tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-46498282692205166312024-02-07T11:22:03.609-08:00Corruption & Crime in Lawrence County, PAPeople from Lawrence County, sharing their stories about corruption & crime in Lawrence County PA.Unknownnoreply@blogger.comBlogger156125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4649828269220516631.post-54181932805773579762010-01-20T07:38:00.000-08:002010-01-21T07:39:26.270-08:00Drug charges filed after shootingA second man has been charged following a shooting incident last week in Union Township.<br /><br />Durand Lawson, 18, was arraigned yesterday before District Judge Jennifer L. Nicholson on one felony count of manufacturing/possession/intent to deliver a controlled substance and one misdemeanor count of possession of a controlled substance. He was placed in the Lawrence County jail in lieu of $100,000 bond. His preliminary hearing is scheduled for 9:30 a.m. Jan. 28 in Lawrence County Central Court.<br /><br />According to Union Township police, Lawson was in a car that pulled into the driveway of an Atlantic Avenue home about 3 p.m. Jan. 13. Police said that Jerell Huddleston, 19, of 209 Richlieu Ave. got out of a truck that was parked in the drive and began shooting at the car.<br /><br />Lawson and another occupant of the car, George Martin, fled, and when police arrived on the scene, officers pursued all of the individuals involved.<br /><br />Lawson was caught with drugs in his pocket, police said.<br /><br />Martin also was taken into custody on outstanding warrants.<br /><br />Huddleston remains in the county jail on $1 million bond, facing two felony attempted homicide charges, two felony aggravated assault charges, one felony count of firearms not to be carried without a license and seven misdemeanor counts of recklessly endangering another person. His preliminary hearing is scheduled for 9:30 a.m. Jan. 28 in Lawrence County Central Court.<br /><br />http://www.ncnewsonline.com/local/local_story_020093311.htmlUnknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4649828269220516631.post-74066839666704188072010-01-08T08:33:00.000-08:002010-01-21T08:34:37.918-08:00Hearing in fatal shooting continuedThe hearing for a city man facing homicide charges following a shooting has been continued to Jan. 20.<br /><br />Jermaine Christopher Hunter, 19, of 713 Young St., is charged with shooting Antonio McKnight.<br /><br />Hunter also is charged with recklessly endangering another person and two counts each of aggravated and simple assault. He remains in the Lawrence County jail without bond.<br /><br />Police were called to 733 Altman Road, Harbor Heights, about 8:30 p.m. Oct. 28, following a report of a shooting. They found McKnight, 20, on his back on the sidewalk. Officers said he had a gunshot wound to his left abdomen. A .380-caliber handgun was found under his left leg.<br /><br />McKnight was taken to Jameson Hospital then St. Elizabeth Health Center in Youngstown. He told police an unknown man had called him to a car, waved a gun and struck him in the face. He said the two struggled for the weapon, which went off, and he fell.<br /><br />In their report, police said McKnight originally had told nurses he had been robbed. He died at 4:54 a.m. Oct. 29.<br /><br />A witness told police McKnight and Hunter had argued, and both had pulled out guns. The witness said McKnight shot once and Hunter shot three times.<br /><br />Another witness said she had heard the two men yelling. She said as McKnight advanced toward Hunter, Hunter pushed McKnight away and shot him three times. The witness said she had not seen McKnight with a gun, but had ducked down in a vehicle when the shots were fired.<br /><br />http://www.ncnewsonline.com/local/local_story_007115745.htmlUnknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4649828269220516631.post-2409742664045712532010-01-07T07:44:00.000-08:002010-01-21T07:45:45.714-08:00Ellwood man faces bazaar chargesAn Ellwood City man has been charged in a theft at a church bazaar.<br /><br />According to Ellwood City police, 19-year-old Jason E. Lambright stole items July 30 and July 31 during a fundraiser at Holy Redeemer Church, 311 Lawrence Ave. The items included 40 stuffed and inflatable animals, four bags of cotton candy and three candied apples.<br /><br />Lambright is accused of enlisting two juveniles, ages 14 and 16, to carry out the scheme.<br /><br />Lambright faces two felony counts of criminal conspiracy to commit burglary. He also is charged with the following misdemeanor offenses: two counts of corruption of minors; two counts of criminal conspiracy/receiving stolen property; and one count of criminal conspiracy to commit theft.<br /><br />Ellwood City police filed the charges Monday with District Judge Jerry G. Cartwright. Police also filed charges in two unrelated events.<br /><br />Police accused Lambright of taking $110 from a borough tanning salon in August. He was charged with burglary, a felony offense, in addition to misdemeanor counts of receiving stolen property and theft by unlawful taking.<br /><br />Lambright will answer to a misdemeanor charge of unauthorized use of an auto. He reportedly took a truck in September parked near Lincoln High School and drove it to Pittsburgh and Lisbon, Ohio, before returning it.<br /><br />Finally, he faces charges stemming from a Nov. 3 incident at the Beaver Valley Mall. He has been in the Beaver County jail since then, charged with robbery/threatening immediate serious bodily injury, a felony; terroristic threats, a misdemeanor; and possessing instruments of crime, a misdemeanor.<br /><br />http://www.ncnewsonline.com/archivesearch/local_story_006072702.htmlUnknownnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4649828269220516631.post-75987179458277912072010-01-06T07:41:00.000-08:002010-01-21T07:44:02.451-08:00Homes burglarized during fireA Walnut Street fire last week may have provided an opportunity for burglary.<br /><br />New Castle firefighters were called out at 10:02 p.m. Dec. 28 to the blaze in a vacant home at 505 S. Walnut St.<br /><br />They left the scene at 11:06 p.m. only to be called back at 11:23 p.m. Flames and smoke quickly became extensive in the second fire that nearby neighbors were advised to leave their homes.<br /><br />A man who lives in the 500 block of Whippo Street told city police Friday afternoon that he left his home about 11 p.m. Dec. 28. When he returned about 11 a.m. the next day, he noticed that his front door and kitchen window were broken.<br /><br />Upon further inspection, he discovered that some copper piping was missing from his basement.<br /><br />While responding to that call, police were advised by another neighbor that he, too, had been instructed to leave his home because of the fire. He also discovered someone had tried to enter his residence while he was gone.<br /><br />That man said that he returned home at 2:35 p.m. the following day and found that a door frame on the east side of the building had been damaged. <br /><br />http://www.ncnewsonline.com/archivesearch/local_story_005082502.htmlUnknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4649828269220516631.post-82247133326585258472010-01-05T08:19:00.000-08:002010-01-21T08:21:34.152-08:00Lawyer Wants To Move Teen Found Guilty In Hammer Attack CasePITTSBURGH -- A Pittsburgh area teenager was sentenced to at least three months in a juvenile detention center in New Castle for trying to kill his ex-girlfriend with a hammer.<br /><br />Tuesday, a hearing was held to decide if the teen should be moved to a different facility.<br /><br />A judge in August found Robertino DeAngelis, 17, guilty in a case where he intended to kill Sarah DeIuliis in the October 2007 attack in Mount Lebanon.<br /><br />DeAngelis was incarcerated after a doctor found DeAngelis has a pattern of "narcissistic and histrionic character traits."<br /><br />DeAngelis' attorney argued DeAngelis hit the girl with his fists, not a hammer, and didn't intend to kill her. But prosecutors say DeAngelis intended to kill the girl and had a knife, tape and box cutter with him, too.<br /><br />During sentencing, DeAngelis’ mother spoke about the suffering her son has gone through over the past two years, including expensive medical bills and continuing education. DeAngelis has gone through more than 30 surgeries and has been on house arrest because of his medical condition. After the attack, DeAngelis tried to kill himself by throwing himself in front of a trolley, officers said.<br /><br />After sentencing, Deluillis and her mother commented that justice was served<br /><br />DeAngelis is under court jurisdiction until he's 21. How long he stays in detention will depend on an evaluation by the judge in 90 days.<br /><br />http://www.wpxi.com/news/21213633/detail.htmlAUnknownnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4649828269220516631.post-50084462380315190252009-12-31T07:40:00.000-08:002010-01-21T07:41:10.677-08:00Police discover marijuana ‘nursery’ in baby’s bedroom closetA nursery in a Galbreath Street home apparently did double duty.<br /><br />According to New Castle police, not only was it an infant’s bedroom, but it also served as a facility for nurturing marijuana plants.<br /><br />In fact, police referred to the closet in the baby’s room as a “sophisticated indoor marijuana grow operation.”<br /><br />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.<br /><br />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.<br /><br />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.<br /><br />According to the magisterial judge court docket this morning, charges have not been file yet.<br /><br />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.<br /><br />Police said the investigation continues.<br /><br />http://www.ncnewsonline.com/archivesearch/local_story_364094638.htmlUnknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4649828269220516631.post-25632869483359482592009-12-22T07:49:00.000-08:002010-01-21T07:50:10.846-08:00Shenango man indicted on porn chargeA federal grand jury on Tuesday indicted a Shenango Township resident on a charge of possessing child pornography.<br /><br />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.<br /><br />The U.S. Attorney’s Office in Pittsburgh announced the charge yesterday.<br /><br />An undercover investigation by the state police’s Computer Crime Unit led to the charge.<br /><br />An arraignment date for Covert was not provided.<br /><br />http://www.ncnewsonline.com/archivesearch/local_story_353093213.htmlUnknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4649828269220516631.post-43288812578695646142009-12-03T08:04:00.000-08:002010-01-21T08:06:33.761-08:00Incoming DA Can't Try Boy, 12, In Pregnant SlayingNEW 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.<br /><br />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.<br /><br />Lamancusa was elected Lawrence County district attorney in November and takes office on Jan. 4.<br /><br />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.<br /><br />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.<br /><br />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.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4649828269220516631.post-82649024159836122412009-11-30T08:17:00.000-08:002010-01-21T08:18:47.426-08:00Man Jumps Counter At New Castle BankNEW CASTLE, Pa. -- Police responded to a bank robbery at a New Castle Bank on Monday.<br /><br />Officials were called to the scene after a man jumped over the counter at the First Commonwealth Bank on North Liberty Street.<br /><br />The man had fled the bank by the time police arrived at scene.<br /><br />Police said the robber has not been seen since.<br /><br />No one was hurt during the incident. <br /><br />http://www.wpxi.com/news/21765687/detail.htmlUnknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4649828269220516631.post-84404873455568978342009-11-24T07:57:00.000-08:002010-01-21T07:58:33.523-08:00Armed Man Steals Cash From New Castle Dunkin’ DonutsNEW 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.<br /><br />New Castle police said the video shows a man dressed in all black holding a gun.<br /><br />New Castle Police Chief Tom Sansone said the man surprised a female clerk near the store’s Dumpster and demanded money.<br /><br />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.<br /><br />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.<br /><br />“We’re taking this seriously,” said Sansone because a handgun was involved.<br /><br />Police believe the Dunkin’ Donuts bandit may have been involved in a home invasion a few blocks away.<br /><br />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.<br /><br />The invader was looking for money, but got none.<br /><br />Because of the similar circumstances, police believe there is a connection and Sansone said they won’t rule it out yet.<br /><br />http://www.wpxi.com/news/21714147/detail.htmlUnknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4649828269220516631.post-55627492555837944042009-11-20T08:41:00.000-08:002010-01-21T08:42:57.075-08:00Suspected 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.<br /><br />Spring Brunswick, Amanda Miller and Carrie Reed were already behind bars when police discovered what was going on.<br /><br />Police said the group, with the help of a boyfriend on the outside, smuggled heroin into the Lawrence County Jail in New Castle.<br /><br />Police said Ronald Lyons junior is accused of supplying the drugs. He is the boyfriend of one of the inmates.<br /><br />The suspects are all charged with conspiracy and intent to deliver. <br /><br />http://www.wpxi.com/news/21673479/detail.htmlUnknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4649828269220516631.post-70515184315216298292009-11-19T08:39:00.000-08:002010-01-21T08:40:15.002-08:00Police Arrest Inmates On Smuggling ChargesNEW CASTLE, Pa. -- Police busted a drug-smuggling operation in a local jail.<br /><br />Three women, who were already incarcerated were charged with conspiracy and delivery of a controlled substance.<br /><br />The boyfriend of one of the inmates is accused of supplying the drugs.<br /><br />Police said the group was able to sneak heroin inside the Lawrence County Jail in New Castle.<br /><br />The operation was discovered and halted on Nov. 5.<br /><br />http://www.wpxi.com/news/21667286/detail.htmlUnknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4649828269220516631.post-30083273122173533012009-11-16T08:43:00.000-08:002010-01-21T08:44:28.436-08:00Burglar Steals Computers, Stereo From Union Twp. ChurchUNION TOWNSHIP, Pa. -- Police in Lawrence County are searching for a serial church burglar who they said struck again this weekend.<br /><br />Police said someone broke into the Washington Union Alliance Church in Union Township sometime between Friday evening and Saturday morning.<br /><br />Twelve other churches in and around the New Castle Area have been hit since Sept. 8.<br /><br />In this latest crime, computers and stereo equipment were stolen.<br /><br />Electronics have been taken in most of the burglaries.<br /><br />It is the first break-in since Oct. 17.<br /><br />Church trustees said they tried to protect their house of worship, but it wasn't enough.<br /><br />“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.<br /><br />Police said churches in neighboring Mercer County have also been targeted.<br /><br />Officers are asking anyone who sees suspicious activity near a church to call 911.<br /><br />http://www.wpxi.com/news/21632463/detail.htmlUnknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4649828269220516631.post-64410443133690209002009-11-11T08:21:00.000-08:002010-01-21T08:25:50.267-08:00New Castle Man Accused Of Assaulting 13-Year-Old GirlSCOTT TOWNSHIP, Pa. -- A New Castle resident was accused of assaulting a 13-year-old girl on Wednesday.<br /><br />Police said Joshua Sunday, 26, made multiple inappropriate comments and actions against the victim between Oct. 23 and Oct. 29.<br /><br />The incidents happened in Scott Township.<br /><br />Sunday is charged with indecent assault and unlawful contact with a minor.<br /><br />He is currently being held in the Lawrence County Jail. <br /><br />http://www.wpxi.com/news/21587217/detail.htmlUnknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4649828269220516631.post-82754765195044681272009-10-29T08:31:00.000-07:002010-01-21T08:32:12.174-08:00Man Shot On New Castle Sidewalk DiesNEW 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.<br /><br />According to police reports, officers were called to the Harbor Heights housing units in the 700 block of Altman Road.<br /><br />When they arrived, they found Antonio McKnight, of New Castle, shot and lying on the ground.<br /><br />McKnight was transported to Jameson Hospital and then to St. Elizabeth Hospital in Youngstown, Ohio, where he died.<br /><br />Police said the investigation is ongoing and anyone with information should call the New Castle Police Department at 724-656-3587.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4649828269220516631.post-19713807425981103572009-10-29T08:26:00.000-07:002010-01-21T08:27:55.404-08:00Man, 20, Shot To Death In New Castle Housing ComplexNEW CASTLE, Pa. -- A 20-year-old man was found dead in a housing complex in New Castle Wednesday night.<br /><br />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.<br /><br />An autopsy is scheduled for Thursday.<br /><br />So far, no arrests have been made. Anyone with information is asked to contact police. <br /><br />http://www.wpxi.com/news/21463805/detail.htmlUnknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4649828269220516631.post-11407497592682368152009-10-28T07:53:00.000-07:002010-01-21T07:56:15.497-08:008 Arrested For New Castle Arsons, Did It 'For Kicks'Posted: 9:18 am EDT October 27, 2009Updated: 8:44 am EDT October 28, 2009<br /><br />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.<br /><br />Channel 11's Amy Marcinkiewicz has learned New Castle police took into custody seven men and one woman.<br /><br />SLIDESHOW: PLEASE FOLLOW LINK AT BOTTOM OF PAGE<br /><br />Two of the eight people arrested are juveniles.<br /><br />Ruben Suarez, Steven Sheridan, Stephen Threats, Mark Quear, Rachelle Lombardo and Darrell Rice Jr. are all friends, investigators said.<br /><br />All of the suspects are charged with arson.<br /><br />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.<br /><br />Officials said three of those arrested confessed, and the city has cleared 12 of the 34 arsons in New Castle since 2007.<br /><br />The break came within the last month, investigators said. Some 50 interviews turned up three confessions.<br /><br />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.<br /><br />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.<br /><br />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.<br /><br />"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.<br /><br />LIST OF SOLVED ARSONS:<br /><br />11/18/2007 216 Bellview Ave.<br /><br />11/29/2007 812 Croton Ave.<br /><br />5/11/2008 111 N. Crawford Ave.<br /><br />8/25/2008 611 Spruce St.<br /><br />9/4/2008 201 N. Walnut St.<br /><br />9/6/2008 741 Oak St.<br /><br />11/8/2008 723 Chestnut St.<br /><br />11/8/2008 727 Court St.<br /><br />11/8/2008 207 S. Mulberry St.<br /><br />11/8/2008 231 N. Ray St.<br /><br />1/9/2009 120 N. Crawford St.<br /><br />7/12/2009 406 S. Walnut St.<br /><br />http://www.wpxi.com/news/21436600/detail.htmlUnknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4649828269220516631.post-91536962743522229222009-10-06T08:07:00.000-07:002010-01-21T08:08:12.792-08:00Judge Sets Hearing Date For Boy Accused Of Killing His Father's Pregnant FianceeNEW 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.<br /><br />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.<br /><br />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.<br /><br />District Attorney John Bongivengo opposes a defense motion to move the case to juvenile court.<br /><br />Brown is incarcerated at the Edmund L. Thomas Adolescent Detention Center in Erie.<br /><br />http://www.wpxi.com/news/21218728/detail.htmlUnknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4649828269220516631.post-12665327776029022852009-10-02T08:09:00.000-07:002010-01-21T08:10:14.180-08:00Attorneys: Try New Castle Boy, 12, As Juvenile In KillingNEW 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.<br /><br />ordan Brown's attorneys said they'll filed a request to move the case to Lawrence County Juvenile Court sometime next week.<br /><br />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.<br /><br />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.<br /><br />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.<br /><br />http://www.wpxi.com/news/21182115/detail.htmlUnknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4649828269220516631.post-11990883530877581602009-10-01T08:14:00.000-07:002010-01-21T08:15:50.101-08:00Judge: Statements From Murder Suspect, 12, Will StandNEW 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.<br /><br />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.<br /><br />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.<br /><br />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.<br /><br />Brown is charged with homicide as an adult. If convicted, he faces life in prison without parole.<br /><br />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.<br /><br />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.<br /><br />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.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4649828269220516631.post-45321844758376308352009-09-27T17:21:00.000-07:002009-09-27T17:22:11.894-07:00Holiday shutdown likelyFor Thanksgiving, most of Lawrence County's courthouse employees may be getting the week off, without pay.<br /><br />Advertisement<br />And the same thing for Christmas.<br /><br />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.<br />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.<br /><br />"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."<br /><br />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.<br /><br />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.<br /><br />"They essentially said they'll put the decision back in the hands of the commissioners," Vogler said.<br /><br />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.<br /><br />But until earlier this week, Domenick Motto, the county's president judge, had said either move would be unduly disruptive to the court system.<br /><br />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.<br /><br />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.<br /><br />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.<br /><br />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.<br /><br />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.<br /><br />http://ellwoodcityledger.com/site/news.cfm?newsid=20372576&BRD=2724&PAG=461&dept_id=563781&rfi=6Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4649828269220516631.post-62733872776678253282009-09-27T17:18:00.000-07:002009-09-27T17:20:27.359-07:00Anti-government signs are torchedWhen a local man publicly expressed his opinion about the direction the country is going, things got hot.<br /><br />Several homemade anti-government signs displayed on the Slippery Rock Township property of Jeff Wright were destroyed by fire around 10 p.m. Monday.<br /><br />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.<br /><br />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.<br /><br />“He’s probably got some singed eyebrows.”<br /><br />Wright said slogans were painted on 4-by-4-foot sheets of plywood, held up concrete blocks.<br /><br />The Slippery Rock Township fire department and state police were called to the scene. Lt. Doug Humble said state police were investigating the incident.<br /><br />“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.<br /><br />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.<br /><br />Wright believes the current administration is lying to the American people.<br /><br />“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.”<br /><br />Using the Internet, Wright said he began to research people in the administration and those in Congress.<br /><br />“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.<br /><br />“I’m not against anyone personally, but I am against their ideology. This government subverts the Constitution and implements backdoor policies.<br /><br />“Do I just stand silent and let it take its course?”<br /><br />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. <br /><br />Wright said the country is equally divided.<br /><br />“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.<br /><br />“We need to put all the ideology and personal preferences aside and at least agree on the Constitution.”<br /><br />Wright said he doesn’t get upset when he sees signs that supports the current policies, he just disagrees.<br /><br />He plans to replace the signs, but using tin instead of wood.<br /><br />“I’m exercising my First Amendment rights,” Wright said. “But apparently it made somebody mad.” <br /><br />http://www.ncnewsmedia.com/archive/2009/09September/Obama_Guy/story1.htmUnknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4649828269220516631.post-58818180201892583192009-09-24T17:16:00.000-07:002009-09-27T17:17:53.795-07:00Fire destroys vacant two-story house in cityA fire of unknown origin destroyed a two-story, vacant house on New Castle’s West Side Wednesday night.<br /><br />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.<br /><br />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.<br /><br />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.<br /><br />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.<br /><br />http://www.ncnewsmedia.com/archive/2009/Rapid_Response/SEPTEMBER/24/wick_fire/index.htmUnknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4649828269220516631.post-81898713676287466742009-09-18T09:29:00.000-07:002009-09-19T09:35:02.427-07:00Police accuse man in slashingELLWOOD 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.<br /><br />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.<br /><br />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.<br /><br />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.<br /><br />Delposen then tried to get away from the house, but Huddy<br />caught her and pulled her back into the building. At this time, she fell and injured her knee, police said.<br /><br />When she sought refuge in a bathroom, she said, Huddy threatened to kill her, then himself, with the knife.<br /><br />Delposen called a friend, Ryan Goehring, who went to the house, where Huddy confronted him, police said.<br /><br />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.<br /><br />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.<br /><br />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.<br /><br />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.<br /><br />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.<br /><br />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.<br /><br />Huddy was arraigned and placed in the Lawrence County Jail after failing to put up $25,000 bond. <br /><br />http://ellwoodcityledger.com/site/news.cfm?newsid=20371434&BRD=2724&PAG=461&dept_id=563781&rfi=6Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4649828269220516631.post-66158524630570275192009-09-17T09:35:00.000-07:002009-09-19T09:43:47.171-07:00Schools evacuated on threatEric Poole, Ledger Staff<br />09/17/2009<br /><br />ELLWOOD CITY - Lincoln High School and Hartman Elementary School were evacuated Wednesday in response to a threat of violence.<br /><br />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.<br /><br />"We felt it was specific enough to implement our crisis plan," Aloi said.<br /><br />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.<br /><br />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.<br /><br />Those students were overseen by teachers and administrators during the evacuation period.<br /><br />School officials called Ellwood City police and a private security firm that handles calls for the Grove City-based Midwestern Intermediate Unit IV.<br /><br />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.<br /><br />Neither the dog nor the search teams found any bomb, and students went back into classrooms later in the school day.<br /><br />Aloi said the threat mentioned a specific time, which had passed by early Wednesday afternoon.<br /><br />Eric Poole can be reached online at epoole@ellwoodcityledger.com.<br /><br /><br />©Ellwood City Ledger 2009<br /><br />http://ellwoodcityledger.com/site/news.cfm?newsid=20370868&BRD=2724&PAG=461&dept_id=563781&rfi=6Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0