Recent Stories

Police and Fire

August 31, 2017

Police Reports: Gun Found in 2nd Street Business’s Dumpster

Gun Found in 2nd Street Business’s Dumpster According to the police report, on August 28 Ellwood City officers were dispatched to a business on 2nd Street after receiving a call about a gun being discovered in the business’s dumpster. While taking out the trash, two employees noticed a black semi-automatic handgun discarded in the dumpster. They checked the gun to make sure it was not loaded and no magazines were found. The gun had the serial numbers scratched off. One of the employees stated the gun couldn’t have been there more than a couple days because he would have noticed…

August 30, 2017

Hartman Students Evacuate School for Fire Alarm

This morning the students of Hartman were evacuated from the school after a fire scare. According to the Ellwood City Area School District, it was a false alarm caused by the roof project taking place at the school. Firefighters inspected the school and gave the all-clear for students to safely go back in. The roof project is now going to be shut down during the day to avoid further similar issues.

August 28, 2017

Ellwood City Man Smashes Front Window of Main Street Bar & Grill

Ellwood City Man Smashes Front Window of Main Street Bar & Grill According to the criminal complaint, earlier this month police were called for a disturbance near the rear parking lot of Main Street Bar & Grill. Michael David Pounds, 28, of Ellwood City, was among several people involved in an altercation, he appeared intoxicated, had a bloody lip and head, and had a large lump on his left cheek. He was yelling racial slurs and told police an African American male had pulled a gun on him and left. Pounds and several others were leaving whenever he decided to…

August 25, 2017

Ellwood City Joins KidCents Program

Because of the Opioid addiction and overdose deaths impacting every population in the United States throughout all communities and having no boundaries, racial or economic, Lt. David Kingston of Ellwood City Police Department has joined forces with the Rite Aid Foundation/KidCents Program to do Ellwood City’s part in helping to stop this epidemic. Many Law Enforcement agencies, including ECPD participate in the national DEA Drug Take Back Program for residents to dispose of their unused or expired prescription medications. Though the program is great, people wonder what they can do with their unused and/or expired prescriptions until the next Take…

August 23, 2017

Portersville Man Charged with DUI After Hitting School Bus

According to the criminal complaint, on August 4 a Pennsylvania State Trooper was dispatched to a two vehicle crash on State Route 488. Upon arrival it was determined Jason Scott Sunday, 41, of Portersville had crossed into oncoming traffic striking a school bus. The officer detected an alcoholic odor emitting from his persons, to which Sunday denied but admitted to being on Suboxone at the time of the crash. After completing a drug influence evaluation it was determined Sunday was under the influence of both drugs and alcohol and will be facing charges of driving under the influence of both…

August 18, 2017

Father Charged with Child Endangerment After Incident Involving Marijuana

A 21-year-old father is facing charges of endangering the welfare of children, along with a charge of a DUI, possession of controlled substance and possession of an offensive weapon after an incident that occurred on July 22. According to the criminal complaint, an Ellwood City police officer was patrolling the Ewing Park area after it was closed for the night, noticing a vehicle traveling towards the back of the park near the gates that were already secured. The officer activated the flood lights and pulled up beside the vehicle, rolling down the window to speak with the driver. Immediately the…

August 16, 2017

Ellwood Woman Hired to Help Around House Suspected of Stealing Medication

Adriana Michelle Contreras, 33, of Ellwood City is facing charges of theft by unlawful taking and receiving stolen property after an incident on July 20. According to the criminal complaint, an Ellwood City resident called to report a suspected theft. The victim stated his wife had a condition for which they had personally hired a Contreras to help around the house. The victim stated he suspected Contreras was stealing pills from his Adderall prescription and that since the prior week he had noticed several of the pills missing. The victim then stated that on the day of calling to report the…

August 15, 2017

Ellwood Resident Facing Charges for Growing Marijuana Plants in Backyard

Kylee Nikole Hooks, 28, of Franklin Avenue, is facing a felony charge of delivery of a controlled substance and misdemeanor charge of violation of controlled substance after police found marijuana plants growing in her backyard. According to the criminal complaint, on June 26, police were given an anonymous tip of suspected marijuana plants growing in the back yard of Hooks’s residence. Officers made contact with Hooks and asked if she had any marijuana plants being manufactured on her property, to which she admitted and led the officers to where the plants were being grown; an area of the yard out…

August 14, 2017

Police Seek Identity of Woman Struck and Killed in Mahoning Township

According to WFMJ, police are seeking the identity of a woman who was struck and killed in Mahoning Township last night around 11:30p.m. Police say the woman was walking along the eastbound lane just east of Edinburg Road when she was struck by a jeep driven by a 20-year-old New Castle woman. The victim is described as a white female in her early to mid-30’s, with straight, red, shoulder-length hair. She was wearing a black shirt, blue jeans and black shoes with white soles. State Police ask anyone with information to call them at 724-598-2211. UPDATE 8/15: The woman was…

August 10, 2017

VIDEO: Walmart Sexual Assaulter Appears in Court

Adam Tatusko, the 32-year-old who was accused of sexually assaulting a young boy in the Chippewa Walmart bathroom appeared in court last Thursday. According to other news sources, Tatusko has intellectual disabilities and was accompanied to the Chippewa Walmart and McDonald’s, where he tried to grab another young boy, by a caretaker from a private agency. He was allowed to go to the bathroom by himself. It is unclear at this time what the exact intellectual disabilities are. “The Beaver County District Attorney’s Office told WPXI’s Amy Marcinkiewicz that he does not comment on mental health issues, but that the…