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Police and Fire

February 10, 2021

POLICE: Beaver Woman Charged With Sexual Assault Of Darlington Minor

According to a Pennsylvania State Police Public Information Release Report, a four month investigation has put a Beaver woman in jail. On February 8th, the Beaver Criminal Investigation Unit responded to a residence in Darlington Township to investigate an alleged sexual assault incident. Upon investigation, it was determined that Janine Young, 37, had sexual intercourse with a 15-year-old male juvenile victim numerous times.  The report cites the date(s) of incident ranging from 10/1/2020 to 2/8/2021. Young was taken into custody and lodged at the Beaver County Jail for Statutory Sexual Assault, Indecent Assault, Corruption of Minors, and Unlawful Contact with…

February 4, 2021

POLICE: Vehicle Accident On Lawrence Avenue Causes Damages

According to an Ellwood City Police Department report, and on Wednesday, February 3rd at approximately 11:00 p.m., a vehicle accident on Lawrence Avenue caused damages outside of a local restaurant establishment. Ellwood City Police were dispatched to 708 Lawrence Avenue at Mike’s Main Street for a motor vehicle accident. LEOC advised that a vehicle had struck the building. Upon arrival, police located the operator of a 2020 Ford Transit Van who was identified as Donald Frelin II, 31, of Ellwood City. Frelin and his fiance, Dustie White, were in the back of the van with their 1-year-old son. Frelin and…

February 3, 2021

Animal Cruelty Investigation Case In Lawrence County

According to a Pennsylvania State Police Troop D Press Release, an animal cruelty investigation report was file in Washington Township, Lawrence County last week. According to the report, and on Saturday, January 23, 2021 at approximately 3:30 p.m., PA State Police assisted Lawrence County Humane Officer and responded to 535 Rabbit Haven Lane, just northeast of New Castle, in reference to an Animal cruelty complaint. The residence was reported to be a single wide mobile home sitting on a basement. The initial investigation determined that the residence was deplorable, holding numerous dogs and other animals in unsanitary conditions inside and…

February 3, 2021

Toys For Tots Fundraiser A Success Among Borough Departments

With the pandemic taking away so much from children this year, the Borough of Ellwood City wanted to help make sure Christmas was not on the list. The borough held a Toys for Tots challenge among their departments over the holidays and generosity kicked into high gear. Randy Gatto, Public Works Director, and Rhiannon Schnell, Public Works Secretary, organized the drive that started in early November.  Schnell had previous experiences with Toys for Tots campaigns when she previously worked at McElwains and was happy to start something within the Borough. “The Borough of Ellwood City has the best group of…

January 27, 2021

Bernstine Bill on Parole Process for Violent Offenders Passes House Committee

HARRISBURG – Rep. Aaron Bernstine (R-Beaver/Butler/Lawrence) announced today that his legislation which focuses on the parole process for violent offenders in the wake of the 2019 murder of a child in Lawrence County, passed the House Judiciary Committee. Markie’s Law was named after Mark Mason, an 8-year-old boy who was brutally stabbed to death by a man who was paroled at the end of his minimum sentence for homicide, even after committing two separate assaults of other inmates while behind bars. “I applaud the House Judiciary Committee for approving this legislation,” said Bernstine. “Markie’s Law bill must get over the…

January 26, 2021

Convicted Beaver County Drug Dealer Pleads Guilty to Federal Cocaine Trafficking Charge

PITTSBURGH – Harold Novick pled guilty to conspiring to distribute cocaine between 2017 and 2019, United States Attorney Scott W. Brady announced today. Novick, age 40, formerly a resident of Beaver County, pleaded guilty before United States District Judge J. Nicholas Ranjan. Judge Ranjan scheduled sentencing to occur on May 24, 2021, at 10:00 a.m. Novick was on state parole for a prior cocaine-trafficking conviction when he committed the additional drug-trafficking crime to which he pled guilty. The law provides for a sentence of up to 30 years in prison and a fine of up to $2,000,000. Under the Federal…

January 15, 2021

Portersville Man Sentenced for Role in Drug Trafficking Conspiracy

PITTSBURGH – A resident of Portersville, PA, has been sentenced in federal court to time served followed by three years’ supervised release on his convictions of conspiracy to distribute crack cocaine, conspiracy to distribute heroin, and conspiracy to distribute cocaine, United States Attorney Scott W. Brady announced on Thursday. Senior United States District Judge Arthur J. Schwab imposed the sentence on Ray Chrzanowski, age 53. According to information presented to the court, in 2017, the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Drug Enforcement Administration initiated a wiretap investigation, primarily targeting the GBK street gang and drug trafficking in and around…

January 5, 2021

Bernstine Announces Funding for Police Body Cameras In New Brighton Borough

NEW BRIGHTON – Rep. Aaron Bernstine (R-Beaver/Lawrence/Butler) today announced that New Brighton Borough will receive $15,610 in funding from a federal program that offers grants to purchase camera systems, data storage and other costs relating to implementation or expansion of body-worn camera (BWC) systems for law enforcement and corrections institutions in Pennsylvania. The BWC Policy and Implementation Program to Support Law Enforcement Agencies program supports agencies seeking to establish or expand BWC programs and have specified plans to implement this technology in a manner that maximizes the benefits of BWCs. “I’m pleased we are able to bring home the funds…

December 15, 2020

‘Operation Naughty List’ Nets Drug/Weapon Seizure in Lawrence County

According to a social media post by the Lawrence County District Attorney’s Office, ‘Operation Naughty List’ has netted a large drug/weapon seizure in Lawrence County. According to the post, and in the early morning hours of Monday, December 14, 2020, members of the Lawrence County District Attorney’s Office Special Investigations Unit, New Castle City Narcotics, Union Township Police Department and New Castle City CIRT executed a sealed search warrant at 131 Park Avenue in the city of New Castle leading to the seizure of large sums of money and drugs hidden throughout the house in vacuum sealed packages. Detectives seized…

December 7, 2020

POLICE REPORTS: Criminal Complaints

The following are police criminal complaints filed at the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania Lawrence County office of Honorable Jerry G. Cartwright. Krista Knechtel, 40, of Ellwood City, is charged with Retail Theft after police were called to Dollar General on Wednesday, November 4. Upon arrival, police were advised by the store clerk and later identified Knechtel leading to police finding two packs of beef jerky, a pack of Kraft Cheese, a candle, a chocolate bar, and a pack of makeup totaling $20.51 in her purse.  Knechtel was released and charges will be filed upon criminal history check. Store clerk will review…