The Tri-County Report for July 29th, 2010...
It is a news story many people predicted was coming but nobody wanted to hear. Centaur Incorporated has asked the state Harness Racing Commission for another two year extension for the track in Lawrence County. The track was supposed to be up and running by 2008 but the company needed an extra two years. Now Centaur is asking for yet another extension as it works to shore up its finances. The request could come up for discussion as early as tomorrow.
A former state lawmaker will go to trial on drug charges after waiving his right to a preliminary hearing in Lawrence County. Frank LaGrotta is charged with acquiring a controlled substance by misrepresentation, forgery and possessing a controlled substance. Police said he altered anti-depressant prescriptions at least two times earlier this year in Ellwood City. The 51-year-old LaGrotta represented the 10th District in the state House of Representatives from 1987 to 2006.
Fourth District Congressman Jason Altmire is has a busy day ahead of him. He is scheduled to chair a hearing looking into those fees merchants pay when you use your debit card at their businesses. Interchange fees, also known as swipe fees, have drawn the wrath of small business owners who say the fees are cutting into their profit margins. Banks and credit unions say the fees are a necessart cost of business.
State police in Mercer County say a Franklin woman had to be flown to Saint Elizabeth's in Youngstown after a one car accident in Worth Township. 30 year old Angel Spencer was traveling on state Route 956 when she lost control of her car and failed to negotiate a curve. The vehicle rolled over and the roof struck a utility pole. Her condition was not immediately available.
A 24 year old Sharon man has been ordered to serve one-and-a-half to three years in prison for his role in a recent fatal shooting. Christopher Swogger received that punishment for having a firearm without a license. The victim, 18 year old John Hosey the Third, was gunned down on November 6th in what police called a botched drug deal.
A jury in Beaver County continues to hear from witnesses in the trial of 34 year old Benjamin Dennerlein. Prosecutors claim Dennerlein killed Elizabeth Grosskopf in her Freedom home in May of 2009. The district attorney's office has already said it plans to call 44 witnesses. Dennerlein's attorney says his client is a troubled man but is not a murdered...and says the evidence in the case is circumstantial.
A Beaver County police chief is suing AT&T for releasing his phone records to his snooping wife. According to the suit, Industry Police Chief Garold Ray Miller said his wife called AT&T and had representatives conduct a number search on his phone. Miller said his wife was suspicious because he denied that he had been calling another woman to talk about an ongoing criminal investigation. Miller is seeking over 25-thousand-dollars in damages.
Tomorrow is the last day for New Castle residents to rid themselves of unwanted appliances. The city's annual clean-up is winding down. Anyone wanting to get rid of old washers, dryers, stoves and other large appliances must purchase a tag from the mayor's office and take the item to the public work's compound on Eastbrook Road. There is a limit of three tags per household and they cost ten dollars each. Again...tomorrow is the last day to do that.
State police in Mercer County are looking for information after a high speed chase on Interstate 80. Police say they attempted to stop a vehicle seen speeding through Lackawannock Township. The driver refused to pull over and led police on a high speed chase through eight other municipalities. The chase ended in Warren, Ohio. That is when the man jumped out of the car and fled on foot. No description was released. The vehicle was reported stole out of Niles.
Authorities in Butler County say they are looking for a West Sunbury woman wanted on theft and other charges. 39 year old Georgette Fleeger is accused of stealing four checks from a man and cashing three of them after forging the man's name. The alleged crime took place early this month and the victim says he confronted Fleeger about the theft on Monday. She promised to reimburse the man but hasn't been seen since. Anyone with information on her whereabouts should call police.
