07-23-2008
Some rough weather moving through the area last night. It forced the National Weather Service to post severe thunderstorm warnings and a tornado warning. Officials say a possible funnel cloud was spotted near Moraine State Park. The storm left some scattered power outages and downed trees but no significant damage was reported.
Police in Sharon now say that a shooting that took place near a playground on the city's south side was gang related. Two 19 year old men, both from Ohio, are being held. One of them is facing attempted homicide charges. At last word police were still searching for a third person in connection with the shooting. No injuries were reported.
A Sharon man is facing terroristic threats and ethnic intimidation charges...this after he allegedly threatened a security guard at Sharon Regional Health System. Police had to use a Taser device to subdue 24 year old Sean Bennett. Police say the incident took place Sunday and was the third call that day that they had to respond to involving Bennett.
Third District Congressman Phil English says he wants to drill...now. English made that comment during a stop in Mercer County. He says he has signed the so-called "Drill Here...Drill Now" pledge that calls on opening up more oil reserves to production. English says getting more domestic oil to market would help ease gas prices.
Authorities in Beaver County are investigating after an elderly man was attacked by another patient at The Medical Center, Beaver. 84 year old Joseph Frank of Rochestor was beaten with a chair and suffered massive head injuries. The attack also left him with a broken jaw, nose and eye socket. He was taken to Allegheny General for treatment. 48 year old Patrick Brown of Beaver Falls is facing a list of charges. No word on a possible motive.
More than 200 marijuana plants have been seized from an Aliquippa home. Police say 27 year old Eric Fortier was running a large-scale growing operation in his home. He had so many plants and equipment in the house that authorities had to declare the house a fire hazard. Authorities discovered the plants after Fortier was arrested during a drug sting in which he reportedly delivered more than 70 plants to a confidential informant.
A Butler County woman accused of killing her newborn child will have to wait a while longer for the start of her trial. The trial for 25 year old Lauren Jones of Sarver was supposed to start Monday but it was continued because she is being held in an out-of-county jail and couldn't be transported to the Butler County Courthouse. No new trial date has been set.
Police in Butler say a 32 year old man is facing charges for allegedly holding a woman hostage. Steven Dittmer was taken into custody shortly after midnight Monday. He is accused of using a kitchen knife to threaten a 22 year old woman. The incident took place at Dittmer's apartment on West Brady Street. He is currently free after posting bond.
