Police and Fire

POLICE: Weekly Police Blotter

RETAIL THEFT: Mark Butler, 24, of Ellwood City, is charged with Retail Theft and Resisting Arrest after an incident on October 4th. According to the criminal complaint, and at approximately 11:45 p.m., Ellwood City Police responded to the Ellwood City Seven-Eleven for a reported theft. The store clerk told officers a male with dread locks had stolen a pack of cigars and was seen walking east on Wampum Avenue. Officers later located the male fitting the description and attempted to stop the man later identified as Butler. Butler would not listen and continued walking and yelling at officers. When officers…


Fire Department to Start Advanced Life Support Program with Ellwood City Community Health Foundation Funding, Council Support

The Ellwood City Community Health Foundation presented the Ellwood City Fire Department a check for $175,000 during Monday’s council meeting. Council voted unanimously to advertise an ordinance creating an Advanced Life Support Program, as well as an agreement that the program will be partially funded by the Health Foundation’s funding. In an additional move to staff the program and provide services to the residents of Ellwood City, council established the wage for part-time paramedics and a full-time paramedic captain as $20 per hour. Dan Yoder was promoted from part-time firefighter to full-time paramedic captain. Brandon Magnifico and Jeff Magnifico were…


Three Lawrence County Men Among Seven Charged With Drug Trafficking Conspiracy

PITTSBURGH – Eliot Gentry, Daivahn Brown, Donald Jeter, William McCree, Teqwan Scott, Donald Snowden, and Kailin Stewart have been indicted by a federal grand jury in Pittsburgh for narcotics trafficking, United States Attorney Cindy K. Chung announced today. The Indictment, returned on Oct. 11 and yesterday, charges the seven defendants with conspiring to possess with intent to distribute and distribute at least 100 grams of fluorofentanyl, 40 grams of fentanyl, five kilograms of cocaine, 28 grams of cocaine base, and a quantity of methamphetamine, from May 2021 to October 2022. Gentry, age 25; McCree, age 19; and Scott, age 28…


POLICE: Weekly Police Blotter

HARASSMENT: On September 24, at approximately 6:43 p.m., PA State Police were dispatched to a known address on Beaver Street, Wampum Borough, for a reported domestic disturbance. Upon arrival, both parties involved, Sharon Norris, 43, and Justin Norris, 45, were separated. One individual was treated at the scene for a minor head injury. Further investigation led to both parties receiving charges of harassment and disorderly conduct will be filed through MDJ 53-3-01. SIMPLE ASSAULT: David Carter, 43, of Ellwood City, is charged with Simple Assault and Harassment after an incident on September 28th. According to the criminal complaint, and at…


POLICE: Weekly Police Blotter

ENDANGERING WELFARE OF CHILD: On August 2nd at approximately 5:29 p.m., Ellwood City Police were dispatched to an area of Haig Street and Madison Avenue for a caller reporting a 4-year-old girl by herself sitting in the middle of the road. The caller advised no parents around and when police responded to the scene and spoke with the caller they were advised this is an ongoing issue with the child. Officers made contact with the girl and asked where she lived. The girl took officers to a house on Byng Street where police made contact with Tyler Chickos, 26, the…


Florida Businessman Pleads Guilty in $100M Health Care Fraud Scheme Involving Ellwood City Medical Center

PITTSBURGH – A resident of Fort Lauderdale, Florida, pleaded guilty in federal court to three counts of conspiracy related to the submission of fraudulent health care claims, United States Attorney Cindy K. Chung announced today. Daniel Hurt, 58, pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to commit health care fraud, pay and receive unlawful kickbacks, and commit money laundering, as charged in a criminal Information filed in the Western District of Pennsylvania on July 26, 2022; one count of conspiracy to commit health care fraud, as charged in a criminal Information filed in the District of New Jersey on August…


POLICE: Weekly Police Blotter

ASSAULT: On July 4th at approximately 9:15 p.m, PA State Police investigated the report of a fight between neighbors over fireworks at a residence on Railroad Avenue, Wayne Township. Three suspects have been charged including Mary Cruz, 46, of Youngstown, and a 16-year-old female from Youngstown. DISORDERLY CONDUCT: On August 28th at approximately 6:08 p.m., PA State Police, Shenango Township Police, and Hickory Township Police responded to the false report of a robbery at a residence on Ellwood Road, Slippery Rock Township. Upon investigation, it was determined that a juvenile had texted 911 as a joke. THEFT BY DECEPTION/IMPERSONATION: On…


POLICE: Weekly Police Blotter

CRIMINAL MISCHIEF: On Wednesday, August 24th, at approximately 7:58 p.m., PSP New Castle responded to a reported trespassing on Rim Road, Slippery Rock Township. Upon arrive a 57-year-old Ellwood City female stated that an unknown male and female broke her antique ladder, valued at $800.00, that was hanging from the front porch of the residence. The victim provided trail camera footage which showed a female in a red dress and a male in black shorts and t-shirt on the front porch of the residence. There are currently no suspects. BURGLARY/TRESPASSING: According to a criminal complaint, on June 26th at approximately…


POLICE: Weekly Police Blotter

CRIMINAL MISCHIEF: On August 1st, at approximately 12:05 a.m., PA State Police were dispatched to Freeds Trailer Park, New Beaver Borough, Lawrence County, in reference to criminal mischief. On scene a 38-year-old female, of New Galilee, advised that the neighbor threw an egg at her window. The actor was warned and charges were not filed due to the Victims request. HARASSMENT: On July 1st, at approximately 5:53 p.m., PA State Police responded to the report of Harassment at Freeds Trailer Park, New Beaver Borough, Lawrence County. A 26-year-old female, of New Galilee, stated she was grabbed and pushed by her…


Council Promotes Ellwood City Police Officer to Sergeant

Ellwood City Borough Council voted Monday night to promote Ellwood City Police Officer Rob Magnifico to sergeant. Council had a choice to make in promoting one officer or two. Magnifico along with fellow Officer Matt Kennedy were the choices to fill the position. Councilman Caleb Cragle and Councilwoman Jan Williams voted to promote two officers but were met with opposition from the rest of council. Councilmen James Barry, Brad Ovial, and George Celli and Councilwomen Judith Dici and Michelle Lamenza voted to appoint one officer—Magnifico—to fill the role. Before the vote, Councilman Cragle asked Mayor Anthony Court, who heads the…