Police and Fire

U.S. Attorney Chung Announces HIDTA Designation for Lawrence County

United States Attorney Cindy K. Chung announced this week that Lawrence County has been officially designated as a High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area (HIDTA) by the White House’s Office of National Drug Control Policy. Lawrence joins five other western Pennsylvania counties – Allegheny, Beaver, Washington, Westmoreland, and Erie – in receiving dedicated federal resources to coordinate federal, state, and local governments to fight drug trafficking and abuse. “Lawrence County citizens will benefit significantly from HIDTA designation and the critical resources and support that brings to disrupt and dismantle major drug trafficking organizations,” said U.S. Attorney Chung. “We will use these…


POLICE: Weekly Police Blotter

CRIMINAL MISCHIEF: According to a police report, two unknown white males proceeded to operate a Farmall tractor with a brush hog attachment and mow approximately 1,000 feet of wooded area along private property lines at Del-Mar Golf Course in Wayne Township. The incident was reported to have taken place between the times of June 25th at midnight and June 26th at 9:53 a.m. While police were on scene, trail cameras were reviewed along with a neighbor canvassed none of which yielded with identifying the potential suspects. The investigation is ongoing. CRUELTY TO ANIMALS: Three arrests were made stemming from an…


POLICE: Weekly Police Blotter

CRIMINAL MISCHIEF: An incident as reported that unknown actors(s) attempted to pry open a secured mailbox from the Ellwood Wampum Rod & Gun Club. The incident was reported to have happened between May 1 and June 14, 2022. During the attempt they did not steal any contents from the mailbox however it was damaged, valued at $200.00. No video surveillance cameras were observed on the exterior of the building. As a result no viable suspects can be identified at this time according to the police report. The investigation is ongoing. THEFT: PA State Police investigated reports of theft from a…


POLICE: Weekly Police Blotter

POSSESSION OF CONTROLLED SUBSTANCE: On May 31, 2022 at approximately 1:47 a.m., police were searching an area for a group of males who attempted to break into a vehicle, and observed a blue Chrysler PT Cruiser make an abrupt turn down Petain Street from Jefferson Avenue. According to a criminal complaint, and upon following the vehicle, police observed a rear passenger exit the vehicle and begin to push the vehicle resulting in police initiating a traffic stop. The driver, Kortney May, had a warrant for her arrest and was placed under arrest. The rear passenger, Crystal Lemanski, 36 of Ellwood…


Former Wampum Man Pleads to Violating Federal Drug and Gun Laws

A former Wampum resident pleaded guilty in federal court to violating the federal narcotics and firearms laws, United States Attorney Cindy K. Chung announced this week. Michael Turner, 49, formerly of Wampum, PA, pleaded guilty to conspiracy to distribute five kilograms or more of cocaine and possession of a firearm by a convicted felon before United States District Judge Stephanie L. Haines. In connection with the guilty plea, the court was advised that beginning in 2019, agents with the FBI and other agencies investigated drug trafficking activity in Pittsburgh’s Hill District neighborhood, and elsewhere. As part of that investigation, agents…


ECPD Completes Tactical Entry & Life Saving Measure Training

The Ellwood City Police Department would like to thank Samuel Teolis for allowing the use of a vacant structure to conduct a tactical entry and life saving measure training. On Thursday, June 9th, the Police Department, along with the Ellwood City Fire Department, utilized Mr. Teolis’s vacant structure to complete this training as a team to assist in keeping our tactics fresh. This training was completed in conjunction with the Ellwood City Fire Department, who provided first-hand knowledge in tactical medical assistance and preservation of life skills. The  Police Department would also like to extend our sincere gratitude to Mayor…


POLICE: Weekly Police Blotter

THEFT: Joseph Taylor, 45, of Wampum, is charged with Theft by Unlawful Taking after an incident in March. According to a criminal complaint, police were dispatched to a residence in Wampum Borough for a reported theft and found the victim whom related his neighbor, Taylor, was at his residence preapring his dinner on March 27th at approximately 5:30 p.m. The victim related that upon making dinner that Taylor proceeded to take two cans of vegtables and a pack of prescription medication off the counter. The victim yelled for Taylor to return the items but Taylor had fled the residence. Police…


VIDEO: Rescue Crews Respond To Man Over Hillside In Ellwood City

Rescue crews spent hours overnight searching for a man who reportedly went over a hillside in Lawrence County. A KDKA news video says 34-year-old victim was shot in the chest and was found by first responders. Rescue crews spent hours overnight searching for the man who reportedly went over a hillside on Wampum Avenue.


POLICE: Weekly Police Blotter

DRUG POSSESSION: Deven Brown, 23, of Ellwood City, is charged with Drug Possession after a sobriety checkpoint stop on April 29 on Lawrence Avenue. According to the report, at approximately 10:18 p.m. and while PA State Police were performing the check, a small amount of marijuana and drug paraphernalia was procured from Brown who had driven into the checkpoint in a 2022 Toyota Tacoma. DRUG POSSESSION: Katrina Brewer, 29, of Beaver Falls, is charged with Drug Possession after a sobriety checkpoint stop on April 29 on Lawrence Avenue. According to the report, and at approximately 10:51 p.m. PA State Police…


Ellwood City Community Health Foundation Grants Money to Ellwood City Fire Department

The old Hospital Foundation, now known as The Ellwood City Community Health Association, has donated $57,772.10 to the Ellwood City Volunteer Fire Department to assist with equipment for the QRS (Quick Response Service). The fire department responds to medical emergencies in the borough and stabilizes patients until an EMS unit can get on scene. When the former Ellwood City Hospital was purchased by Americore Holdings in 2017 it became a for-profit entity therefore they were not able to donate money to them any longer, and from 2017-2020 the foundation went through the process to become a separate non-profit entity. The…