 hours of community service.

As part of his plea agreement, however, he was granted parole. According to court records, he has made a $2,000 initial restitution payment.

Cranberry police brought charges in July 2008 after Mr. Elyaderani provided them with a security video showing Mr. Gerbrosky taking lottery tickets.

Mr. Elyaderani said he wanted to remind other convenience store operators and business owners about the importance of keeping personal control over inventory that can be converted easily into cash. "The loss pushed us to the brink of bankruptcy," he said.

An immigrant from Iran, Mr. Elyaderani has operated Freedom Market for about two years.

He also advised business owners to review their insurance policies. He had what he believed to be $65,000 worth of theft coverage, but he discovered after the incident that most of his loss -- resulting from theft by an employee -- was not covered.


http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/09239/993393-54.stm#ixzz0Prt9jiHY

Twice-convicted killer fought death sentence, gets life without parole

Wednesday, August 26, 2009

A New Castle man who has spent more than two decades battling a death sentence for robbing and killing a man on the South Side will now spend the rest of his life in prison after a judge resentenced him yesterday.

Salvador Carlos Santiago, 46, was initially sentenced to death for the January 1985 slaying of Patrick Huber, a 23-year-old printer at Minuteman Press on East Carson Street. In the brutal killing, police said Mr. Santiago stole $16 from the store's cash register then forced Mr. Huber to kneel in the store's back room before shooting him once in the back of the head.

Just two days before Mr. Huber's slaying, Mr. Santiago shot and killed 20-year-old Dean K. O'Hara, who had stopped to help Mr. Santiago when the car Mr. Santiago was driving broke down on a highway outside of New Castle. Mr. Santiago was sentenced to life in prison for the killing and did not appeal that case.

The Huber case has spent the last 23 years winding its way through state and federal courts as Mr. Santiago exhausted every avenue of appeal, including unsuccessfully petitioning the U.S. Supreme Court in October 1995. At one point, in 1991, he was successful in getting the state to grant him a new trial. He was again convicted and sentenced to death in 1993.

On Sept. 22, 2004, Gov. Ed Rendell signed a death warrant for Mr. Santiago and his execution by lethal injection was scheduled for that November. But before he could be executed, Mr. Santiago filed a petition in federal court challenging both his conviction and sentencing on numerous grounds, including that his appointed attorneys were ineffective.

After spending the last five years of wrangling in federal court, Allegheny County Assistant District Attorney Ronald Wabby and Mr. Santiago's public defender, Billy Nolas of the Federal Community Defender Office, signed an order that allowed for the death sentence to be vacated in exchange for Mr. Santiago agreeing not to pursue any more appeals.

The order, signed by both attorneys and issued by U.S. District Judge Joy Flowers Conti in June, conceded Mr. Santiago's claim that he received ineffective counsel during the death penalty phase of his second trial and ordered that he be resentenced to life imprisonment. Allegheny County Common Pleas Judge Jeffrey A. Manning's resentencing yesterday came as a result of the order.

Mr. Wabby said he was not conceding that Mr. Santiago received ineffective counsel and called signing the agreement a means to an end.

"Looking at the background of the case, the interest of the victim, the interest of the commonwealth ... the resolution of these issues was the best for all the parties involved in this way," he said. "In order to get [Mr. Santiago] that type of relief, that's what we had to agree to."

http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/09238/993251-54.stm

Brown's Lawyers Ask Judge To Throw Out Evidence

At a hearing Wednesday afternoon in Lawrence County, lawyers for an 11-year-old boy charged with killing his father's pregnant fiancée asked a judge to throw out much of the evidence against him.

"They don't have any evidence that actually puts Jordan Brown in the house at the time of the deaths," said Dennis Elisco, the defense attorney.

Brown is charged in the fatal shooting of his father's pregnant girlfriend, Kenzie Houk.

Police say the boy killed the 26-year-old inside the home that the family shared in Wampum, and then went to school.

"There's no evidence that his gun was discharged or it was the weapon. We've gotten nothing back that; there's no blood. The most recent discovery, there's no blood on the gun; there's no fingerprints detectable on his gun, the shotgun," said Elisco. "And we're still waiting, how many months later… we're waiting on ballistics."

The defense alleges a search warrant that state police used to gather evidence inside the family home was missing a signature. Therefore, it should be thrown out along with the statement that Brown made while at school to a trooper.

"My argument is two-fold," said Elisco. "One, that he was clearly in custody because he reasonable believed that he couldn't leave, as any fifth grader would have reasonably believed. And secondly, that the Commonwealth… intentionally prevented Chris Brown from being present during the interview."

As for the prosecution, they say they are legally sound on all of their grounds.

Meanwhile, the judge says he will rule on these matters within the next 30 days.

http://kdka.com/local/Jordan.Brown.hearing.2.1145991.html

Abandoned house torched — again

New Castle News

The New Castle Fire Department responded to another suspicious fire early yesterday.


A Lawrence County dispatcher said the blaze broke out at 4:43 a.m. at 826 Morton St., an abandoned house that was the site of another suspicious fire Aug. 12.

According to Assistant Chief Mark Panella, when city firefighters arrived, the door to the house was open and small fires were burning in each of the rooms on the first floor.

Firefighters said they detected an odor of gas.

It took little time to extinguish the fires, Panella noted.

“We got there early,” he said. “We were dispatched at a quarter to five and were out of there by a quarter after 5.”

According to Panella, the fire was reported by a next door neighbor who woke up and saw smoke.

http://www.ncnewsonline.com/local/local_story_236092105.html

Man gets two DUIs in two hours

GROVE CITY — Police have charged a western Pennsylvania man with drunken driving twice in a little more than two hours.

Police in Hermitage say 31-year-old Donny Clark, of Grove City was first stopped Wednesday at 11:31 p.m. after someone reported a reckless driver.

Police say Clark was released to the custody of a friend who was supposed to drive him home but, instead, apparently drove Clark back to his vehicle. The same officer stopped and charged Clark when he saw him driving at 1:39 a.m. Thursday.

Police did not immediately say if Clark’s friend may face charges. The Associated Press could not locate a listed phone for Clark or an attorney for him in online court records.

http://www.ncnewsonline.com/local/local_story_226104022.html


Accused child rapist heads to court

A Wampum man accused of repeatedly raping a child has been ordered held for court.


Frank W. Snyder, 28, of 2706 Old Route 18, remains in the Lawrence County jail on $100,000 bond.

Snyder is charged with four counts of rape, three counts of involuntary deviate sexual intercourse, two counts of statutory sexual assault, three counts of indecent exposure, nine counts of corruption of minors, seven counts of indecent assault, seven counts of sexual assault and four counts of unlawful contact with a minor.

At a preliminary hearing yesterday before District Judge David Rishel, the victim, now 17, said Snyder has shown her unwanted attention since she was 12 years old.

She said he began by kissing her. When she was 13, she said, Snyder raped her twice and twice more when she was 14. She said on those occasions, he held her down with one hand and put his other hand over her mouth so she would not make noise. She testified he also had threatened her, saying if she told anyone, he would go after her.

Earlier this year, she said, Snyder demanded that she perform oral sex. She said this happened on three occasions.

Snyder’s attorney, Stanley Booker, asked that the bond be reduced but could not get support for this from assistant district attorney Luanne Parkonen.

http://www.ncnewsonline.com/local/local_story_225113944.html


Two men waive hearings on drug charges

Two men charged with drug possession waived their cases to court this week.


Charges against a third man were dismissed.

According to police, George Martin Sr. and 38, George Martin Jr., 18, both of 215 Friendship St. and Maurice M. Caldwell, 22, of 112 W. Grant St., were charged July 27, after a search warrant was served at the Martins’ Friendship Street house. All three were in the house when police executed the search warrant.

Police said two guns and a small quantity of drugs were found.

Martin Jr. is charged with possession of cocaine with intent to deliver, possession of a controlled substance and illegal possession of a firearm by a convicted felon.

Caldwell is charged with two counts of possession of a controlled substance, crack cocaine and Ecstasy.

District Judge Jennifer Nicholson, presiding at the preliminary hearings, reduced Martin Jr.’s bond from $50,000 to $30,000. Caldwell’s bond was reduced from $10,000 to $2,500. Both remain in the Lawrence County jail.

Martin Sr. is charged with illegal firearm possession by a felon and receiving a gun as stolen property.

Nicholson dismissed charges against George Martin Sr., but he remains in jail on other charges. His bond for those is $75,000.

http://www.ncnewsonline.com/local/local_story_219221434.html

New Castle To Tear Down More Abandoned Homes After Blaze

Roof Collapses During Fire At Abandoned Business

Firefighters in New Castle battled an intense blaze at a building early Monday morning along Long Avenue.Fire crews were called to the former business at about 2:15 a.m.Video showed flames shooting out of the windows. Shortly after firefighters arrived, the roof collapsed.Fire investigators told Channel 11 News that the fire started in the back of the building.They are calling the cause suspicious but have not officially ruled it arson.No one was hurt in the blaze, which was one of more than 50 suspicious fires in New Castle in the past 18 months. Investigators are offering a $3,000 reward for information leading to an arrest.While police investigate the latest blaze, city code enforcement is trying to tear down abandoned buildings in the area.Investigators said no one lived in the home for years, but the homeowner, Eddie Grossman, said he lived there. No utilities were hooked up though, authorities said.It will now be added to the list of homes being torn down."There's quite a few (of abandoned buildings)," said Code Enforcement Officer Anthony Cioffi, who said there are more than 100.The mayor of New Castle said he is among many people fed up."We got to tear it down now," said Mayor Anthony Mastrangelo. "It takes money away from homes that really need to be torn down."Officials said it costs about $4,000 to tear down each home, but the city recently got some much-needed federal money to help out."We just received money Friday from the state, $150, 000 to begin tearing down homes, and that is going to help," said Mastrangelo.There is still a $3,000 reward for a tip that leads to an arrest and conviction of the person responsible for the arsons.

http://www.wpxi.com/news/20427087/detail.html

Sheriff's Deputies Arrest Most Wanted Suspect

One of Allegheny County's most wanted suspects was arrested by Sheriff's Deputies at a campground on Thursday night.

Authorities say 27-year old Christopher Cimino, of Swissvale, was wanted for a parole violation.

According to investigators, Cimino was charged with simple assault and criminal mischief back in June. He is accused of assaulting his girlfriend.

Officials say Sherriff's Deputies found him with his girlfriend at the Slippery Rock Campground Park in Lawrence County.

Cimino is now being held without bond.

Man arrested after domestic dispute

Published July 21, 2009 08:53 am -

NEW LOCAL: Man arrested after domestic dispute


New Castle News

An Enon Valley man was arrested following a domestic dispute Saturday.


Pennsylvania State Police charged Shawn Allen Martin, 52, with simple assault, a second-degree misdemeanor, after an incident at 5:45 p.m. Saturday in Little Beaver Township.

Police said Martin threw and struck a woman with a plastic lawn chair, causing injury.

Martin was arraigned Saturday before District Judge Scott McGrath and was released on a $1,000 unsecured bond.

Martin’s preliminary hearing is scheduled for 9:30 a.m. July 28 before District Judge Jerry G. Cartwright.

http://www.ncnewsonline.com/local/local_story_202085412.html

Two accused of sexual assault

NEW LOCAL: Two accused of sexual assault


New Castle News

A 20-year-old man and a male juvenile are accused of sexually assaulting an 11-year-old girl.


The incident allegedly took place during the July 4 weekend in Hickory Township.

Robert James Floyd of 291 Eastbrook-Neshannock Falls Road is charged with two counts of statutory sexual assault, two counts of aggravated indecent assault, two counts of indecent assault and two counts of corruption of minors.

Floyd was arraigned Friday before District Judge Scott McGrath, after turning himself in to state police. He was placed in the Lawrence County jail and bond was set at $20,000.

A 17-year-old male of Alliance, Ohio, is charged with statutory sexual assault, aggravated indecent assault and indecent assault. He was placed in the Krause Shelter Center and a juvenile petition will be filed against him. He also turned himself in to police.

According to reports, the victim told a parent she had consensual sex at Floyd’s home with the two accused.

The parent contacted police who learned that the juvenile was visiting Floyd at his home the time and the victim was visiting friends there, police said.

The victim was not injured and no physical force was used during the assault, reports said.


http://www.ncnewsonline.com/local/local_story_202074409.html

No Word On Whether Arson Suspected

Blaze Rips Through Another Home In New Castle

No Word On Whether Arson Suspected

Posted: 7:40 am EDT July 21, 2009Updated: 10:34 am EDT July 21, 2009

Firefighters responded to another fire in New Castle late Monday night.Flames tore through a home along Patterson Street, which is in a different area of town from where there have been a series of arsons at vacant homes.Lawrence County emergency dispatchers were unable to confirm if the home was vacant or not.There have been 12 suspicious fires in the past six months in New Castle.There is a $3,000 reward for information leading to an arrest and conviction in that investigation.Neighbors met with the mayor and fire chief earlier this month to find out what they can do to stop the arsonist.They focused on curfews, patrols and vacant houses.The mayor said the city has been approved for a $100,000 grant to demolish abandoned homes. There are 10 homes already on the list.

http://www.wpxi.com/news/20127148/detail.html

Police Raid Suspected Meth Lab In New Castle Mobile Home

Police Raid Suspected Meth Lab In New Castle Mobile Home

Posted: 3:27 pm EDT July 17, 2009Updated: 5:34 pm EDT July 17, 2009

New Castle police arrested a man accused of making crystal methamphetamine in his mobile home.Joshua Rogers was arrested on felony drug charges after an undercover police officer entered his home.According to the criminal complaint, the arresting officer saw all the makings for a meth lab inside the mobile home -- glass beakers, gas cans with attached hoses, a blender and a large number of cold medications.Rogers boasted to the undercover officer how experienced and good he was at making methamphetamine, according to the complaint.Chief Tom Sansone of the New Castle Police Department said police were happy to have made a timely arrest.

New Castle Authorities, Residents Fed Up With Arsons

Posted: 6:37 am EDT July 14, 2009Updated: 4:43 pm EDT July 14, 2009

New Castle residents joined their community's fire chief in expressing their fear and frustration after a fire erupted in another vacant house Tuesday morning."It's very frustrating," said New Castle Fire Chief Tom Maciarello. "I'm at a loss for words right now."The most recent fire brings the total of suspected arsons to 13 this year.Tuesday's fire started at about 3:30 a.m. at a vacant home at Oak and Ray streets. Firefighters let the house burn to the ground, using water only to make sure it didn't spread to nearby homes.Officials said the house was on a list of vacant homes to be torn down in New Castle.Channel 11 News spoke with New Castle Police Chief Tom Sansone, who said they have not determined if the fires are connected or unrelated."Several of them, in the way they start, seem to be connected -- the same (Lower East Side) area or manner they start them in and the accelerant they use," Sansone said. "In other ones, it's totally different so it's our opinion some of these fires could be related (and) some may not be.""We think we may be looking for more than one person in these (arsons)," he said."(Whoever's responsible is) trying to stay one step ahead of us," said Maciarello. "He's going to slip up sooner or later."New Castle City Council is pushing for a resolution to make it law where property owners have to register a house abandoned within a year, or they could face fines. Money collected in fines could help tear down other dilapidated properties.New Castle police are also increasing their patrols in the Lower East Side where most of the fires have been set. They are asking residents to be their eyes and ears on the street.Many neighbors have seen enough as it is, though. "(It's) unsettling. It is something we have to continuously worry about," said neighbor Brandi Lykins. "I know there is a vacant house behind my garage and another one down (the street).""It makes me real nervous," said Tina Hoffman, neighbor. "I had to up my homeowners insurance in case that caught on fire to protect myself. So it's very nerve racking."The house's owner, Janis Tummavichakul, arrived at the scene while the home was engulfed in flames Tuesday morning."This is so detrimental to the community," said Tummavichakul. "We, as residents and homeowners, have to be exposed to this and live in fear not knowing what victim is going to be next."The flames came just hours after neighbors met to address the town's arson problem. At that meeting, residents raised the reward to $3,000 for information leading to the arrest and conviction of anyone responsible for setting the fires.

http://www.wpxi.com/news/20047069/detail.html

Reward Increased For New Castle Arsonist Arrest

Reward Increased For New Castle Arsonist Arrest

Posted: 6:04 am EDT July 12, 2009Updated: 11:54 pm EDT July 13, 2009

Neighbors and community leaders met Monday night in New Castle, to develop an action plan to stop an arsonist.There have been 12 suspicious fires over the past six months in New Castle.Hunter Davis' house was the last to be torched."Most of the time they were burning abandoned houses. Like my neighbor said, I'm always gone, maybe they didn't think anyone was there," Davis said.Neighbors met with the mayor and fire chief to find out what they can do to stop the arsonist.They focused on curfews, patrols and vacant houses.The mayor told the group the city has been approved for a $100,000 grant to demolish abandoned homes.There are 10 homes already on the list."We have absentee owners who live in Florida, California, Kentucky, Bermuda. They're not maintaining the properties," said Mayor Anthony Mastangelo.A $3,000 reward is being offered for information leading to an arrest.

http://www.wpxi.com/news/20029689/detail.html

Car Takes Out Gas Pump In Lawrence County

Car Takes Out Gas Pump In Lawrence County

Posted: 5:38 pm EDT July 9, 2009Updated: 4:55 pm EDT July 10, 2009

Police said two drivers will likely be cited in a crash that ended with a gas pump knocked over at a Lawrence County gas station.Pauline Cunningham was working at the counter at the Sunoco along Route 65 in Shenango Township when she saw a car coming straight toward the gas station."It was pretty scary. Everybody kept thinking we were going to blow up," said Cunningham.Surveillance video from Sunoco was releaed on Friday. Watch video.Police said one driver swerved to avoid hitting a car that pulled out in front of him on Route 65, causing him to crash into the gas pump at about 40 mph.The pump shut off automatically, police said. Cunningham turned off the rest of the pumps herself.The gas station was back open for business on Friday.

Hearing Held For Wampum Murder Suspect

New Castle (KDKA) - A hearing was held in Lawrence County for the 11-year-old boy facing charges in the death of his father's pregnant fiancée.

Jordan Brown is accused in the fatal shooting of 26-year-old Kenzie Houk at the family's farmhouse in Wampum back in February.

"They always go over his rights. But what rights do we have?," Debbie Houk, the mother of victim Kenzie Houk wondered as she listened to testimony at today's hearing.

Christopher Brown, the father of 11-year-old Jordan Brown, testified he would never have given permission for his son to be interviewed by a state trooper the day of the killing.

He agreed to an interview of his son later, but that's one reason the defense wants the content of that discussion thrown out.

Prosecutor John Bongivengo disagrees.

"At the time he was not considered a suspect," said the prosecutor.

But defense attorney David Acker says the boy's description of a black truck at the scene is at issue.

Acker says the victim was once threatened by someone who drove such a truck and the prosecution claims the boy's statements about that are inconsistent.

"We believe Jordan is innocent, and time will tell," said the boy's great aunt, Cynthia Wiseman.

Lawrence County Judge Dominick Motto did not rule on various pretrial evidence motions today.

The defense has yet to ask the judge to certify Brown as a juvenile.

He remains an adult in the eyes of the law at this point.

http://kdka.com/local/Jordan.Brown.hearing.2.1069011.html

City faces two suits over rental fees

Published June 30, 2009 08:45 am -

City faces two suits over rental fees


By John K. Manna
New Castle News

Two lawsuits have been filed against the city of New Castle, challenging an ordinance dealing with registration of rental properties.


One suit was filed by the Apartment Association of Lawrence County and the other by Vista South, which has a 99-unit building on the city’s South Side. Both suits were filed in Lawrence County Common Pleas Court.

The ordinance, adopted by city council in 1998, requires owners of rental properties to register the units and obtain a permit to lease them. Registration fees on each unit are required and units must pass an inspection.

A press release issued by the association contends that city code enforcement officers are given ’unlimited power to grant or deny permits’ and that property owners are ’being subjected to arbitrary determinations regarding their inspections as well as the severity of the violations.’

The association, represented by attorney Bradley Dornish of Pittsburgh, is asking the court to require an accounting of city overhead costs and fee collections, and grant reimbursement to the property owners for the amount in excess of the overhead costs.

It says in its suit that there is no evidence that the fees are necessary to support the provisions of the ordinance. It adds that if the license fee generates more than the cost to administer the license, the fee would become a tax revenue. The lawsuit alleges that if it is a tax revenue, then it is a violation of state law because the power of taxation lies solely with the Legislature.

The lawsuit also is seeking the ordinance to be declared unconstitutional and to permanently prohibit the city from enforcing the ordinance.

The press release noted the association’s attorneys have filed similar lawsuits challenging the constitutionality of landlord registration ordinances in Pittsburgh, Uniontown and Connellsville.

Attorney James Manolis, who represents Vista South, drew up the ordinance when he was city solicitor. However, his lawsuit, filed Monday, disputes the fee increase approved by council a few years ago when he was no longer solicitor.

Under the original ordinance, the city charged an inspection fee of $30 for up to three units and $10 for each additional unit in an apartment building, payable every two years. Council amended it a few years ago, increasing the fee to $100 per unit, also payable every two years.

With the original fee schedule, Vista South’s total cost was $990. Under the amended ordinance, the fee would be $9,900, Manolis said.

’It’s our position that that’s an unlawful fee,’ he said. ’The charges are way above what they need to run the program.’

The lawsuit wants the court to prevent the city from collecting the fee.

It also contends that the city is in violation of the equal protection clause of the Pennsylvania and U.S. constitutions. Manolis said the city only inspects certain types of units and is selective in its enforcement. Units owned by non-profit agencies, he said, are not inspected.

He said the ordinance makes no distinction.

City solicitor Michael Bonner declined to comment Friday.


He said he had not yet seen the apartment association’s lawsuit, which was filed Thursday.

Ellwood rental laws unaffected by New Castle ruling

Ellwood rental laws
unaffected by
New Castle ruling
NEW CASTLE - A lawsuit contesting New Castle's rental property registry ordinance is unlikely to affect a similar regulation in Ellwood City, borough manager Dom Viccari said.


The Apartment Association of Lawrence County, representing New Castle rental property owners, filed a lawsuit Thursday in county court against the City of New Castle, alleging that the city's rental registry ordinance poses an unfair burden on landlords.

Pittsburgh attorney Bradley Dornish, who represents the association, was unavailable for comment Friday.

Court documents filed Thursday by the association claim that a provision in the New Castle ordinance, passed in 1998, is too broad and vague. The provision requires a permit, with a fee, even for properties that are not occupied.

The association also contests the fee charged by the city - which varies depending on the number of units and type of rental property - amounts to an illegal tax because only the state government can levy taxes or delegate that authority to local governments.

According to the lawsuit, the state constitution allows local and county governments to collect fees equal to the costs of carrying out the service in question. Any amount in excess of that is an illegal tax, unless the state government gives its approval.

After reading the court filing Friday, Viccari said he thinks the fee was the central issue in the association's lawsuit. Ellwood City's rental registry ordinance, which was established in 1997, has no fee-collecting provision.

Ellwood City's registry is intended solely to establish a database of rental property owners, which enables borough officials to collect outstanding electric and sewer bills and to charge absentee landlords for cleanup or destruction of dilapidated properties, Viccari said.

According to a news release issued Friday by the apartment association, Dornish, of the law firm of Dornish & Scolieri, plans lawsuits against Pittsburgh, and Uniontown and Connellsville in Fayette County on similar grounds.

The firm has planned no action against Ellwood City.

Eric Poole can be reached online at epoole@ellwoodcityledger.com.

Invaded at gunpoint

ELLWOOD CITY -Lindsay Ostrom spent most of Wednesday painting a room, so she sent her three young children to her mother's house to keep them away from the fumes.

That decision protected the children, all younger than 7, from two gunmen who broke into Ostrom's Ellwood City home at 825 Pershing St just after 10 p.m. Wednesday.

"They just started pointing guns and saying, 'Give us everything,' " Ostrom said.

As of Thursday evening, no arrests had been made in the incident, but borough police said they were tracing a gun that was recovered near Ostrom's home.

Ostrom said two men were black, one wearing a tossel cap pulled over his face with a hole cut for his eyes. She said the second man was wearing a head scarf over his hair and a bandanna around the lower part of his face.

Police said they believe the gun was stolen and that investigators tracing the weapon, hoping it will help identify the invaders.

"We're looking into several leads," said patrolman John Lubich.

At least one gunshot was fired during the incident. Police found a shell casing outside the home.

Terrance Shelby, Lindsay Ostrom's boyfriend, said he was the target of that gunshot. As the two men entered Ostrom's home through the back door, Shelby picked up a young child who was also in the home and tried to run out of the house, but she slipped from his grasp.

Shelby then ran out of the house toward Ellwood City Hospital one block away. As he was running, he said one of the men shot at him.

"I knew if I stopped, I'd have gotten hurt," he said. "I heard a bullet whip past my head."

Police said the two invaders took an undisclosed amount of money, which Ostrom said might have been the motive for the break-in. One of her visitors, a friend of the couple, had received some money from a relative who was awarded several thousand dollars in a lawsuit.

Ostrom said people in the nearby Walnut Ridge public housing development might have known that the friend had a large amount of money.

While the gunmen were in the house, Ostrom's brother Donald said he was trapped in the bathroom. Donald Ostrom said he heard his sister screaming and tried to rush downstairs, when the bathroom door jammed.

By the time he got through the door, Donald Ostrom said, the two gunmen were gone and he called police.

Donald Ostrom said, at police request, everyone involved
gave statements.

Lindsay Ostrom and Shelby said police asked them to have their hands tested for gunshot residue. When Donald Ostrom asked why they wanted to test him, he said officers said he might have been involved.

Lt. Dave Kingston, the police department's ranking officer, said the tests were standard procedure and that officers couldn't rule out any suspects.

Kingston cited recent history to justify investigating victims. Last March, officers were suspicious of a robbery at the Uni-Mart convenience store on Beaver Avenue. In that incident, the clerk said he had been robbed by two black gunmen.

After a six-hour investigation, police charged the clerk in the robbery. At the time, Kingston said the clerk's narrative of the incident contained too many
inconsistencies.

http://ellwoodcityledger.com/site/news.cfm?newsid=20336944&BRD=2724&PAG=461&dept_id=563781&rfi=6

©Ellwood City Ledger 2009

Fire Consumes New Castle Pallet Recycler

Fire Consumes New Castle Pallet Recycler

Posted: 12:43 pm EDT June 23, 2009Updated: 3:14 pm EDT June 23, 2009

Lawrence County 911 said a New Castle business was consumed by flames Tuesday afternoon.The fire started at Custom Pallet Recycler at 1799 County Line Road in Hickory Township shortly after 11 a.m.Firefighters said the blaze consumed the building, which is a total loss.There are no reports of any injuries.

http://www.wpxi.com/news/19834441/detail.html

Hearing for Yerage rescheduled

Published June 20, 2009 09:17 am -

Hearing for Yerage rescheduled


New Castle News

A preliminary hearing for New Castle School Board member Peter Yerage has been continued.


Yerage, 65, of Warren Avenue, was charged with possession of a controlled substance, a misdemeanor. State police filed the charges after a truck, in which Yerage was a passenger, had been pulled over and the vehicle was inspected.

Officers said they had located a pill bottle with methadone and oxycodone. The bottle, which was in a bag with toiletry items, was found on the passenger’s side floor, according to the police report.

A continuance was granted because Yerage’s attorney, Paul Lynch, is out of town. The new hearing date is July 15.

http://www.ncnewsonline.com/local/local_story_170104900.html

Club faces liquor law charges

Published June 18, 2009 08:34 am -

Club faces liquor law charges


New Castle News

A Hillsville club has been charged with several violations of Pennsylvania’s Liquor Code.


According to the Erie office of the Bureau of Liquor Control Enforcement, the Johnson Club on Church Hill Road in Mahoning Township sold alcoholic beverages to nonmembers on July 8, 2008, and allowed various gambling-related activities to take place on its premises not only on that same date, but on four others as well.

The enforcement office alleges that on July 8, Sept. 10, Oct. 9 and Nov. 20, 2008, and again on Jan. 23 of this year, the Johnson Club possessed or operated gambling devices or paraphernalia or permitted gambling or lotteries, poolselling and/or bookmaking on its licensed premises.

On Dec. 20, the office alleged, the club also used funds derived from the operation of games of chance for purposes other than those authorized by law.

The charges will be brought before an administrative law judge, who can impose penalties ranging from $50 to $1,00 for minor offenses or up to $5,000 for major ones. Depending upon the severity of the charge, the judge also can impose a license suspension or revocation.

COURTS: Veterinarian gets OK for ARD program

COURTS: Veterinarian gets OK for ARD program



The Ellwood City veterinarian charged with attempting to drug her ex-boyfriend has entered the accelerated rehabilitative disposition program.

Dr. Cynthia Maro, 46, whose practice is at 728 Lawrence Ave., was admitted to the program Wednesday by Lawrence County Judge J .Craig Cox. She was ordered to pay costs of prosecution and supervisory fees to the Lawrence County Adult Probation Office and serve 12 months probation.

She was charged with criminal conspiracy to violate the controlled substance act; acquiring a controlled substance by fraud, forgery or deception; dispensing, delivery or providing a controlled substance by a practitioner; and recklessly endangering another person.

According to court papers, Maro attempted to drug her ex-boyfriend with Adderall, a controlled substance. In humans, Adderall is used to treat attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder. In animals the drug is used to control hyperactivity and is used in dog training.

A codefendant, Connie Fay Glavan, 38, of Denny Drive, a veterinary technician in Maro’s office, entered the ARD program June 2. She too was ordered to pay costs of prosecution and 12 months probation. She had been charged with one count of criminal conspiracy to violate the controlled substance act and possession of a controlled substance with intent to deliver.

The ARD program provides an alternative to a criminal conviction. A defendant must apply for the program. The request is reviewed by the district attorney’s office, which considers the defendant’s background, the nature of the offense and effects on the victims before recommending approval of the request to the courts.

Upon satisfactory completion of the program, the defendant may apply to the court to request that charges be dismissed and the record be cleared.

http://www.ncnewsonline.com/topstories/local_story_162102804.html

Man charged in burglary

Man charged in burglary



An Ellwood City man faces a preliminary hearing Tuesday on burglary charges.


Borough police said they responded at 12:02 a.m. May 30 to a report of a burglary in progress at 405 Wayne Ave. and that, upon arrival, they saw Timothy Stiles, 30, jumping out a second-floor window.

Stiles was apprehended and placed in Lawrence County jail, where he posted $15,000 bond.

Stiles, who last known address is 315 Morrison Ave., was charged with burglary, criminal conspiracy, possessing instruments of crime, possession of drug paraphernalia and criminal trespass.

Renee Michelle Burnworth, 30, of Ellwood City faces two counts of criminal conspiracy in relationship to the case.


http://www.ncnewsonline.com/local/local_story_161070650.html

Ellwood man charged in shower theft

NEW LOCAL: Ellwood man charged in shower theft



A West North Street woman got clean — and cleaned out — in the course of taking a shower.


Reaching for a towel, the woman discovered a gun aimed at her face.

According to New Castle police, Robert Shawn Carder, 21, of Ellwood City entered her home Tuesday. Carder reportedly demanded $800 that she had in her possession.

Carder reportedly told her if she didn’t hand over the cash, he would shoot her.

The 23-year-old woman gave the money to Carder. He fled on foot toward Westview Terrace Apartments.

The woman told police Carder used to stay at her home and returned occasionally.

Police later apprehended Carder, who lives at 424 Lawrence Ave., Apartment 1. He faces three felony charges of robbery, prohibited possession of a firearm and carrying a firearm without a license. He also is charged with three misdemeanors: terroristic threats, theft and recklessly endangering another person.

Carder is in the Lawrence County jail on a $10,000 bond.

His preliminary hearing is set for 9:30 a.m. June 17 before District Judge Melissa A. Amodie.


http://www.ncnewsonline.com/local/local_story_162102021.html