new castle

Public Community Event Tonight Regarding HIRA

The Christian Chamber Commerce of Western Pennsylvania will be holding an open forum tonight to discuss the purchase of the old Youth Development Center in New Castle. The purchase of the former Youth Development Center has many community members, including government officials State Representative Bernstine, State Representative Sainato and Senator Vogel, concerned about the potential owners. Hira Educational Services is a Muslim-based company who claims to aid in Muslim schooling but after reviewing the companies tax records and finance history, local government officials question the companies financial reliability and have asked Governor Tom Wolf to reconsider the sale. The event…


New Castle Approved for Medical Marijuana Growing Facility

Since Pennsylvania approved legislation permitting the sale of medical marijuana, a former factory located in New Castle has been chosen as one of the first 12 medical marijuana grower/processors in Pennsylvania. The 30,000 square-foot former factory located at 911 Industrial Street in New Castle is expected to be operational within six months, and is anticipated to relieve some of the financial distress in the local community and create 100-150 “good-paying” jobs once the operation reaches full potential, the New Castle News site reports. Keith Morgan and Richard Genderson of Holistic Farms located in Haverford, Pennsylvania, are the visionaries behind the…


Disability Options Network to Host Free Workshop

(New Castle, PA) – Disability Options Network will host a free workshop for parents in support of students transitioning from high school to employment on Wednesday, June 28, at Career Link from 9 a.m. to 12 noon. This workshop will cover independent living and self- advocacy and how to get there, using a student’s IEP to get to employment, an overview of the Office of Vocational Rehabilitation (OVR) programs for transition age youth (14 to 21), and a brief look at disability laws. Parents will be able to ask questions throughout the session which will be led by and independent…


The New Castle Playhouse Presents Fool for Love

The New Castle Playhouse presents Sam Shepard’s adult play, Fool for Love. Opening night is tonight at 7:30 and complimentary wine and cheese will be served to opening night ticket holders. More information on the official flyer below:


New Castle Man Accused of Housing Missing 13-Year-Old

According to the criminal complaint, Travis Wade Betker of New Castle will be facing a felony charge of interfering with custody of children, and misdemeanor charges of corruption of minors, obstructing administration of law or other governmental function, and disorderly conduct, following an incident that happened on May 1, 2017. Betker allowed a 13 year-old female to stay at his residence after he had knowledge that she was reported to the police as a missing person. On April 30 around 7:45a.m., officers took a report of a missing/runaway teen who had left the residence during the night. The reporting parent…


PHOTOS: Levi the Giraffe Helps Man Propose to Girlfriend

One of the most popular to-do’s near Ellwood City lies a quaint zoo full of fun for not only kids – but adults too. Living Treasures Wild Animal Park in Moriane offers an up close experience to their guests – the ability to feed and touch many of the exotic animals residing in the park. The zoo is also well known for the loving giraffes that commonly reach their long necks over the fence to greet guests, and in this case, pose with happy couples for their proposal photos. “Every now and then, we get to be a part of…


New Castle Playhouse Auditions

The New Castle Playhouse is holding auditions for an upcoming musical next Monday May 22. Official flyer with additional information below:


Lawrence County Man Facing 50 Counts of Sexual Abuse of Children

Jay W. Flagg, 60, of 319 S. Croton Ave., New Castle, is facing 50 felony counts of sexual abuse of children, one felony count of dissemination of photographs, videotapes, computer depictions, and films, and one felony count of criminal use of communication facility proceeding an incident involving child pornography. According to the criminal complaint filed 3-24-17, on 2-23-16 Flagg was investigated after the Bureau of Criminal Investigation, Computer Crime Unit, forwarded two CyberTip reports indicated that a male suspect in the Lawrence County are had uploaded child pornography to the internet using Google related services in 2015. “The images depict…