Police and Fire

POLICE: Weekly Police Blotter

HARASSMENT: On March 28th at approximately 11:45p.m. police were dispatched to Trusel Road for a report of a domestic dispute in progress. The victim, 28, F, of Portersville advised she had been shoved during the verbal argument with 21, M, of New Castle. Both parties were separated and charges will be filed according toa criminal complaint. CRIMINAL MISCHIEF: Christopher Dalessandro, 35, of Ellwood City is charged with criminal mischief after an incident occurring on December 28th at approximately 8:17p.m. Police were notified by the victim and the victims neighbor that a man was vandalizing his property on Van Gorder Mill…


Drugs Seized In Ellwood City House Raid On Tuesday

HIDTA Operation – Complaint House 10/1/55 On Tuesday April 7th, members of the Lawrence County HIDTA Drug Task Force with the assistance of the Drug Enforcement Administration Group 66 executed a search warrant on the residence located at 435 Wampum Avenue, Ellwood City, Pennsylvania. Upon making entry into the residence, the suspect, Daniel Norton, was located and detained. Norton was taken into custody on an active Lawrence County Bench Warrant. He was later transported and lodged in the Lawrence County Jail as a result of the bench warrant. During a subsequent search of the residence, the following evidence was seized…


Ellwood City House Shooting Suspects Charged, Identified

Three men are charged with five counts of criminal attempt at criminal homicide, aggravated assault with a firearm and recklessly endangering other persons, and one count each of persons not to possess a firearm and discharging a gun into an occupied structure after an incident on Beaver Avenue early Saturday in Ellwood City. Terry Janiel, 20, Daniel Dourlain Jr., 20, and Joseph Beighley, 23, all of Ellwood City are charged according to criminal complaints filed against each individual. According to the complaint, Beighley received a request for a ride from Janiel just after midnight and that Janiel told him they…


New Mexico Suspect Pleads Guilty To 2023 Murder

Keegan Tyler Willis-King, 25, of New Mexico, accused of shooting and killing a woman and injuring her daughter in 2023 pleaded guilty but mentally ill on Thursday. Willis-King was sentenced to 15-30 years of confinement for the murder charge and 5-10 years for the aggravated assault charge according to court documents. Investigators said he shot Cassidy Smith, his girlfriend at the time, and killed her 42-year-old mother, Krista Knechtel, in an apartment on First Street in Ellwood City in January 2023. Police said Willis-King came out of an apartment building with a gun before being taken into custody. The shooting…


POLICE: Weekly Police Blotter

ACCIDENT: Two drivers were transported to the hospital with minor injuries Saturday after a police SUV struck a car. The crash happened about 1:50 a.m. at the intersection of Lawrence Avenue and 7th Street in Ellwood City. According to the report, the driver failed to yield to traffic as he entered the intersection, where a red blinking light was activated. The report added that the police SUV had activated its siren and emergency lights before entering the intersection while a yellow blinking light was in effect. The police SUV struck the car, causing it to spin out into a building….


POLICE: Weekly Police Blotter

TERRORISTIC THREATS: Lorenzo Wells, 57, of Wayne Township, is charged with Simple Assault and Terroristic Threats after an incident on March 2nd. According to a criminal complaint, after a domestic dispute Wells threw a 58-year-old female victim to the ground, soaked her in gasoline, and threatened to set her on fire. The report relates that Wells screamed Greenwalt’s cancer medication had been making her “crazy” just before he allegedly doused her with gasoline and shouted that he was going to “burn her up.” The victim managed to get out of the house and call 911 but Wells left before police…


Ellwood City Volunteer Fire Department to Host “Felix and Fingers Dueling Pianos” Fundraiser

The Ellwood City Volunteer Fire Department is turning up the heat for a great cause with an exciting night of live entertainment, raffles, and fun at its upcoming “Felix and Fingers Dueling Pianos” fundraiser. The event will take place on Saturday, March 14, 2026, at the Sons of Italy, 808 Lawrence Avenue, Ellwood City, PA. Doors open at 6:00 p.m., and the show begins at 7:00 p.m. Guests will enjoy an interactive, high-energy dueling piano performance by Felix and Fingers, known for their crowd participation and wide-ranging musical repertoire. The evening will also feature raffles, appetizers, and a cash bar,…


POLICE: Weekly Police Blotter

NARCOTICS AND FIREARM CHARGES: Daniel Feliciano, 49, pleaded guilty to six counts of violating federal narcotics and firearm laws on February 12, 2026. In connection with the guilty plea, the Court was advised that, between October 2022 and March 2024, Feliciano conspired with others to distribute cocaine throughout Western Pennsylvania, specifically in the New Castle area. In addition to the conspiracy charge, Feliciano pleaded guilty to distributing and/or possessing with intent to distribute quantities of cocaine on three different dates, as well as possessing a firearm as a convicted felon and in furtherance of his drug trafficking crimes. On March…


Bernstine Announces State Grants for Fire, EMS Services in Butler, Lawrence Counties

BUTLER/LAWRENCE COUNTIES – Rep. Aaron Bernstine (R-Butler/Lawrence) today announced fire and emergency response organizations throughout the 8th Legislative District have been awarded nearly $244,000 in grants from the state. “Our volunteer fire departments and EMS providers are essential to keeping our communities safe,” said Bernstine. “These grants will help ensure first responders in Butler and Lawrence counties have the equipment, training and resources they need to continue protecting our families and neighborhoods. This will deliver real results at the local level by strengthening emergency response capabilities without raising taxes on hardworking families.” The funding comes from an ongoing grant program…


PUBLIC SAFETY NOTICE: Lock Your Vehicle, Shovel Your Sidewalks

The Ellwood City Police and Fire Departments have each issued public safety notices related to the winter weather, snow, and safety of our community. A Message from Ellwood City Police Department and Sgt. Michael McBride: To the residents of Ellwood City and Ellport: With the warmer weather approaching, we want to remind everyone to please keep your vehicle doors locked and remove any valuables from sight. We have recently received reports of vehicles being entered and items being taken. Most of these incidents involve unlocked cars, making them easy targets. A simple step like locking your doors can greatly reduce…