Beaver County District Attorney David Lozier is naming a prime suspect in the five-year-old murder of Rachael DelTondo. DelTondo was fatally shot in May of 2018 in the driveway of her mother’s home. No arrests have been made but now Lozier says that the victim’s former boyfriend, Sheldon Jeter, is the man they are looking at. The D.A. this week says authorities have a strong circumstantial case and are encouraging folks with additional information to come forward. Jeter’s attorney says the D.A.’s office is desperate.
A New Castle man pleaded guilty yesterday to a misdemeanor charge of tampering with physical evidence, in connection with the June 2020 shooting death of Amari Wise. According to the New Castle News, 50 year old Todd Henry could serve a maximum of two years in jail and pay a maximum fine of $5,000 under the state sentencing guidelines. He is accused of power-washing the family’s garage in the 900 block of Adams Street on the city’s East Side where the crime occurred after Wise’s death then helping to dispose of the body. Sentencing is set for September 26th. Henry’s son, 23 year old Conner Henry was convicted in September of voluntary manslaughter and a person not to possess a gun following a bench trial. Henry was sentenced in November to 11 to 30 years in prison with no chance of early parole.
The first of four listening sessions has been held on how the state of Pennsylvania can help its residents age gracefully. Governor Josh Shapiro issued an executive order in May that sets goals for how to maintain “an age and disability-friendly” commonwealth. More than 60 people attended the first meeting Tuesday in Harrisburg. The plan is being administered by the Department of Aging. In earlier planning discussions, workforce issues and tax revenues have been a concern as has finding employees to help care for older residents. The governor’s proposed budget will reportedly help with some of those challenges, including a property tax rent rebate program for seniors.
Three people were flown to the hospital following an accident in Butler County. State Police said the crash took place along route 38 in Oakland Township. No other details have been released.
State officials say a computer hacker might have gained access to the personal information of thousands of Pennsylvania residents. People enrolled in the state’s Child Care Works program are reportedly at risk. Authorities with the state Department of Human Services say they’re reaching out to almost 12-thousand residents whose information might have been compromised in late June.
Beaver County will soon be upgrading traffic signals thanks to several state grants. Last week, Governor Shapiro announced that more than 35-million-dollars was being distributed across 77 municipalities to upgrade traffic signals as part of the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation’s “Green Light Go” program. East Rochester is on the list of municipalities receiving the grants and will be receiving 230-thousand-dollars to upgrade the lights along Ohio River Boulevard at the East Rochester-Monaca Bridge.
State Representative Rob Mercuri is announcing a run for Washington. The Republican military veteran is hoping to flip Pennsylvania’s 17th Congressional District in next year’s election. The seat is currently held by Democrat Chris Deluzio, representing all of Beaver County and some Allegheny County communities
Opening ceremonies will take place today for the 2023 Little League World Series in South Williamsport, Pennsylvania. Twenty national and international teams will be welcomed with the flags of their countries displayed and local dignitaries giving opening remarks at the event at the Little League International Complex. The ceremonial first pitches will be thrown by team members who will be competing against each other over the 11 days of the tournament.
State Representative Joe Ciresi says he plans to introduce legislation that will require state agencies to have actual people take calls from the public, as opposed to being routed through automated voice services. Ciresi says having live representatives will streamline the process so that the public can get their questions answered and access important information without delays.