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