Police and Fire

POLICE: Weekly Police Blotter

CRASH: On December 23rd at approximately 5:48p.m. a crash occurred on Ellwood Road. Unit 3 slowed down to pull into their driveway on Ellwood Road and Unit 2 slowed to wait for Unit 3, but was rear-ended by Unit 1, which caused Unit 2 rear-end Unit 3. Unit 1 and 2 sustained severe damage and were unable to be driven from the scene and had to be towed. Operator’s 2 and 3 sustained injuries and were transported via EMS to a nearby hospital. CRASH: On December 22nd at approximately 9:14a.m. a crash occurred on Glenkirk Rd, New Beaver Borough. Unit…


Two Lawrence County Residents Sentenced to Prison for Roles in Puerto Rico-to-Western PA Drug Trafficking Operation

Two residents of New Castle, Pennsylvania, were sentenced in federal court on December 18, 2024, for their convictions of conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute cocaine and related charges, United States Attorney Eric G. Olshan announced last week. The New Castle defendants were among 17 individuals from Lawrence County that included four individuals from Ellwood City that were indicted in March 2024 for violating federal narcotics, firearms, and racketeering laws by conspiring to distribute cocaine throughout Western Pennsylvania and Youngstown (read the Indictment news release here). Senior United States District Judge Arthur J. Schwab imposed the sentences…


POLICE: Weekly Police Blotter

PUBLIC REPRIMAND: An Ellwood City nail salon was fined and given a public reprimand by the Pennsylvania Department of State for what it called grossly incompetent actions. Nails Spa, located in the Northern Star shopping plaza on Route 288 in Franklin Township, was given a $6,600 civil penalty and ordered to stop possessing methyl methacrylate (MMA) and metal credo tools. MMA is a resin commonly used in artificial nail products, dentistry and the production of plastics. Credo tools are used to remove callused skin. The violations were cited in the agency’s latest disciplinary actions. An investigation also said the salon…


Vehicle Stolen From West End Home, Police Searching For Suspect

On Friday, November 22nd at approximately 11:20 p.m. Ellwood City Police officers were dispatched to a motor vehicle accident in the 1200 block of Lawrence Avenue. Upon further investigation it was determined that an unknown actor broke into a residence, took a set of keys to a vehicle then stole the vehicle crashing it into another vehicle then fleeing the scene on foot. Officers further located multiple other vehicles that seemed to be rummaged through in the area. According to the ECPD and its social media post, it is believed that the actor was breaking into multiple vehicles between 10:30…


POLICE: Weekly Police Blotter

THEFT: Tyler Good, 24, of Cranberry Twp is charged with Theft after an incident occurring during the dates of 5/23/24 and 6/30/24. According to a criminal complaint, police spoke to the victim on September 19th at approximately 12:37 p.m. and the victim explained that he contracted Good to replace his retaining wall and that they had come to an agreement to have the wall finished within five days. The victim paid Good $9,400 for materials to begin the job on May 23rd and an additional $3,600 on June 5th after Good would finish. Good had failed to complete the job…


Former Ellwood City Resident Pleads Guilty to Charges Related to the Sexual Exploitation of a Minor

A former resident of Ellwood City pleaded guilty in federal court to charges related to the sexual exploitation of a minor, United States Attorney Eric G. Olshan announced on November 7th. Shayne Clapper, 30, pleaded guilty to five counts before United States District Judge William S. Stickman. In connection with the guilty plea, the court was advised that in January 2023 through February 2023, Clapper initiated a sexual relationship with a minor known to him. Clapper provided the minor with a cell phone that he used to communicate with the minor. Clapper requested and received nude images from the minor….


POLICE: Weekly Police Blotter

PUBLIC INTOXICATION: Blake Zeigler, 21, of Ellwood City is charged with public intoxication after an incident on September 25th. According to a criminal complaint, and at approximately 12:46p.m., police were dispatched to 7-11 and advised that a male was loitering outside asking customers to purchase him tobacco in exchange for cocaine. Officers were aware of this incident. Police then located Zeigler, who was riding a bike, and advised him of the complaint to which Zeigler denied. Police then noticed a smell of alcohol emitting from Zeigler and asked him step off the bike. Zeigler refused and reached for his pocket….


POLICE: Weekly Police Blotter

ASSAULT: Lawrence Morini, 22, of Wampum, is charged with Simple Assault after an incident occurring on September 28th. According to a criminal complaint, and at approximately 10:58 p.m. ECPD Officers were dispatched to a nearby bar for reports of an assault that occurred. When police arrived, ECFD was conducting CPR on the victim and witnesses explained the situation to officers. The owner of the bar was contacted and showed ECPD Police video footage of the incident. According to the complaint the victim had been causing problems at the bar and was asked to leave. When the victim was leaving he…


POLICE: Weekly Police Blotter

THEFT: Paula Schwartz, 39, of Ellwood City, is charged with Theft after an incident reported on September 18th. According to a criminal complaint, and at approximately 3:00 p.m., the owner of Uni-Mart reported a theft that occurred at his business and advised police that his employee, Schwartz, stole money out of the cash drawer and five cartons of cigarettes overnight. Police reviewed surveillance and paperwork from the store that cooperated with the owners report.  Police contact Schwartz at her residence and spoke with Schwartz who related she was dealing with a mental health episode and later admitted to the theft….


Statement Released Regarding Tragedy At Ellwood City Forge

Ellwood City, PA – ELLWOOD City Forge last night experienced an act of violence perpetrated by an intruder that resulted in the death of a team member. All other team members are safe and the facility was secured last night. The facility will remain closed through the weekend. There is an active investigation and we are working with law enforcement officials to fully understand the event. We are not able to provide any further details at this time, nor disclose the name of the victim. “On behalf of the entire ELLWOOD City Forge team, we are shocked and saddened by…