Driveway Assault
Meadville – A man has been charged with assault and harassment after allegedly attacking another man who was there to pick someone up. Police say that a 28-year-old man arrived at the driveway of a home near Tamarack Lake to pick up his brother and his brother’s girlfriend, but was verbally and physically attacked by 68-year-old George Flowers when he got out of his car. Flowers, the owner of the property, allegedly hit the victim about a dozen times with his fists leaving bruises and marks on the younger man who retreated from the scene before calling police.
Senate Race Recount
Harrisburg – Pennsylvania’s Senate race has triggered a recount, meaning that the results can still not be called more than a week after the election. Secretary of the Commonwealth, Al Schmidt announced the recount is due to Pennsylvania law which triggers an automatic recount if the difference between candidates is less than 0.5% of the votes; in the initial count, Dave McCormick held only a 0.43% margin. In a contest where almost 7 million votes were cast the difference between candidates came to around 25,000 votes.
Police: 70-year-old Man Growing Marijuana
Emnlenton – 70-year-old Ralph Mong of Emlenton has been charged with manufacturing with the intent to deliver a controlled substance after the discovery of what the State Police are calling a marijuana grow operation. The State Police based in Franklin reports that on October 17th they served a warrant against Mong to search his property based on information from the Game Commission. Court records indicate that Mong has been released from custody after posting $7,500 for bail.
Priest Pleads Guilty to Theft
Cannonsburg – In State News, an Orthodox Priest has pleaded guilty to the theft of hundreds of donations made to his church. George Athanasiou of Washington County pleaded guilty to several felonies related to the theft of hundreds of personal checks made to the All Saints Greek Orthodox Church in Cannonsburg Pennsylvania. Athanasiou admitted to taking the checks for himself, endorsing, and cashing them into his personal bank accounts over 200 times. As part of his plea, the priest has agreed to repay $155,000 in restitution; his criminal sentencing is scheduled for next year.
Crash Injures Three
Prospect – Three women were injured during a two-car collision in Prospect. According to crash scene investigators, a 50-year-old, 73-year-old, and 74-year-old woman were taken to Butler Memorial Hospital after a near head-on crash when one of the drivers was pulling out of the Fairgrounds Market on New Castle Road. They report that the passenger side of the incoming car clipped the driver’s side of the vehicle that was attempting to enter the highway causing both cars to spin out of control and deploy their airbags.