Recent Stories

Police and Fire

February 2, 2022

Lawrence County Man Convicted In Newborn’s Death Dies At Rockview State Prison

NOTE: This article originally published on www.centredaily.com A Lawrence County man detained at Rockview state prison and convicted of conspiring to kill a newborn died Friday, the state Department of Corrections said Monday. Christopher Kennedy, 42, was serving an 18 to 36-year sentence after he was pleaded no contest in June to conspiracy to commit third-degree murder. The plea meant he accepted the conviction, but did not expressly admit he committed the crime. He pleaded guilty to one felony count of involuntary deviate sexual intercourse. Kennedy was found unresponsive in his cell, where prison staff provided life-saving measures until facility…

January 28, 2022

POLICE: Weekly Police Blotter

THEFT: Michael Henry, 40, of Ellwood City is charged with Theft and Receiving Stolen Property after an incident on January 13th. According to a criminal complaint, and at approximately 7:43 a.m., officers were contacted by the manager at Seven-Eleven who stated a male walked into the convenience store and stole a donation jar from the front counter and exited the store. Officers were able to obtain and review surveillance footage that showed the male enter the store, take the donation jar, exit the store and continue on foot into the 600 block of Wampum Avenue. A Seven-Eleven employee identified the…

January 21, 2022

POLICE: Weekly Police Blotter

Lawrence County Man Sentenced for Fentanyl Conspiracy and Fraud PITTSBURGH, PA – A resident of Lawrence County, Pennsylvania, has been sentenced in federal court to time served to be followed by a 6-year term of supervised release on his conviction for distributing fentanyl, conspiring to possess with intent to distribute and distribute fentanyl, and conspiring to commit an offense (mail fraud) against the United States, United States Attorney Cindy K. Chung announced today. United States District Judge Arthur J. Schwab imposed the sentence on Jerell Huddleston, 31. According to information presented to the court, Huddleston conspired to distribute and possess…

January 19, 2022

PA State Police Investigating A Shooting At Clearview Mall Leaving 3 Injured

The Pennsylvania State Police, Troop D, Butler, are investigating a shooting that occurred at the Clearview Mall, Center Township, Butler County on Wednesday, January 18th, 2022. Over 20-gun shots were fired in the mall parking lot and multiple persons were struck with bullets and taken to a Pittsburgh hospital for their injuries. The persons injured in this altercation were identified as Damian BLYSTONE (W/N M 19 YOA), Ryan EHRMAN (W/N M, 21 YOA) and a 17-year-old B/N M. Carlos GONZALEZ-CARRIL (W/H M, 24 YOA) was identified as one of the persons who fired shots in the parking lot and was…

January 14, 2022

POLICE: Weekly Police Blotter

MOTOR VEHICLE ACCIDENT: New Castle Police were dispatched to a motor vehicle accident on January 8th on West Lawrence Avenue in Wayne Township. A 2019 Chevrolet Malibu was traveling too fast downhill and swerved to miss an animal and then left the north side of the roadway. After leaving the roadway, the vehicle struck the left front end of a parked and unoccupied 2004 Ford F250. The Chevrolet came to a final rest on the north berm of West Lawrence Avenue. DUI: On Decmeber 1st, Jori Wilson, 39, of Ellwood City, was charged with Driving Under The Influence. Officers conducted…

January 11, 2022

Ellwood City Borough Looking For New Patrolman

Applications are being accepted for the position of full time Borough of Ellwood City Patrolman. An application is required to be completed and submitted with a non-refundable fee of $35.00 to the Borough of Ellwood City, c/o Borough Secretary at 525 Lawrence Avenue, Ellwood City, PA, 16117. All applications must be submitted by Friday, February 4th, 2022. All applicants must be 21 years of age or older, have a valid Pennsylvania driver’s license, possess an accredited high school diploma or GED equivalent, and be certified by MPOETC Act 120 training. Each applicant is to be medically and physically fit for…

December 31, 2021

POLICE: Weekly Police Blotter

MISSING PERSON: Pennsylvania State Police received reports of a missing person on December 29, 2021. It is reported Lauren Cortez, 32, of New Castle, had left her residence with a known male on December 28th at approximately 4:45 p.m. and last spoke with her parents at 7:35 p.m. relating she was traveling to College Hill in Beaver Falls with the known male and two unknown males. No contact with Cortez has been made since. Cortez is a white female, 5’1″ and 125 lbs with red or auburn hair, and green eyes. She was last seen wearing gray leggings, gray Echo…

December 27, 2021

Ellwood City Fire Chief Completes Top Tier Training

“When I am called to duty, God, whenever flames may rage; Give me the strength to save some life, whatever be its age.” From a Firefighter’s Prayer Rick Meyers knows a little bit about raging flames and saving lives. One of those lives stands out in his mind. It was a patient that his department performed CPR on, and her heart had to be defibrillated to resume beats. Every year after on the date her life was saved, the woman stopped to eat lunch with the firefighters. One of those years, she exclaimed that if she didn’t survive, the firefighters…

December 21, 2021

Ellwood City Police Department Receives New Weapons

On December 14th, 2021, the Ellwood City Police Department put into service 5 new shotguns and 5 new AR-15 patrol rifles. The guns were purchased with funds from Drug Seizure Money. These new and improved weapons have replaced weapons that were 25 years old. The new weapons will help the Officers better protect and serve the community. Picture left to right – Officer James Cunningham, holding one of the new shotguns, Sgt. Michael McBride, Officer in Charge of ECPD, Mayor Anthony J. Court, and Officer Rob Magnifico, Department firearms instructor.

December 17, 2021

POLICE: Weekly Police Blotter

TERRORISTIC THREATS: On December 1st, 2021, the New Castle Patrol Unit was dispatched to Mohawk School Road in North Beaver Township. Te incident occurred as the victim and the suspect were engaging in communication via social media SnapChat. During the communication, the suspect requested illicit photos from the victim during which he threatened her for them. The victim adhered to the suspects request and sent the illicit photos. This investigation is ongoing. BURGLARY: New Castle Patrol Unit was dispatched to West State Road in Mahoning Township, Lawrence County after a call about a burglary. A leather Michael Cromer Munich back…