Trick-or-treaters make sweet weekend haul

Transcription

New Castle News broadsheet • 2015-0114tc
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Monday
November 2, 2015
Since 1880
Vol. 136 No. 45
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Addiction: Officials, responders define the problem, the stigma
every economic status and
every walk of life.
There is no stereotype. Yet
(First in a continuing series) the perception that all addicts
The scanner call comes in — are bad people still exists.
possible overdose.
The Center for Disease
To anyone listening, it’s bone Control reports 120 overdose
chilling.
deaths per day.
It could be your daughter,
That’s staggering.
son, parent, aunt, nephew, best
When Shenango Township
friend.
resident Dan Bailey hears those
In a given day, there could be scanner calls, “It’s like sticking
several overdoses in Lawrence
a needle in my heart.”
County alone.
Bailey and his wife have
Drug and alcohol addiction
a son, Brandon, who is an
crosses every path. It covers
addict.
By Lugene Pezzuto
New Castle News
“I put myself in their place,”
Bailey said. “Just about everyone knows someone who is an
addict.”
He believes the breakdown
of the family has contributed to
the problem.
There’s also peer pressure.
“People try things such as
addictive drugs because they
want to change how they feel
— from mental pain or spiritual
pain.”
It can start out legitimately
with legal, prescribed pain
medication, Bailey said.
He believes heroin usage is
absolutely a problem in this
area and “each generation, it’s
getting worse.”
Pills have become too expensive, said Stephanie Helle, who
is nearly a year into recovery.
“That’s why people go to
heroin,” Helle said. “You can
get a bag for $10 but sometimes you don’t know what’s
in that bag. You could die from
one bag.”
And for someone trying heroin for the first time, it could
also be his or her last time.
Hardship
spreads
in budget
standoff
HARRISBURG (AP) —
State-subsidized pre-kindergarten
programs are shutting down,
domestic violence shelters are
closing their doors and Pennsylvania’s school districts are begging for more time to pay their
bills — all because of a fourmonth budget stalemate that
shows no signs of ending.
County governments and local
school boards waiting on billions
in state aid are burning through
loans and emptying reserves.
Some social services organizations are shuttering programs
and laying off hundreds of workers who care for the state’s most
vulnerable populations.
Even for Pennsylvania — a
state that’s seen its share of
knockdown, drag-out partisan
fights — this one is particularly
worrisome.
“It’s a bunch of crap, to be
honest with you,” said Kathy
Moyer, who was told her 4-yearold son Jake would attend his
last day of pre-kindergarten
Friday at the Growing Place in
Brodheadsville, before other
nonprofits came to the rescue to
keep it open — for now.
The governor, Tom Wolf, is a
first-term Democrat and former
businessman unaccustomed to
political deal-making who wants
a multibillion-dollar tax increase
to correct a long-term deficit
and narrow a funding disparity
between rich and poor school
districts considered to be among
the nation’s widest.
The Legislature’s large,
entrenched Republican majorities have not budged on a tax
increase. Instead, they have
insisted Wolf agree to end the
traditional state pension benefit
plan and the state-controlled
wine and liquor system, moves
Wolf opposes.
The dispute leaves Pennsylvania as only one of two states
BUDGET, PAGE A5
HARRISBURG — Tami Bisso
amassed $50,000 in debt for a
college degree that, she says,
makes other professionals
laugh.
Bisso, of Souderton, said she
considers her associate’s degree
in photography from the online
DEFINE, PAGE A3
Election Day
tomorrow
Tiffany Wolfe/NEWS
Patrick Arcuri, 18 months, of New Wilmington is more interested in his treats than the werewolf
in the window while trick-or-treating on Mercer Street in New Wilmington.
Trick-or-treaters make
sweet weekend haul
Most Lawrence County communities
observed Halloween trick-or-treat on
Saturday.
In having addition to costumed kids
going door to door in search of candy,
two municipalities had other events to
celebrate the day.
In New Wilmington, the annual
INSIDE ...
Kiwanis Halloween
•See more trickparade followed
or-treaters on the
trick-or-treating,
prowl for candy.
PAGE A2 while in Mahoningtown, businesses
and the Neighborhood Crime watch staged a free special
event in Darlington Park. The celebration included kid-friendly Halloween
shows on a big screen, as well as face
painting, candy give-aways, hot dogs,
hot chocolate and other goodies.
Other Halloween-themed events
around the county Saturday included
Fright Fest at Cascade Park, an author
Contributed photo
talk and zombie walk at the New Castle Public Library and a Halloween tri- Members of the Mahoningtown Crime Watch and
ple feature of silent horror films at the Geno’s employees serve hot dogs and pass out candy
Scottish Rite Cathedral.
to residents of all ages during Saturday’s Halloween
HAUL, PAGE A2
celebration in Mahoningtown.
Lawmakers ratchet pressure on for-profit colleges
By John Finnerty
CNHI News Service
PEOPLE ARE DYING
Heroin is a killer.
Helle knows people who
have died from overdoses.
And the statistics don’t lie.
In Lawrence County, there
program of the Art Institute of
Pittsburgh worthless.
After graduation, she realized
that she was still seeking advice
from fellow photographers who
learned their trade by watching
videos on YouTube.
Then she applied for a job
assisting a wedding photographer.
“He looked at my resume,
and he giggled,” she said.
Bisso, who now tries to make
ends meet by taking family
portraits, said she was anxious as she took classes and
accumulated debt. Counselors
reassured her about the value of
her degree. Photographers make
$70,000 a year, they said, so she
could easily repay her loans.
“I feel like I was lied to the
whole time,” she said.
Bisso’s frustrations are echoed
by others who attended the Art
Institute and similar technical
colleges, and experts say they
are a significant factor in the
country’s sprawling student
debt crisis.
Many students leave the
Tomorrow is Election
Day.
The polls in Lawrence
County and throughout
Pennsylvania will open at
7 a.m. and close at 8 p.m.
Heading the county
ballot is the contest for
Lawrence County Common Pleas Court judge
between District Judge
Melissa A. Amodie and
attorney David H. Acker.
Voters will also elect
three county commissioners. The candidates are
Commissioner Steve Craig
and New Castle Councilman Tim Fulkerson, both
Democrats; Commissioners Dan Vogler and Bob
Del Signore, both Republicans; and Ralph Sheen,
independent.
County row officers will
be elected and voters will
be asked whether they
want to retain President
Judge Dominick Motto
and Judge John W. Hodge
for additional terms on
common pleas court.
Voters will also be
electing officials in the
county’s municipalities,
including New Castle
mayor, township supervisors and borough council
members.
Shenango Area School
District voters will vote
on whether to increase
the district’s debt to build
a new elementary school
and auxiliary gym.
Also on the ballot
are candidates for state
Supreme, Superior and
Commonwealth courts.
OBITUARIES
Anita C. DeCarlo, 84,
New Castle
Charles W. Fischer Sr., 92,
Hillsville
William R. “Billy” Fry, 31,
New Castle
Carol M. Krebs, 80,
New Castle
Mary Ann Walczak, 92,
Rhodes Estates
See Page A5
PRESSURE, PAGE A6
Classified B5-B10 • Puzzles B8 • Horoscope B5 • Community A7-A8 • Comics B4 • Opinion A4 • Sports B1-B3
NEW CASTLE NEWS | New Castle, Pa.
ncnewsonline.com
buyers that heroin is a
warm blanket or will provide your best high, said
Bailey, who along with
From page A1 his wife, Terri, are advocates for drug awareness,
have been 19 confirmed
education, prevention,
overdose deaths in 2015
treatment and recovery.
from Jan. 1 through Oct.
Mildred Boyd, who is a
14, according to Rich
Johnson, Lawrence Coun- certified recovery specialist at Lawrence County
ty deputy coroner.
Drug and Alcohol, and
That compares to 25
has been drug free for
overdose deaths in 2014;
27 in 2013; 13 in 2012; 17 22 years, also noted that
heroin isn’t expensive;
in 2011; and 11 in 2010,
therefore, it’s more readisaid Johnson.
ly accessible.
Those numbers hit
When combined with
close to home for Matt
other substances such as
Russick, 31, of New Castle, who got clean almost fentanyl, it can be deadly,
Bailey pointed out.
two years ago and is a
A highly addictive drug
certified recovery specialknown as “cheese heroin”
ist.
is a blend of black tar
His cousin died from a
Mexican heroin (called
heroin overdose and his
“black tar” because of its
uncle overdosed but was
color) and over-the-countrevived with the use of
er cold medication, such
Narcan.
as Tylenol PM. The drug
The average ages for
costs only a couple of
those overdosing on heroin are 35 to 55, Johnson dollars a hit.
While heroin usage is
said, noting that there
rampant,
that doesn’t
have been cases of people
mean other drugs have
who were younger and
faded from sight.
the oldest one was 62.
What one can get from
New Castle police Chief
grandma’s
medicine cabRobert Salem remarked
at a candlelight vigil held inet often becomes the
next high, noted Julie
in September to bring
Jendrysik, case manageawareness to the drug
ment supervisor at Lawsituation and support
rence County Drug and
to those affected by it,
Alcohol Commission.
that in former years, he
would see heroin overHOSPITAL CALLS
doses two or three times
In 2014, at least 200
a year, Now, heroin or
opioid addiction consists overdose patients were
of 70 to 80 percent of the taken to the emergency
department of Jamespolice caseload.
on Hospital. There has
Salem worked in narnot been an increase
cotics for more than 12
or noticeable decrease,
years and then crack
either, in the amount
cocaine was the drug of
choice in New Castle and of overdose patients
from 2013, said Donna
bigger cities. Users then
Cochran, Jameson emerwent to Oxycontin.
gency department direc“It became the rage
tor.
here,” Salem said.
The increase in 2015 is
Then, doctors were
the amount of overdose
arrested starting in 2003
for dispensing it improp- related patients who are
erly, he explained, adding admitted to the critical
that altogether, four phy- care unit, said Cochran.
About 41 percent of
sicians were arrested for
overdose patients coming
misuse.
through the ER is admit“Heroin was the next
ted; the other 59 percent
stop when they couldn’t
get Oxy,” Salem said. “It is treated and released,
is easier to get and fairly she acknowledged.
“Overdose patients
inexpensive.”
coming into the emergenMeanwhile, the police
cy department present a
force is approaching the
problem very aggressive- medically emergent situation. We are here to manly and trying to go after
age them in their medical
dealers, he pointed out.
crisis.”
“We’ve had some sucShe noted that once
cess but there’s still a lot
the patient is stable, the
of work to do.”
With the use of Narcan emergency team collaborates with doctors,
in some areas — New
patients, social services
Castle is not yet using
it — some lives are being and the behavioral health
services to formulate a
saved.
plan of care to find the
Narcan is Naloxone
and is a medication used right setting — inpatient
or outpatient — for rehato reverse the effects of
bilitation.
opioids, especially in
“Sometimes there can
overdose. When given
be barriers to activating
intravenously, it works
the care plan including
within two minutes and
patient willingness and
when injected into a
cooperation, and insurmuscle, it works within
ance limitations, which
five minutes.
Paramedics and some
fire departments use
Narcan as does the state
police.
Define
DEADLY COMBOS
Bailey perceives heroin
usage to be out of control
and it rips him up seeing
loved ones’ pain.
While Bailey’s son is
currently incarcerated, he
is still alive. Others aren’t
so fortunate.
Drug dealers, motivated by the profits they
make, will say anything
to get someone to buy
drugs, telling potential
Jet broke up at
high altitude
SHARM EL-SHEIKH,
Egypt (AP) — The Russian jetliner that crashed
shortly after takeoff
from an Egyptian resort
city broke up at high
altitude, scattering fragments of wreckage over
a wide area in the Sinai
Peninsula, Russia’s top
aviation official said
Sunday.
Search teams raced to
recover the bodies of the
224 people who died.
Monday, November 2, 2015
A-3
ALCOHOL, DRUG FACTS
•Alcohol is the most commonly
used addictive substance in the United States: 17.6 million people, or one
in every 12 adults, suffer from alcohol abuse or dependence along with
several million more who engage in
risky, binge drinking patterns that
could lead to alcohol problems.
•More than half of all adults have
a family history of alcoholism or
problem drinking, and more than 7
million children live in a household
where at least one parent is dependent on or has abused alcohol.
•88,000 deaths are annually
attributed to excessive alcohol use.
•Alcoholism is the third leading
lifestyle-related cause of death in
the nation.
•Up to 40 percent of all hospital
beds in the United States (except for
those being used by maternity and
intensive care patients) are being
used to treat health conditions that
are related to alcohol consumption
•Over time, excessive alcohol use,
both in the form of heavy drinking or
binge drinking, can lead to numerous
health problems, chronic diseases,
neurological impairments and social
problems, including dementia, stroke
and neuropathy, cardiovascular problems, psychiatric problems including
depression, anxiety and suicide,
family problems, unintentional injuries, increased risk for many kinds of
cancers, liver disease, gastrointestinal problems and alcoholism.
•Addiction is a chronic, often
relapsing brain disease that causes compulsive drug seeking and
use. Many first try drugs out of curiosity, to have a good time, because
friends are doing it or in an effort
to improve athletic performance
or ease another problem, such as
stress, anxiety, or depression.
•It is often mistakenly assumed
that drug abusers lack willpower
and that they could stop using drugs
simply by choosing to change their
behavior. In reality, drug addiction
is a complex disease, and quitting
and is a growing health
care crisis but until it is
viewed as a health care
issue, the stigma will continue to push back and
keep it in the dark or just
AN EPIDEMIC
Addiction is defined by viewed as ‘not my problem,’” said Jendrysik.
the National Institute on
“We live in a society
Drug Abuse as a chronic,
now of bigger, badder,
relapsing brain disease
better, faster. This has
that is characterized by
created a problem in
compulsive drug seeking
terms of drug and alcohol
and use, despite harmful
use and abuse. There is a
consequences. It is conmedication for any issue
sidered a brain disease
because drugs change the or pain that is out there.”
When OxyContin was
brain, its structure and
prescribed regularly for
how it works, the instipain use about 20 years
tute stated.
The numbers keep add- ago, it became out of coning up to what some refer trol, she said.
“There was a big spike
to as an epidemic.
in its use and for many
“The addicted brain
there is a point where
says they don’t have a
you no longer have a
choice,” Jendrysik said.
choice and the drug or
Marijuana isn’t just
chemical runs the show.”
some drug kids’ grandThe company that
parents smoked back in
developed OxyContin
the ‘60s. To Jendrysik, it
is a gateway drug because was successfully sued in
2007 for misrepresenting
it can progress to other
its addictive nature to the
ways of getting high.
FDA to gain approval,
Studies state that it
can’t be assumed that all Jendrysik said, adding it
children who smoke mar- paid a fine of $700 milijuana today will become lion.
Although she acknowlheroin addicts tomorrow,
edges that the focus lately
but the danger exists.
has been on heroin, other
Another long-term study
drugs are still very much
of high school students
misused.
shows that few young
Jendrysik pointed out
people use other drugs
without first having tried that at the beginning of
marijuana. Once a person her career in 1998, people
can no longer get the ini- were living in a world of
marijuana, alcohol and
tial “rush” he seeks, he
crack cocaine.
or she begins to increase
“We still see just as
drug consumption or
looks for something stron- much marijuana and alcohol is always a constant
ger, the studies report.
Lawrence County Drug but opiates are there,
too,” she said. “Kids tell
and Alcohol is holding a
town hall meeting from 8 adults in our department
that drugs are easier to
to 10 a.m. Wednesday at
Gallo’s Italian Villa to dis- get than alcohol because
cuss the risks, myths and an ID isn’t needed.
“Most addicts aren’t
truths about opiates and
bad people; they made
overdoses.
“I absolutely feel that it bad decisions. The stigis an issue in this county ma of an addict is people
think they have a choice
often interrupt a care plan
that has been put into
place by caring professionals,” Cochran said.
takes more than good intentions or a
strong will.
•Some drugs, such as marijuana
and heroin, have a similar structure
to chemical messengers called neurotransmitters, which are naturally
produced by the brain. This similarity allows the drugs to “fool” the
brain’s receptors and activate nerve
cells to send abnormal messages.
Other drugs, such as cocaine or
methamphetamine, can cause the
nerve cells to release abnormally
large amounts of natural neurotransmitters or to prevent the normal
recycling of these brain chemicals,
which is needed to shut off the signal between neurons.
•Risk for addiction includes genetics and environment.
•Although taking drugs at any age
can lead to addiction, the earlier that
drug use begins, the more likely it
will progress.
(Source: National Council on
Alcoholism and Drug Dependence)
but they can’t control it
anymore and there will
still be consequences.”
For some people, drug
use is normal because
they grew up that way,
she said.
“It’s not black and
white; people want it to
be but it’s not.”
Bailey said his involve-
ment now will help him
to deal better with Brandon when he is released
in about two and a half
years.
“With 23.5 million
people in recovery in the
USA, there is hope so it
can be done.”
(Email: lpezzuto
@ncnewsonline.com)
RE-ELECT
Anthony
Mastrangelo
for
MAYOR
City of New Castle
“Experience Matters”
Competent, Responsible & Honest
VOTE! VOTE!
STRAIGHT PARTY VOTE
on November 3, 2015
A Straight Party Vote –
democratic or Republican –
will automatically go in the Mayor’s column.
THANK YOU
FOR YOUR SUPPORT!!
PAID FOR BY THE CANDIDATE
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A-7
CONTROVERSIAL CHINESE ARTIST TAKES ON LEGO
LONDON (AP) — Ai Weiwei is taking on Lego, brick by brick. Art galleries around the
world are collecting plastic pieces for the dissident Chinese artist after the Danish toy
company refused to supply its product for his latest project. Ai, whose work is often
critical of Chinese authorities, says Lego last month refused a bulk purchase order from
an Australian gallery where he plans to build a new artwork on the theme of freedom of
speech.
Email us at [email protected]
ADDICTION’S PERSONAL TALES
Former addict shows
life can turn around
By Lugene Pezzuto
New Castle News
Lugene Pezzuto/NEWS
Wayne Burick reaches into one of the oak cabinets in the 20- by 20-foot kitchen.
House
Call
Visit reveals unique features
From the
center as well
wrought-iron
as a four-car
gate, a gravel
garage.
drive leads back
The house
to a tree-lined
is set back far
property that
enough from
induces love at
the highway
first sight.
that it’s imposLugene
Once you
sible to hear
catch sight of
traffic on the
Pezzuto
the all-redwood
main road. It’s
CRUISIN’
buildings, there
private and 17
comes the realiacres of sheer
zation this is more like a solitude.
retreat or resort.
Wayne told me the
It certainly is quiet and siding is reticulated grain
that’s one of the reasons redwood and the inside
Dr. Wayne Burick and
is all Douglas fir matehis wife decided to build rials.
here about 25 years ago.
As for a blueprint,
This is no ordinary
“We just did it. We really
place. There’s a lovely
didn’t have a plan but
4,500-square-foot home
my wife and I sat down
with a porch that practi- with a piece of paper
cally beckons spending
and went from there.”
an afternoon in the rockHe knew he wanted
ing chair. There is also
lots of light and that
another building that
includes the many skyis almost like an events
lights in the second
building.
“This house is about
as pure as can be,”
Wayne told me. “All the
building materials are
ecologically safe, and are
ceramic and hardwood.
There are no petrol
chemicals and I love that
this house doesn’t have
a lot of smells. It’s a very
clean smell in here.”
The air ducts that
return air are all lined
with galvanized steel,
which he said keeps the
house cleaner.
“I built this house to
try to reduce allergies,”
he pointed out. “I think I
was successful.”
The interior of the
house has a special
personality with lots of
charm and unique qualities. Rooms practically
float into one another.
CRUISIN’, PAGE A9
It took Matt Russick more
than 10 years, robbing from
area cemeteries, several
arrests and two stints in jail
to finally come clean.
As of Feb. 6, 2013, he has
been drug free — something he works at every
day.
He now has a full time
job helping others who are
addicted, a girlfriend and a
supportive family.
But life wasn’t always so
good.
At the age of 14, Russick
was hanging out with an
older crowd and already
LIFE, PAGE A8
Now a counselor, she went
from stoned to straight
By Lugene Pezzuto
New Castle News
Dope. Dragon. Smack.
If the names sound sinister, that’s because they
are street code for heroin.
Yellow sunshine and
Loony tunes are two
other names for LSD or
hallucinogens and OxyContin goes by cotton,
kickers or beans.
Mildred Boyd and other
recovering addicts know
them all. Boyd is alive to
tell her tale.
Others haven’t been so
lucky.
Boyd was especially on
a first-name basis with
marijuana, the drug she
AT THE LIBRARIES
BOOKMOBILE
The Lawrence County
Federated Library System
Bookmobile will be at the
following locations: Faith
Country Chapel, the Lawrence County Fairgrounds
on Route 108, Scott Fire
Department, Plain Grove
Presbyterian Church,
Eastbrook United Methodist Church, Volant Fire
Department, New Wilmington-Jameson Community Health Corner,
Field Drive, Cambridge
at Hidden Lake, Princeton Presbyterian Church,
Orchardale Estates, Westfield Presbyterian Church
and Enon Presbyterian
Church.
For more information
about the Bookmobile,
call Kris Hasson at (724)
658-6659, ext. 110.
ELLWOOD CITY
The creative writing
workshop for students
in ninth grade and older
meets at 3:30 p.m. Thursday. The group meets
twice each month to
share their work and
discuss writing tips and
techniques. New members are welcome.
The classics book discussion group for adults
meets at 6:30 p.m. Nov.
9. The group will discuss
the book, “The Wapshot Chronicles by John
Cheever. New members
are welcome.
Family Laptime, an
interactive story time for
babies, toddlers and their
siblings, is at 10 a.m. and
6:30 p.m. Tuesdays.
Preschool story time at
10 a.m. Thursdays features books, songs and
activities for children
who have celebrated their
third birthday and are
potty trained.
Evening book discussion group meets from
6:30 to 7:30 p.m. Wednesday.
The adult knitting
group will meet at 6 p.m.
Thursday.
For more information
about the programs and
services available at the
Contributed photo
Matt Russick
Ellwood City Area Public
Library, call (724) 7586458.
F.D. CAMPBELL
Tech Time is at noon
Mondays. Bring your tablet, smartphone, laptop
or ereader for one-on-one
help.
started with while she
was still in high school in
the 1980s.
Now 22 years clean
and a certified recovery
specialist with Lawrence
County Drug and Alcohol
Commission, she started smoking pot in ninth
grade.
“It’s starting even earlier than that now,” Boyd
said.
“A lot of children using
are products of addicted
parents.
“If heroin had been
more available then, I
would have used that.
Now kids are starting
right out with heroin
because that’s the drug
that’s available now. It’s
the frontrunner.”
Although marijuana
was always her drug of
STRAIGHT, PAGE A8
Re-Elect
ANGIOLELLI
UNION TOWNSHIP
SUPERVISOR
Paid for by the candidate
LIBRARY, PAGE A10
VOTE
Tuesday, November 3
Election Day
It has been my honor and pleasure to represent
the citizens of Lawrence County as your County
Commissioner. I am asking for your support on
election day to continue my record of progress,
accountability and teamwork.
VOTE
Steve Craig
Paid for by the Candidate
DAN
PAT
JACOBS
Heating & Cooling Since 1986
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A-8
Life
made me think I could
run faster during a basketball game.”
From page A7
When the price of OxyContin went too high,
smoking marijuana,
Russick turned to heroin.
which he believes is a
Eventually, he was
gateway drug.
transporting drugs from
“If I hadn’t smoked
Detroit to the New Castle
marijuana, I wouldn’t
area but the money he
have been exposed to the made helped support his
dealers who sold other
habit.
drugs,” the 31-year-old
“And being able to buy
New Castle resident said. clothes and other things, I
“I’m a people pleaser so
was living the lifestyle of
I did what I had to do to
a dealer,” he said.
fit in.”
Russick would break
THE PLUNGE
down the pills and use a
After graduating from
needle to get an instant
Shenango High School
high. When he returned
in 2002, Russick went
to New Castle, a friend
through a downward spi- got him a job but his
ral.
drug addiction just took
And he had to go down over and he ultimately
before he finally came up. was fired.
At one point, “I prayed
With an $80 to $100 a
every night and cried
day drug habit, Russick
myself to sleep, telling
turned to criminal activmyself that I didn’t want
ity.
to do this anymore.”
He did anything to supBut it was a never-end- port his habit and that
ing cycle and the next day included stealing from his
he would get high again.
grandmother, mother and
He progressed to using
stepfather.
pain killers like Percocet
Then he ran into an
and Vicodin.
old friend who used and
“The first time, I expeRussick was arrested after
rienced a tingle and that
helping to break into a
said he started where he
left off.
That was 2007. To support their habits, he and
his girlfriend stole a total
of $40,000 worth of brass
veterans’ flag holders
from various cemeteries
in Lawrence County. For
that crime, Russick served
more than six months in
the Lawrence County jail.
Although he was drug
free during that time, he
returned to using after he
was released on bond in
December 2008.
“I went back to the
same people. That was
all I knew — a drug lifestyle.”
He was arrested again
in Ohio on Jan. 16,
2013, for drug trafficking
charges.
“There were consequences to my actions.”
That day, he sat in the
back of the police cruiser
and experienced what
addicts refer to as a spiritual awakening.
This time, Russick had
the type of tingle that
isn’t caused by a substance.
He served 12 days in
the Ottawa County Jail
and while there, examined his life.
“I prayed to God to
please help me,” Russick
said.
Again, he was released
on bond, but remembered
he had heroin hidden
under the front porch and
had a needle in his arm
again within hours even
though he was facing 10
years in prison.
His attorney told him
his choice was either to
go to treatment or go to
jail.
THE RIGHT PATH
It was Lawrence County
Drug and Alcohol where
Russick turned to for
help, receiving treatment
in Altoona. He was there
for about 24 days for
total detox and attended
12-step meetings.
“The suggestion is to
go to 90 meetings in 90
days. You get a sponsor, a
home group and you’re a
part of something.”
There are two certified
recovery specialists at
Lawrence County Drug
and Alcohol — Mildred
Boyd and Charlie Olinger.
“They help you transition back to normal
society, and help with
housing, getting a job and
other support,” Russick
said.“ Mildred told me an
acronym — HOPE — and
it stands for Hold On,
Pain Ends.
“I use that in my life.
I stayed in counseling,
hung out with the right
people and humbled
myself by first getting a
job as a pizza deliveryman.
“I’m still on parole until
2016 but the judge gave
me a second chance. It
clicked.”
He explained that he
has been through a lot,
is not proud of what he
has done but people can
identify with what he has
been through — the hurt
and pain inflicted on oneself and others.
Russick said he will
always be considered an
addict and doesn’t want
to go back down that
dark road ever again.
To those facing addiction, he says, “Things get
better. You need to make
the choice.”
ever you go. You know
the language. It’s the nod
of a head. It’s a whole
From page A7 form of communication.
A whole culture.”
The lowest point came
choice, she used various
hallucinogens and “what- when her daughter’s
ever was on the table for father died, and her
mother and sister passed
the weekend.”
The entire time she was away.
“I lost everything,”
pregnant with her son,
tures so she can make
she said. “I moved back
Boyd smoked pot. She
them out. She used a
to Sharon and was just
graduated from Sharon
cane for years before
existing at that point. I
High School in June of
deciding to try a guide
was dysfunctional.”
1980 and had her son in
dog.
Now using pot and
November of that year.
A dog, she says, offers
“uppers,” Boyd still
Boyd never considered
more support and prodidn’t consider herself an
marijuana or alcohol
tection, as well as comaddict.
drugs and really didn’t
panionship and an easy
“I worked. I had a busistart drinking until she
entree to conversation
ness. But in my neighborwas 21, she said.
with passers-by.
hood, people didn’t go to
“It’s funny of the reaFigo, 8, is her third
rehab.”
soning we come up with
dog from the SmithBoyd stayed in denial,
to justify our behavior.
town-based Guide Dog
and was also getting three
I had always said, ‘I’ll
Foundation for the Blind,
never do drugs. I’ll never or four bags of marijuana
which breeds and trains
and selling it to friends.
drink.’”
guides, placing about 85
She didn’t consider herTHE WORST POINTS
last year. Overall, there
self a dealer, either.
At one point, Boyd
are about 10,000 working
GETTING HELP
found herself homeless
guide dogs nationwide,
The wake-up call came
and living in a corner
trained by various groups,
when Boyd looked in her
under a bridge.
said Wells Jones, the
children’s eyes and saw a
Yet, she said most of
foundation’s executive
the time she was working pain she can’t explain.
director.
“God opened the shutand functioning at some
The dogs are trained to
ters of reality. But I didn’t
level, and received an
avoid oncoming traffic,
associate’s degree in busi- change that day. It took
but turning vehicles preseviction, I sold my body,
ness administration.
ent the most difficultly,
my food stamps, I had no
“Back in the ‘80s, I
he said. The animals also
gas and no electric.”
smoked a lot of crack
are prepared to place
Her daughter was 3 and
cocaine and snorted in
themselves between their
her son 12 when Boyd
college.”
handlers and danger in
Despite moving to Ohio finally got clean.
some situations.
But it took several
and trying not to use,
While Stone was hos“you’ll find a drug wher- attempts.
pitalized and later underwent weeks of outpatient
physical therapy, Figo got
donor-paid care at Middlebranch Veterinary, then
returned to the Guide Dog
Foundation to ensure the
PITTSBURGH (AP)
Agriculture agents raided
bus crash hadn’t made
— A Laotian immigrant
his home in January 2013
him too fearful to do his
has pleaded guilty to
and seized more than 50
job. Over the weekend,
transporting uninspected
chickens, several pigeons,
Lyman, Maine-based
poultry from what federal some ducks and a peatrainer Doug Wiggin even agents say are slaughcock.
took Figo to the accident
terhouses in his PittsAuthorities say he was
site but didn’t find any
burgh-area homes.
slaughtering those anisigns of trouble.
Eighty-four-year-old Xia mals — along with goats
By noon on the day he Xue Vue entered the plea and pigs — at his homes
returned home, Figo was
Thursday before a federal in Jefferson Hills and
leading Stone down the
judge in Pittsburgh who
Pittsburgh West End, and
sidewalk on her block,
will sentence him Feb. 18. selling the meat to ethnic
padding slowly to match
Local humane officials
food stores.
her still-recovering pace.
have repeatedly cited Vue
The charge carries up
They would leave crossfor slaughtering animals
to three years in prison.
ing a street for the next
he buys at farm auctions
day, but it was a good
for the last 20 years.
start.
U.S. Department of
She called the Drug and
Alcohol Commission in
Sharon in January 1993
to get help. Although
she minimized her usage
and went through an
outpatient program, Boyd
couldn’t stay drug free.
In August of that
year, she went through
inpatient therapy for 28
days and then was at a
halfway house for six
months.
“Once I got clean, I
stayed clean and haven’t
relapsed.”
Now, she helps others
through the recovery process.
To this day, Boyd still
attends 12-step meetings.
“Jesus made a difference in my life,” she said.
“I met Jesus on that dark
road.”
New Castle resident
Stephanie Helle, 38, has
been clean from narcotics
for 11 months and has
undergone various treatments.
She plans to stay that
way and said her kids are
her motivators but she
also needs to do it for
herself.
“I was embarrassed,
ashamed and scared. As
much as I wanted to stop,
the addiction was stronger. A lot of people ask
‘why can’t you just stop?’
But it’s not as simple as
that.
“The important part is
now,” Helle explained.
“There is hope and there
is a happy ending.”
She hopes she can help
someone else who is in
a similar situation as she
was.
“You just have to ask
for help.”
No matter how long a
person stays clean, he or
she will probably always
have to attend a meeting for support, Helle
explained.
“People get me at those
meetings. And I take it
one day at a time.”
(Email: lpezzuto@
ncnewsonline.com)
Dog jumps in
front of bus
to save owner
BREWSTER, N.Y. (AP)
— Lying in a hospital
after being hit by a school
minibus, Audrey Stone set
herself a goal: to get well
so she could bring back
home the guide dog that
had jumped in front of a
bus to save her.
Stone, who is legally
blind, spent months in
a rehabilitation hospital.
The golden retriever, Figo,
had surgery himself and
went back to his trainers
to make sure he would be
able to work again.
And at last, there was
Figo striding up the
driveway to greet her last
week at her suburban
New York house.
Stone and Figo had
been together for about 6
½ years before the June
8 crash as they crossed
a street a block from her
home in Brewster, a town
about 60 miles north of
Manhattan.
The dog’s leap to put
himself between her and
the oncoming, turning
bus — and his efforts to
stick by her side afterward when both were
injured — brought cards,
calls and dog toys from as
far away as England. The
American Society for the
Prevention of Cruelty to
Animals is giving Figo its
Dog of the Year award.
“Basically, he would
have died for me, doing
what he did,” said Stone,
who suffered a broken
ankle, elbow and ribs and
needed stitches in her
head. Figo had a serious
gash in one of his legs.
The bus driver, who
said he didn’t see Stone
and the dog, was ticketed.
Stone was born with
very limited vision, and
a photo album of Figo’s
recovery has 8-by-10 pic-
house in Shenango Township.
He was charged with
felony and received 18
months probation.
“My addiction was full
blown and again I was
crying to my mom that
I wanted to get clean on
the way home from the
police station. At 2 a.m. I
was getting high again.”
Lying and living in
denial became second
nature for Russick.
During probation, he
received treatment at
White Deer Run, an inpatient treatment facility
operated by Lawrence
Commission, where he
underwent detoxification
for about 30 days, but
said he didn’t work on
himself.
It was basically going
through the motions.
While there, he became
involved with a woman
from Philadelphia and
once he was released
from the inpatient facility,
within a week, both were
using.
PAYING THE PRICE
The pair was back in
New Castle and Russick
ncnewsonline.com
Straight
Man guilty of shipping
poultry from his home
(Email: lpezzuto@
ncnewsonline.com)
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Re-Elect
HELEN I.
MORGAN
Lawrence County
Prothonotary/
Clerk of Courts
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ATHLETES OF
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— PAGE B
Wednesday
November 18, 2015
Since 1880
Vol. 136 No. 59
Higher
deductibles
to offset
teachers’
pay hikes
Newsstand 75¢
Drug prevention efforts
start early, educators say
By Debbie Wachter
New Castle News
By Jessica Shelenberger
New Castle News
Raises and health care
changes were primary
focuses of negotiations
between the New Castle
Area School District and its
teachers.
The school board on
Monday ratified a five-year
contract for the 225-member New Castle Federation
of Teachers, granting incremental salary increases
each year of the five years
and making significant
changes in the district’s
health insurance plan. The
collective bargaining agreement is retroactive to Sept.
1 and will be in effect until
Aug. 31, 2020.
The wage increases for
teachers will be flat, uniform raises of $1,300 the
first year of the contract,
$1,700 the second year,
$1,900 the third year,
$2,000 the fourth year and
$2,100 the fifth year.
Superintendent John J.
Sarandrea noted the pact
includes a high deductible
health-plan which will save
the district money.
According to district
business manager Joe
Ambrosini, the district will
transition from a traditional
PPO (Preferred Provider
Organization) health plan
to a PPOBLUE Qualified
CONTRACT, PAGE A3
Jessica Shelenberger/NEWS
Jennifer Brown, right, of the Lawrence County Drug and Alcohol Commission,
colors a worksheet alongside New Castle fifth-grader Jayden Hawkins at the
CANES after-school program last week. Brown is one of several employees who
provide drug and alcohol prevention and education programs in local schools.
Kelly, Rothfus
want to block
refugee program
U.S. Reps. Mike Kelly and
Keith Rothfus have called
for suspension of President
Obama’s Syrian refugee
program.
The two men, both
Republicans, issued statements in the wake of the
terrorist attack on Paris last
week.
“As we continue to pray
for the victims and their
families, we must strengthen our own resolve in the
face of this terrible threat,”
said Kelly, who represents
most of Lawrence County.
“The enemy we face may
go by different names but
its core identity remains the
same: radical Islam,” Kelly
said. “It is evil, it is deadly,
it is ambitious, and it is
actively waging war on not
just America but the entire
West and our way of life.”
He said the United States
and “the entire civilized
world must unite to defeat
this barbarity. And we will
only be successful with
forceful and visible American leadership at the forefront.”
“On the home front, we
should indefinitely suspend
Shenango Township’s fire
department wants to increase
its fire tax to fund a full-time
employee.
Assistant Chief Brandon Rishel
asked the township supervisors
for an increase in the fire tax so
the department can hire a daytime employee who would be
first to respond to fire calls and
to do fire department paperwork.
Rishel told the supervisors
Thursday that such an employee
would improve the department’s
success rate in meeting state
standards for response time. The
department is failing 36.7 percent
of the time to have a person at
the scene in three minutes and a
truck there in ten minutes, which
are the state recommendations
also known as the National Fire
Protection Association 1720 standards, he said.
He said the problem is a
lack of volunteer firefighters, a
problem Shenango shares with
departments across the state and
BLOCK, PAGE A2
County gives funds toward merger
By Debbie Wachter
New Castle News
A steering committee is
researching a potential consolidation of the Shenango Township and South New Castle
Borough fire departments.
The seven-member committee, formed in the summer,
recently established a joint
checking account between
the two volunteer groups,
explained Ken Langford, the
the nation.
“When I joined the fire department, there was a waiting list,”
he said, adding “There is no
waiting list now.”
And not all of the department’s
volunteers have the training and
ability to respond to every incident, he said.
Rishel said a full-time employee would improve that response
SCHOOL
Despite having
CURRICULUM
worked for more than
Lawrence County
a decade in substance Drug and Alcohol
abuse education, Jen- Commission is the
nifer Brown continues primary provider of
to be surprised by the school and commuimpact her lessons
nity-based
have on
alcohol,
students
INSIDE ...
tobacco
across
•Attorney starts
and other
Lawrence
nonprofit organization drug preCounty.
that allows him to pro- vention
Brown, a vide substance abuse
and edueducation.
prevention
— PAGE A2 cation proprogram
grams.
specialist
Those
with the
services include
Lawrence County
classroom education
Drug and Alcohol
for students in kinCommission, said a
dergarten through
high school senior
12th grade, a reality
recently approached
tour drug prevention
her at a Red Ribbon
program, education
Week event.
“He said, ‘I remem- programs for school
employees and busiber when you came
nesses, youth advointo my class when I
was in kindergarten,’” cacy groups, and
events coinciding with
Brown recalled. “He
national and statewide
remembered what I
had taught him about campaigns like Red
making good choices.” Ribbon Week.
“We really target
Those words are
grades
K through 12,
enough to keep Brown
and
in
every
school
pressing on, teachin the county, there’s
ing local children
some sort of prevenand teens about the
tion education going
dangers of substance
on,” Brown said.
abuse, even as overThe commisdose and drug-related
sion uses an evicrime rates continue
dence-based, state-apto climb.
proved curriculum
“If someone hears
my message and uses called “Too Good
the information I give For Drugs,” which
emphasizes good
them to make one
decision-making and
good decision — if
that happens, it’s
EARLY, PAGE A2
Shenango firefighter asks for fire tax
increase to fund full-time employee
By Mary Grzebieniak
New Castle News
worth it,” she said.
steering committee chairman.
Lawrence County commissioner Dan Vogler explained
that the commissioners had
requested the joint account
before they would agree to
commit the funds to the effort.
He said the commissioners are
considering requests from various municipalities for uses of
the shale fund money, which is
allocated annually by the state
MERGER, PAGE A3
time, be first at the scene and
make a significant difference
during daytime hours which are
the most understaffed.
He said the employee would
have to be a trained firefighter
and emergency medical technician who knows how to operate
equipment and meet minimum
OBITUARIES
Eugene Brothers Sr., 78,
New Castle
Raymond E. Cioffi, 86,
Neshannock Township
Helen Snyder Cousins, 98,
New Castle
Helen Ann Mrozek, 88,
North Lima, Ohio
Charlene Ann Navarra, 65,
Lakewood, Colo.
Donna J. Crable Shaffer, 83,
New Castle
Jeneve B. Wolfers, 87,
New Castle
See Page A5
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A-2
Wednesday, November 18, 2015
ncnewsonline.com
Local attorney turns focus toward drug education
New Castle News
New Castle attorney Angelo
Papa has his hand in local drug
and alcohol prevention and
education, but he says it was
only by accident.
While representing a client
who faced criminal charges
and struggled with substance
abuse 14 years ago, Papa met
an addiction physician who
changed the way he looked at
addicts and how he should represent them.
Before long, he developed a
method of helping addicted clients receive help by creating an
individually prescribed medical
and legal plan.
After successfully using and
teaching this model to other
attorneys, Papa decided to
found a nonprofit organization
that allowed him to provide
substance abuse education to
students and community members.
His Substance Abuse Coalition Summits Inc. brings
together legal, educational
and medical professionals for
a multi-day program in high
schools that includes a student-made movie, a speaker,
Early
Contributed photo
Attorney Angelo Papa, who leads the nonprofit Substance Abuse
Coalition Summits Inc., speaks to students at Kennedy Catholic
High School during a mock trial event that aims to teach students
about the consequences of drug and alcohol use.
a mock trial and a luncheon
with community members. The
program was most recently
presented at Kennedy Catholic
High School in Hermitage.
“We want to elevate the
debate ... and to proactively
prevent addiction,” Papa said.
“(The students) say that they
learn so much from this.
“We know that people are
way off on their knowledge of
prevention options and treatment options that are available,” Papa continued. “Our
job is to not just talk about
substance abuse, but to find
Parents to present son’s story
Block
the best credentialed people to
put in front of them to teach
them.”
In a promotional video for
the program, Kennedy Catholic
High School principal Heidi
Patterson said the program was
a great opportunity for the students that gave them a chance
to see “real life events.”
“If one person out of three
hundred took something away
from this, we’ve done our job,”
Patterson said.
New Castle junior and senior
high students will be the next
to hear Papa’s presentation, as
the school plans to hold the
two-day event for its students
in the spring, according to
Superintendent John Sarandrea.
“I really think it’s a good
thing for our kids to see, after
watching the videos (Papa had)
from the program at Kennedy,”
Sarandrea said. “It’s a powerful
program and it’ll really minister
to kids.”
Sarandrea said the district
has made an effort to use as
many drug prevention programs as possible, starting
in kindergarten, all the way
through twelfth grade.
“The sooner you get the info
into the kids’ toolbox, the bet-
ter off they’re going to be,” he
said. “But that doesn’t mean
that you don’t try even though
they’re older. The return on
the investment isn’t as great,
but you still need to make the
investment.
“We want our kids to know
that the best way to protect
themselves and their future is
to never get started in drugs in
the first place,” Sarandrea continued. “Drugs are everywhere,
and the sooner they’re able to
gain the courage and confidence to say, ‘It’s not for me,’
the better chance they have of
never going down that road.”
Papa said his long-term goal
with the Summits Coalition
project is to host an “annual
convention-style” event in New
Castle that attracts people from
other communities and school
districts.
Papa said New Castle has
had its share of drug problems,
referring to the what city police
deal with relating to heroin and
opioid use.
“But I see it as an opportunity,” he said. “Why shouldn’t
the most effective substance
abuse program begin here?”
(Email: jshelenberger
@ncnewsonline.com)
ian refugees into American
towns and cities is deeply
misguided and puts the
A presentation of
the public, and explain
From page A1
From page A1 American people at risk.
“Brandon’s Story” will
the struggle with their
“The safety and security
the Obama administrabe
held
from
6
to
8
son’s addiction.
teaches students how to
of
the American people is
tion’s
Syrian
refugee
p.m. Sunday at Wayside
They also point
deal with peer pressure
a nonnegotiable priority.
program.
We
have
long
Emmanuel
Church
on
out
how
the
struggle
and set goals.
Americans need to know
been the world’s most
Mitchell Road.
became an opportunity
“We hope, that as the
their elected officials are
charitable and compasThe presentation by
to get closer to God.
youth grow up, they learn
doing everything we can
sionate
nation,
but
with
Vision Ministries will
The program features
how to make the right
to prevent similar acts of
the
world
on
fire
and
the
be
done
by
Dan
Bailey
Doug
McIltrot
who
will
decisions, find the right
terror here at home. The
nature
of
our
enemy
in
and
his
wife,
Terri.
The
perform
“Brandon’s
friends to hang out with,
mind, we must simultane- American people are a
couple’s son, Brandon, Song.”
that they know what to do
ously be realistic and vig- compassionate people and
is an addict.
A free will offering
when they’re in a situation
ilant. Regretfully, I believe desire to aid in the humanThe
Baileys
present
will
be
taken
to
be
they don’t want to be in,”
itarian crises occurring
our governor, Tom Wolf,
“Brandon’s
Story”
as
used
in
the
ministry
for
Brown said.
abroad.
is very wrong and naïve
a way to educate and
those struggling with
She said the program is
“The U.S. has been more
on
this
issue.
He
should
provide awareness to
addiction.
adjusted for different age
generous in aid efforts than
join other governors in
groups.
rethinking the acceptance any other country in the
Brown. “It’s not the face
The elementary-aged
Transit Authority, soccer
world and has given $4.5
of refugees and insist on
children get a foundation in groups, Boy Scout troops
that you perceive it to be.
billion in humanitarian
a stronger, stricter verifimaking good decisions and and neighborhood watch
It’s good kids from nice
relief for those affected by
cation system.”
are introduced to the dangroups, among many other homes, where both parents
the war in Syria. Until refRothfus, who represents
gers of drugs, Brown said.
organizations.
work.”
ugees can be properly veta southern section of the
“They’ll see me in the
Tonight, the commis“It really is a health
ted, however, it would be
county, said, “President
store, and they’ll tell their
sion is presenting a social
epidemic,” Jendrysik said. Obama’s assessment that
unwise to allow them into
parents, ‘That’s the lady
media trends workshop
“People view it as an
the country.”
these barbaric acts are
who teaches us about
for adults at Ben Franklin
amoral thing, but it’s not.” merely ‘setbacks’ is mistakIn Harrisburg, Republican
drugs at school,’” Brown
Early Learning Center from
(Email: jshelenberger
en. His proposed policy of
state lawmakers on Tuessaid, adding that the chil6 to 8 p.m.
accepting thousands of Syr- day were circulating copies
@ncnewsonline.com)
dren will go on to lecture
“We try to bring things
the parents if they smoke
we think are importcigarettes or chew tobacco. ant to the community,”
“The really take something Abramson said. “We want
away from it.”
to try to get the real word
Jessica Wiseman, a sevout because there are a lot
enth-grade teacher in the
of assumptions out there.”
New Castle Area School
Brown agreed that many
District, said the lessons are adults just don’t know
valuable for the elementary much about drugs and
students.
drug use.
“It’s important to get
“A lot of people don’t
them young, to help them
realize how much there is,
understand what can haphow many different drugs
pen,” said Wiseman, who
are out there,” Brown said.
previously taught elemen“There’s a lot of parents
tary school. “By the high
in the workplaces we go
school age, they’re already
to who want to talk about
making decisions that
what to look for when
aren’t good.”
they’re rummaging through
The middle and high
their kid’s bedroom.
school students learn
“We tell parents to not
more about the current
be afraid to upset your
drug trends and listen to
kids because you’re snoopspeakers who are recovered ing. I check my daughter’s
addicts, Brown said. She
and son’s phones every
said many of the older stu- day, their text messages,
dents have already seen the their search engines, what
problems drug and alcohol they’re watching on Youaddiction creates for their
Tube,” Brown continued.
friends and families, and
She added that being
they’re much more savvy
aware of popular culture
about what kind of drugs
— from songs that referpeople are using and are
ence drug use to actors
available in the community. and actresses who have
“When they’re youngoverdosed — is key to
er, they listen to you, but
being able to relate to
when they get older, it’s
teens.
real life, and they have
“You can’t talk about
to deal with it,” Brown
John Belushi with them,”
said. “I just hope to give
said Julie Jendrysik, a case
them enough info, enough management and recovery
strategies to make the best
support supervisor for the
decisions they can,” she
drug and alcohol commissaid.
sion. “You have to know
the actors and TV shows
and music, and know
TEACHING OTHERS
Brown said that in addi- who’s overdosed and
who’s in rehab. You have
tion to teaching in the
schools, she and the other to connect with them.”
prevention specialists also
Brown and Jendrysik
work at educating adults.
agreed that parents and
According to Rebecca
community members have
Abramson, the director of
to be vigilant, regardless
of their location, race or
and Alcohol, they’ve presocioeconomic status.
sented drug education
“We’re all dealing with
programs at the Jameson
the same thing. Kids are
School of Nursing, Butkids everywhere, no matter
ler County Community
where they’re at. Drugs
College, the New Castle
don’t discriminate,” said
of letters of protest to the
governor and considering
language for a resolution
urging Obama to halt the
plan to take in refugees.
One hundred state representatives signed onto a
letter urging Wolf to reverse
his decision.
In the letter, the lawmakers said the conservative
group Judicial Watch put
the price tag of accepting
10,000 refugees at $650
million.
Not everyone thinks Wolf
and Obama are out-of-line.
Religious groups —
including the National
Association of Evangelicals
and the U.S. Conference of
Catholic Bishops – on Tuesday reinforced their support
for accepting refugees.
The mayors of the state’s
two biggest cities – Philadelphia and Pittsburgh
– have voiced support for
Wolf’s announcement.
(CNHI News Service contributed to this article.)
Friday
November 20, 2015
Since 1880
Vol. 136 No. 61
Newsstand 75¢
Shots
fired at
North Hill
residence
New Castle police are seeking whoever is responsible for
shooting at a house on the
North Hill on Wednesday.
Police said someone fired a
gun in the 700 block of North
Mercer Street around 3 a.m.
A resident reported to police
that she found multiple bullet
holes on the outside of her
house and that a neighbor
found shell casings on the
sidewalk.
The resident told police that
the sound of gunfire woke
her up. Investigating officers
reported that they found six
shell casings and one live 9
millimeter round on the sidewalk.
Anyone who has information about the incident
is asked to contact the city
police at (724) 656-3588 or
leave a tip on the city police
website at www.newcastlepd.
com.
The incident marks the
second time in just over a
month that someone has fired
gunshots into a home in the
neighborhood.
At 1:43 a.m. Oct. 10, someone fired shots into a house
in the 100 block of Park Avenue. No one was injured in
that incident, but six bullet
holes were found in the
house. Some of the bullets
had gone through the front
wall of the home into a second wall.
Court: Porn
emails are
not public
records
HARRISBURG (AP) — Pornographic emails on computers
at the Pennsylvania attorney
general’s office are not public
records under the Right-toKnow Law, an appeals court
ruled Thursday, but the judges said that doesn’t stop the
state’s embattled top prosecutor
from releasing them as she has
vowed to do.
Commonwealth Court ruled
5-2 against
a request by
The Philadelphia Inquirer
to release the
emails, saying “public
records” under
Kathleen
the access
Kane
law must
document an
official transaction or activity of
the agency.
“She will issue a statement
next Wednesday, after having
an opportunity to review the
court decision,” said Chuck
Ardo, a spokesman for Attorney
General Kathleen Kane. He said
she “respects the court’s opinion, which is why she sought it
in the first place.”
Kane, a first-term Democrat,
is currently running her office
with a suspended law license
as she fights criminal charges
EMAILS, PAGE A2
File photo/NEWS
This eyeglass case filled with drug paraphernalia and heroin residue was found in April along a road in Pulaski Township.
DEA analyzes 2014 drug
overdose deaths in county, state
By Debbie Wachter
New Castle News
(Part of a
continuing series)
A Drug Enforcement Administration report released this
week shows Lawrence County
had 18 illicit drug overdose
deaths last year.
But County Coroner Russell
S. Noga countered that the
number actually was higher
and included other deaths that
may not have been on the
DEA’s radar screen when the
report was assembled.
Deputy coroner R. J. “Rich”
Johnson said that so far this
year, there have been close to
30 drug-related deaths in the
county, including some within
the past two weeks that are
suspected overdose cases.
Figures Johnson provided
recently to the New Castle
Police Department show 17
overdose deaths in the county in 2011, 27 in 2013 and
25 in 2014, with the average
age being between 35 and 55
years old.
The DEA report, a statewide
File photo/NEWS
District Attorney Joshua
Lamancusa fields questions
during a press conference
announcing the breakup of a
heroin distribution ring in New
Castle in 2014.
Drug Overdose Assessment for
Pennsylvania, analyzes drug
overdose deaths throughout
Pennsylvania in 2014, and
shows that Lawrence County
ranked 29th out of 67 counties
in the number of drug-related
deaths per 100,000 people last
year.
The report also identifies
heroin as the most common
drug found in toxicology tests
in overdose death victims in
Lawrence County in 2014. The
toxicology testing showed 47
percent had opioids in their
blood, 24 percent had illicit
drugs and 29 percent had benzodiazepines.
According to www.webmd.
com, benzodiazepines are a
type of medication known
as tranquilizers with such
familiar names as Valium and
Republican liquor plan passes
state House amid budget talks
HARRISBURG (AP) — A divided state House on Thursday sent
a new proposal to privatize Pennsylvania’s government-run liquor
system to the Senate, a plan not
much different from a Republican-backed bill that Democratic
Gov. Tom Wolf vetoed in June.
The House voted 110-86 for the
measure, which was billed as a
step forward in broader, closeddoor negotiations to resolve the
state’s budget stalemate, currently
in its fifth month.
House Republicans have made
it a priority to privatize the
state-controlled wine and liquor
Xanax (alprazolam) that are
easily misused. Many of the
deaths had combinations of
drugs that contributed to the
deaths.
Of the 18 deaths, 12 were
male and six were female,
and 17 were Caucasian. One
was of an unknown race. Ten
were between ages 46 and 50,
seven were age 31 to 45, and
one was age 18 to 20, according to statistics provided to
the DEA from the Lawrence
County Coroner’s office.
In comparison to Lawrence
County, the reported showed
system, and some form of
our fine wine and spirit could win approval as
its workers,” said Rep.
part of a budget deal.
Paul Costa of Allegheny
“This is a critical part
County, the committee’s
of the budget negotiaranking Democrat. “It’s
tions,” said Rep. Chris
a bad deal for our small
Ross, R-Chester, who is
business owners. It’s a
chairman of the House
bad deal for consumers
Gov. Tom
Liquor Control Comand it’s a bad deal for our
Wolf
mittee. A vote, he said,
commonwealth.”
would “move the process
The bill, sponsored by
forward.”
Speaker Mike Turzai, R-Allegheny,
Six Republicans joined every
would result in the closing of all
Democrat in voting against the
of the about 600 state wine and
measure after a very brief floor
liquor stores and create 1,200
debate.
“This bill is a bad deal for
LIQUOR, PAGE A2
DRUGS, PAGE A2
OBITUARIES
James M. Coates, 71,
Edinburg
Laura A. DeSimone, 63,
Union Township
Edward J. Golonka, 57,
New Castle
Kenneth B. Kelso, 61,
New Castle
David F. Rupert Sr., 79,
Masury, Ohio
See Page A5
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A-2
Friday, November 20, 2015
ncnewsonline.com
Union school
board members
receive state
recognition
By Lugene Pezzuto
New Castle News
Two long-term members
of the Union Area School
Board were recognized in
conjunction with the Pennsylvania School Boards
Association.
During Wednesday’s
meeting, board president John Bertolino was
honored for 20 years of
service. Debra Allebach,
board vice president,
DEA
received recognition for
Compiled from Pennsylvania coroner data, this map shows county-by-county
eight years of service. Beroverdose deaths in Pennsylvania for 2014.
tolino and Allebach were
presented a certificate
adding them to the PSBA
Honor Roll of School Board
worked with various state toxicology test results
enforcement to maintain
Service.
and local drug-related
of drug-related overdose
awareness of the drugs of
Superintendent Mike
agencies, and compiled
deaths.
abuse in the communities Ross spoke about the recipFrom page A1 the first comprehensive
•Illicit drugs were the
that we serve,” said Speients and their years of
analysis
of
drug-related
largest
drug category (42
cial Agent in Charge
dedicated volunteer service
Mercer County had one
overdose
deaths
in
the
percent)
identified
in
the
Gary
Tuggle
of
the
Drug
to children, the community
drug overdose death in
state. The report reptoxicology
test
results,
Enforcement
Administraand public education.
2014 and Butler County
resents information from
with
heroin
comprising
“School directors are
tion
(DEA)
Philadelphia
had 34. Statistics from
62 out of 67 counties.
65 percent of the illicit
continually spending more
Field Division, in a news
Beaver and Venango
Five did not provide data, drugs mentioned.
of their personal time on
release issued this week.
counties were not reportthe report states.
•More than 60 percent
school-related activities,
ed. The highest numThe writers of the
of the drug-related oversome dedicating more
STATEWIDE
STATISTICS
bers of overdose deaths,
report note that the coadose deaths showed the
than 16 hours a month to
DEA
received
informaaccording to the DEA
lition of agencies that
presence of an opioid,
tion from 62 of the state’s school board business,”
report, were in the counhelped with the report
with oxycodone the most 67 counties on 2,497
Ross said. “That demonties with large cities —
is continuing to collect
frequent (30 percent).
strates a true commitment
deaths
caused
by
the
Philadelphia having the
data on naloxone admin•About 81 percent of
on their part.”
misuse
of
illicit
drugs
and
most with 655 overdose
istrations by emergency
the deaths showed the
According to PSBA, these
diverted pharmaceuticals.
deaths and Allegheny
medical services and law presence of more than
members
put in, on averHeroin was the most freCounty with 307.
enforcement, as well as
one drug, with the most
age,
about
two-and-a-half
quently identified drug
nonfatal drug overdose
common illicit drug comworking days per month of
(more
than
51
percent
DATA EXAMINED
data, as a way to assess
bination being heroin
non-paid, volunteer service
of deaths), followed by
The report, assembled
regional trends in drug
and cocaine, followed
Alprazolam 19.4 percent, as school directors, Ross
by the agency’s Philadelabuse, emerging drug
by heroin and fentanyl.
and oxycodone, 17.9 per- explained.
phia field division intelli- threats and to identify
Fentanyl, according to
“Mr. Bertolino and Mrs.
cent, and more than 60
gence program, conductdrug sources of supply.
the report, is a synthetAllebach exemplify leaderpercent of the decedents
ed a broad analysis of the
Naloxone, commonly
ic morphine analgesic
ship and dedication, giving
showed the presence of
impact of illicit drugs and known as Narcan, is used reported to be 80 to 200
unselfishly to the Union
an opioid.
diverted pharmaceutical
to rapidly revive heroin
times more potent than
community and allowing
Also of note, 12 rural
misuse in Pennsylvania
overdose victims even
morphine with a rapid
our children the opporcounties were among the
by examining drug-relatafter they stop breathing, onset of action. It is sold
tunity to gain knowledge
ed overdose death data.
but is not known as a
under the brand names of 20 counties with the high- through the best educaAccording to the report,
save-all.
Duragesic and Sublimaze, est rate of drug-related
tional system possible.”
Pennsylvania ranked 9th
“Deaths that result from abut also is manufactured death per 100,000 people.
Board members also
The DEA worked on the thanked students and staff
in the nation in drug
the abuse or misuse of
illicitly and is used in
assessment collectively
overdose deaths in 2014,
illicit street drugs and
conjunction with illicit
for their high achievement
and drug overdoses were diverted pharmaceuticals drugs such as heroin and with the state police, the
in the school performance
state Department of Drug profile. Union ranked secreported as the leading
are of particular intercocaine.
and Alcohol Programs,
cause of injury, according est to DEA and its law
•In each overdose
ond in Lawrence County.
to the report.
enforcement partners, as
death, the cause of death the state Attorney GenRoss said the district has
eral Bureau of Narcotics
The report states that
they reflect the most mali- was determined by the
made significant improvethe DEA has been colcious way that the illegal county coroner or medical Investigation and Drug
Control, the Philadelphia/
lecting records since 2008 drug trade damages and
examiner. Each reporting
Camden High Intensity
that chart drug-related
destroys lives,” the report county is responsible for
Drug Trafficking Area,
deaths from coroners’
states.
conducting toxicology
and coroners and medical
From page A1
offices and medical examThe report presents
testing.
iners, who require toxicol- these key findings:
“Drug-related overdose examiners throughout
new permits to sell wine
Pennsylvania.
ogy to determine causes
•In 2014, heroin was
deaths are increasing
and liquor.
(Email: dwachter
of such types of deaths.
the most prevalent drug
nationwide; as such,
Beer distributors would
The Philadelphia group (51 percent) found in the it is imperative for law
@ncnewsonline.com)
get the first opportunity to buy the permits
nographic, misogynistic
violation of agency policy
The newspaper made a
on a sliding price scale
does not make them public and racist emails,” said
formal request in August
based on the size of their
records under the Right-to- Terry Mutchler, lawyer for counties, from $30,000
2014 for copies of all
From page A1 emails that are “of a perthe Inquirer. She said a
Know Law, he wrote.
for wine and $52,500 for
decision about a possible
“While
there
may
be
sonal
nature
and
involve
liquor in Pittsburgh and
for allegedly leaking secret
appeal had not been made. Philadelphia, to $7,500
pornographic or otherwise other legal reasons that
grand jury material to a
Kane “said in September for wine and $30,000 for
prevent her from doing so,
reporter and lying about it. inappropriate material.”
she
was going to release
nothing
in
this
opinion
preThe
request
covered
all
liquor in the least popuAn internal review she
them,
and she should do
cludes
her
from
releasing
employees
since
2005.
lous areas.
ordered into her office’s
the emails,” Pellegrini wrote. it,” Mutchler said.
Kane’s office denied
After six months, the
handling of the child
Kane’s criticism of the
A dissent by Judge Bonthe request, but the paper
remaining permits would
molestation investigation
Sandusky prosecution trig- be auctioned off.
nie Brigance Leadbetter
of former Penn State assis- received a favorable
said content isn’t the only gered a feud with invesdecision from an outside
tant football coach Jerry
factor. “If communications tigators who handled the
lawyer Kane had hired to
Sandusky uncovered evicase, and in 2014, prosecuregarding a particular
serve
as
appeals
officer.
dence that dozens of curtors allege, she leaked conrent and former employees Kane challenged that deci- subject matter are shown
fidential grand jury inforto be pervasive and widesion in court.
traded salacious or offenmation to the Philadelphia
spread within an agency,
“All of the states that
sive emails, within the
Daily News in an attempt
they may reach the level
office and with judges and have addressed the issue
to show that two of them
of
being
an
activity
of
the
have
concluded
that
the
others outside it. She has
had bungled a corruption
agency,” she wrote.
contents of government
made a series of targeted
The court had originally investigation.
employees’ personal emails
releases, producing volThe scandal led to the
published the decision as
are not information about
umes of emails with cona single-judge dissent, but downfall of a state envitent that ranges from juve- the affairs of government
ronmental secretary and
and are, therefore, not open later amended it to indinile to sexually graphic.
cate a second judge joined shamed a state police comto the public under their
She claims that the
Leadbetter, making it a 5-2 missioner, a Pennsylvania
charges against her resulted respective open records
Supreme Court justice and
from her willingness to take acts,” wrote Judge Dan Pel- decision.
several former top officials
“The public should be
legrini for the majority.
on what she called the old
in the attorney general’s
able to see which public
The fact that they were
boys’ network of Pennsyloffice.
officials were trading porsent, received or kept in
vania law enforcement.
Drugs
Liquor
Emails
ment during the past several years.
Also attending the meeting were students from
Boy Scout Troop 757 who
came as part of their work
toward their Citizen in the
Community badge. Bertolino thanked the scouts
for witnessing a public
governmental meeting,
commended their commitment to the Scouting organization and stressed the
importance of volunteer
service.
The board also accepted
two donations. A $300
donation for the Union
Area Robotics Team came
from Mariana and Costica
Padure to help fund the
team’s participation in
regional competition in
North Dakota early next
month. A $500 donation
was provided by New Castle Moose Lodge 51. It is to
be used at the district’s discretion but it was pointed
out that the money could
be used to help families
who are experiencing hardships to purchase food.
In other business, the
board:
•Approved the Local
Economic Revitalization
Tax Abatement (LERTA)
application of Jamie and
Judy Smith of 217 English
Ave. for $217,500. LERTA
is a Pennsylvania law
permitting local taxing
authorities to provide an
exemption from real estate
taxes for residential properties. In the first year, the
exemption is 80 percent,
in the second year it is 40
percent and in the third
year, 20 percent.
•Placed Francie DeCesare of New Castle on the
substitute security list for
the 2015-16 school year.
•Set Wednesday, Dec. 2
at 6:30 p.m. as the reorganizational meeting.
(Email: lpezzuto
@ncnewsonline.com)
The wholesale system
would be leased to a
state-licensed importer for
a decade, after which it
would be given a permit
to operate the system for
a fee of 5 percent of the
gross receipts.
Other provisions would
let restaurants and hotels
sell wine and liquor for
takeout, and allow wine
sales at grocery stores.
An analysis by the
Appropriations Committee
said the bill would produce about $431 million
for the state treasury in
the current fiscal year,
and about $300 million in
2016-17.
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Judge
orders
Hermitage
man to
dim lights
By Joe Pinchot
CNHI News Service
MERCER — A judge issued
an injunction Tuesday ordering
Arthur Brown to tone down the
exterior lights at his Virginia
Road home in Hermitage.
Mercer County Common Pleas
Court Judge Daniel P. Wallace
said he had no choice but to
issue the temporary injunction
because Brown never appealed
the city’s notice of a zoning violation.
Still, a neighbor who has
complained for years about the
intensity of Brown’s lights said
Wallace’s order doesn’t go far
enough, and criticized city officials for years of inaction.
The case will head toward
trial, when Wallace could issue
a permanent injunction, while
the city also is pursuing a citation in Mercer County District
Court, Farrell, charging Brown
with a zoning violation. A hearing on the citation has been
rescheduled at least twice; it
now stands at Jan. 6.
The city notified Brown Feb.
26 – police Sgt. Brian Robison
testified that he hand-delivered
the notice to Brown — that his
“several” spotlights direct “objectionable direct and reflected glare
on adjoining properties.”
Tuesday, Joe Misinay, Brown’s
neighbor to the east, and Nancy
Raich, who lived across the
street from him until 10 days
ago, testified that their yards
have been lit up by Brown’s
lights for years.
“I don’t want to be outside at
night,” Misinay said. “I can’t use
it,” he said of his property, particularly his back deck.
He said Brown’s lights became
objectionable in 1992 or ‘93,
Last spring and summer, Brown
had nine lights shining on his
house, Misinay said. He also
testified that he covers the two
windows of his home that face
Brown’s with curtains and blankets to darken the interior of his
home.
Raich said the lights “started
out small and got bigger and
bigger. Once they started they
got brighter and brighter.”
LIGHTS, PAGE A5
The New Castle Music Club Chorus rehearses at St. Vitus Church Monday night for its 75th anniversary performance of Handel’s ‘Messiah.’
Grand biblical story
‘Messiah’ ‘thrills’ audiences
in New Castle for 75 years
New Castle News
The first time Gail Peoples
heard Handel’s “Messiah,” she
couldn’t help but wonder why
the chorus couldn’t simply sing
“amen” in two straightforward
syllables.
“My high school teacher had
my sister and me go, back in
1949,” the 84-year-old New
Wilmington resident said, recalling a performance by the New
Castle Music Club Chorus. “We
thought, ‘Why do they have to
say a-ah-ah-ah-men?’ We didn’t
know any better.”
Peoples says despite her first
impression of the famous oratorio, she has grown to love the
“grand biblical story.” In fact,
her love for the “Messiah” has
prompted her to join the chorus
of 61 men and women who will
sing those melodious amens in
the chorus’ 75th anniversary performance at 3 p.m. Nov. 29 at St.
Vitus Church in New Castle.
“Since then, I’ve sung in it
before, and I’ve seen it several
times, and the “Messiah” has
really become important to me,”
Peoples said. “It’s just thrilling.”
CHORUS HISTORY
Director Harry M. Cunningham leads the New Castle Music
Club Chorus in rehearsal for its annual performance of
Handel’s ‘Messiah’ at St. Vitus Church. Cunningham has
directed the chorus for 25 years.
According to its website, The
Music Club Chorus of New
Castle did the first performance
of Handel’s “Messiah” at First
Presbyterian Church in New
Castle in 1939. The chorus origi-
Contributed photo
A program from the New
Castle Music Club Chorus’ 1945
presentation of the “Messiah.”
nally was comprised of members,
associates and friends of the club,
and according to a program on the
club’s website, was directed early
on by Ruth Braham Caldwell.
While the club also performed
other times during the year, the
“Messiah” performance quickly became popular, drawing in
hundreds of singers and packedhouse audiences.
Braham Caldwell directed until
1968, when her health began to
fail, said current director, Harry
Cunningham. During her tenure,
the performances were continual-
Family drug-related deaths prompt woman’s benevolence
fund-raising initiatives in the
direction of the Lawrence County District Attorney’s office.
She applied for grants specifically designated for its
drug fund, and so far has single-handedly generated $1,100
toward the cause in incremental
grants in 2012, 2013 and 2015.
By Debbie Wachter
New Castle News
A chain of tragedies in Janet
Wallace’s life have nudged her
further into a spirit of benevolence.
The 74-year-old widowed
Shenango Township woman says
God was on her side in her getting through life’s crises, which
have included the deaths of her
son, a nephew and a cousin, all
as a result of drug addiction.
She says doing charitable
work is her salvation. She has
designated grant funds she has
raised through the Fraternal
Order of Eagles Ladies Auxiliary
455 for the Lawrence County
Drug Task Force to enable it to
‘MESSIAH’, PAGE A2
OBITUARIES
Paul J. Duda, 88,
Falls Church, Va.
Anne M. Martwinski, 101,
New Castle
Robert G. West, 73,
New Castle
THE ADDICTION STARTS
continue its war on drugs. The
task force investigates the sales
of illegal narcotics in the county
and prosecutes the offenders.
Wallace’s 24-year membership
in the auxiliary has enabled her,
through the years, to give and
help others in need. But when
members of her family fell to
drug addiction, she directed her
Wallace’s son, Daniel, was hit
by a drunk driver while working a job painting the Supreme
Building in New Castle nearly 10
years ago. His doctors prescribed
pain pills — namely oxycodone-based drugs — for the pain
from his lingering injuries.
See Page A5
News Tip
Hotline
(724) 654-6651,
ext. 680
DRUGS, PAGE A3
MAHLE CHIROPRACTIC
Accepting Most Insurances Including … Blue Cross Blue Shield, UPMC and HealthAssurance
Dr. Mitch Mahle • 101 Decker Drive, New Castle, PA • Dr. Burton Nesler, Dr. Kevin Moore
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ncnewsonline.com
Drugs
From page A1
“He was on so much
medicine,” she said. “He
was in so much pain he
could barely move.”
He became addicted to
his medication, and over
the eight to nine years of
his addiction, the drugs
wore on his health and
caused his heart and lungs
to fail, Wallace said.
His doctor initially had
sent him to local pain physician Dr. Van Edward Scott,
for pain management. Scott
now is in a state prison for
having written more than 2
million pain medication prescriptions and contributing
to the opiate addiction of
hundreds of patients, which
added to an already existing
addiction problem in Lawrence County. Before Scott’s
arrest, three other doctors
had been convicted of running an oxycodone prescription mill in Union Township
that also caused many people to become addicts.
Daniel Wallace was in
and out of drug rehabilitation three times, trying to
get off of the medication,
his mother said.
He died of heart failure
on Dec. 2, 2011 at age 46.
He would have been 50
years old this year.
Wallace tried to closely
monitor her son’s drug
intake so that he did not
overdose.
“Some days he was so
down and out. He was very
depressed,” she said. Before
his accident, “he was a
hard worker and a jack of
all trades, so there were
times after that he didn’t
want to live.”
During his years of
incapacitation, his mother
would do work for him,
taking care of his house.
The mother and son were
close, talking to each other
every night and doing
things together.
Debbie Wachter/NEWS
Drug-related tragedies involving family members of
Janet Wallace have prompted her to pursue grant
money for the district attorney’s office, through the
Eagles Auxiliary. Here she is holding publications of
the Eagles, a non-profit organization dedicated to
fund-raising for charitable causes.
increments of $600, $300
and $200, she said, adding, “I’m the only one who
put in through our ladies
auxiliary for any grant.”
She also hopes to apply
for a grant to help the
Highland House, a drug
treatment facility in New
Castle.
“The ladies auxiliary
of the Eagles has been a
longtime supporter of the
FINDING STRENGTH
Wallace, who has turned drug task force efforts,”
Lamancusa said. “Their
to her organization for
contribution is greatly
strength, is a trustee for
appreciated.”
the Eagles auxiliary, and
Lamancusa said the
said she felt the need to
funds have been used
do something for charity
to purchase surveillance
locally.
equipment for narcotics
“I picked the drug task
investigations.
force because of my son
“We appreciate her orgaand because of what’s been
nization partnering with
going on in New Castle”
the task force and trying to
with drugs and crime, she
said. “It’s bad here, and it’s make Lawrence County a
safer place to live,” he said
not just in the city.”
of Wallace’s effort.
Through the auxiliary
Lamancusa said he has
of the Eagles, a non-profit
addressed the organization
charitable organization,
TRAGIC LOSS
One day he called her on Wallace, an auxiliary mem- on two occasions, stressing
ber for many years, applied that the auxiliary is its own
the phone repeatedly. She
entity, and apart from the
for grants designated spewas volunteering at the
Eagles, it raises money to
New Castle Playhouse, and cifically for the drug forfeiture fund. Her husband, give back to the commushe stopped by his house
nity.
early the next morning and Chester, who died in 2001,
The auxiliary also raises
was not a member of the
saw his screen door open
money for other charities
Eagles, but she joined the
but his door was locked.
including the Salvation
group because its cause
She could hear that his
Army, LARK Enterprises,
beckoned her, she said.
television was on and his
the Cray House and cancer
“Our motto is people
window blinds were down.
causes.
helping people for home,
“I knocked and I holNationally, the Eagles has
lered and called him,” Wal- country and God,” she said.
a diabetes center in Iowa
As for the grant money, “I
lace said.
wanted to keep the money where it has a plaque and a
She went to the back
room. It also contributes to
in New Castle.”
door and the chain guard
arthritis foundations.
She attended a political
was on the door, she said,
The state president
event for District Attorney
so she ran next door to
Joshua Lamancusa, and he decides on the auxiliaries’
get help to break in the
charities each year, Wallace
caught her attention with
door. She entered to find
said, explaining that this
his talk about drugs.
him dead on the couch in
“I was very impressed
year’s charity will be the
the living room, looking
with him. I decided that
Pittsburgh Children’s Hos“just like he was asleep”
pital.
and holding a pie that she with all of this going on
with my son, I would see
NASCAR has the Eagles
had made for him.
emblem on one of its racShe learned from a med- if I could get him a grant
through the state.”
ing cars, she said, adding
ical examiner later that he
She obtained letterhead
that the Eagles was the
had died of a heart attack.
stationary from Lamancuorganization that officially
Wallace said she also
sa’s office and submitted
declared Mother’s Day in
lost her 37-year-old nephthe application. She has
May and was instrumental
ew, who had been hurt at
work and became addicted since received money three in starting Social Security.
(Email: dwachter
to oxycodone medications, times from the state for
along with fentanyl patch- his drug-fighting effort in
@ncnewsonline.com)
es. He was on the drugs for
a few years, she recalled.
He overdosed the same
year that her son died, she
said.
The cousin she lost was
also injured on the job
and was on medication
that year. He shot himself
“because he just couldn’t
take it anymore,” she said.
Friday, November 27, 2015
A-3
$88
WORTH OF
COUPONS
IN TODAY’S
PAPER
December 5-6, 2015
Since 1880
Vol. 136 No. 75
Newsstand $1.25
Officials: Six made local
heroin problem worse
By Debbie Wachter
New Castle News
Two drug kingpins and
four doctors were major
contributors to widespread drug addiction in
Lawrence County, law
enforcement officials say.
The Centers for Disease
Control and Prevention
have declared heroin use
an epidemic in the United States. Heroin also is
considered the number
one drug problem in the
Michael
Schmidt Sr.
Dr. William
Mangino
country. In Lawrence
County, misuse of the
illegal opioid painkiller
is resulting in drug overdoses — and sometimes
death — almost daily.
Neshannock
school board
considers
its budget
possibilities
Both law enforcement
leaders have identified
several local sources of
illegal drug sales in recent
Dr. Philip G.
Thomas
Dr. Van
Christopher decades that have led
thousands down the path
Wagman
Wilkins
Edward Scott Klingensmith of addiction to various
Lawrence County District ty since Lamancusa was
illegal narcotics.
Attorney Joshua Lamancu- elected as district attorney
While drugs have been
sa and New Castle police
in 2010, and prior to that,
a problem in Lawrence
chief Bobby Salem have
since Salem worked as a
County for years because of
traced the evolution of her- city narcotics officer in the economy and demographics, increases in the availoin use in Lawrence Coun- 1990s.
ability of various types narcotics have been brought
about by individuals who
have pedaled millions of
dollars’ worth of illegal
drugs on local streets.
“This used to be a
crack town,” Salem
remembers. In the 1980s
and 1990s, crack cocaine
was the drug of choice in
New Castle, he said.
HEROIN, PAGE A3
HIGH SCHOOL BASKETBALL | WEEK 1
By Nancy Lowry
New Castle News
Neshannock Township school
directors do not anticipate raising
taxes beyond the state index of 2.9
percent.
At the board’s workshop session, held prior to the voting
meeting on Thursday, business
manager Justin DiMuccio offered
to prepare an early budget to be
introduced next month.
The Pennsylvania Department
of Education uses a formula based
on tax assessment to establish an
index. School districts may raise
taxes by this percentage. If the district expects to exceed this figure,
voter approval is required.
Under state guidelines, if a
district is planning to increase
property taxes beyond the state-established index, a proposed budget
must be introduced and on public
display by Jan. 27. If the district
will not exceed the state index, the
budget is introduced in May, and
must be adopted by the school
board by June 30.
Introducing an early budget
does not mean the district must
exceed the index, DiMuccio said
during the workshop portion of
Thursday’s meeting. “But it allows
BUDGET, PAGE A3
Remember
these folks? If
you had your
photo taken
last month
at The News
with the jolly
gentleman in
the middle,
you may come
down Monday,
Tuesday or
Wednesday to
pick up your
free 4x6 print.
Tiffany Wolfe/NEWS
The crowd goes wild as the New Castle High basketball team ties the
score against Pittsburgh Perry Traditional Academy last night. The Red
Hurricane won, 72-62, to advance to tonight’s championship game in the
New Castle Tipoff Tournament.
New Castle boys
look solid in opener
High school basketball returned
to the area Friday night and New
Castle High’s boys team started the
season strong.
Marquel Hooker bucketed a
game-high 22 points to lead the
Red Hurricane to a 72-62 win over
Perry Traditional Academy in the
first round of the New Castle Tipoff
Tournament at the Ne-Ca-Hi Field
House.
Three other boys teams claimed
victories — Laurel, Neshannock
and Ellwood City Lincoln. A pair
of girls squads — Neshannock and
Mohawk — also nailed down triumphs on opening night.
Andrew Koob/NEWS
Wilmington’s girls team was the
Neshannock’s
Ethan
Moose
gets
a
breakaway
dunk
lone county squad to be off on the
opening weekend. See Pages B1-B3. in a decisive win over Shenango.
It’s time to pick
up your photos
with Santa
Dozens of families
turned out last month
to have their children’s
pictures taken with Santa
Claus at the New Castle
News.
The News offered the
free opportunity as part
of the city’s annual LightUp Night celebration.
If your children were
among those photographed, good news —
the photos are in and
ready for pick-up. Sim-
ply stop back in at The
News at 27 N. Mercer
St. between 8 a.m. and
5 p.m. Monday, Tuesday
or Wednesday and ask
for your photo at the
counter.
The News hopes these
photos, taken for the
paper by Next Level Photography, will help to
make the holiday season
just a little more festive
for each family that took
part.
OBITUARIES
V. Sue Betley, 78,
New Castle
Louis ‘Lou’ Bova Jr., 83,
Niwot, Colo.
Grace M. DeMark, 97,
Wampum
Marion L. Martin, 84,
Mercer
See Page A5
NEWS TIP? Dial
(724) 654-6651
extension 680
Classified C3-D6 • Puzzles D3 • Horoscope C4 • Community B4-B5 • Comics C2 • Opinion A4 • Real Estate C1 • Sports B1-B3
ncnewsonline.com
Heroin
three
doctors
who ran
From page A1 a pain
Even when other areas clinic
together
of Pennsylvania and the
in Union
nation got hit with the
Township
heroin problem back
Joshua
then, crack remained the and disLamancusa
pensed
number-one drug probthoulem in the city for many
sands of prescriptions for
years.
oxycodone-based drugs
In the mid-2000s, drug
pushers moved into New during 2002 and 2003,
addicting hundreds. They
Castle from Detroit to
were arrested in Septemsell crack. A sweep in
February of 2006 resulted ber of 2004 and charged
with multiple felonies for
in the arrests of 28 dealviolating the state Coners linked to two orgatrolled Substance Drug
nizations from Detroit.
Device and Cosmetic Act
State and local narcotics
and Medicaid fraud.
investigators quickly disThe investigation, conmantled that network by
ducted by the state office
jailing those offenders.
of the attorney general
“As soon as they set up
and the county drug task
here, we took enforceforce, resulted in the prosment action,” Salem said.
ecutions of chiropractor
New Castle is still
Thomas Wilkins and pain
experiencing a smalldoctors Philip G. Wagman
er-scale influx of people
and William Mangino.
from Detroit, Mississippi
People would line up
and Buffalo, N.Y., who
every morning for what
are coming here to deal
prosecutors described
drugs, and the city police, as a “prescription mill,”
as they catch them, are
where the doctors would
arresting them.
be paid cash for writing
prescriptions for massive
OXYS DRUG OF CHOICE quantities of OxyContin
The major Detroit
and other highly addictive
arrests put a dent in the
narcotics.
crack cocaine trade here,
According to court tesand soon prescription
timony, Wilkins would
pain medication, most of refer patients with pain
them oxycodone-based,
to the other two docemerged as the most
tors, who would write
prominent street drugs in prescriptions. All three
Lawrence County, Laman- are serving sentences in
cusa said.
state prisons. Wagman is
“I remember we had
in the state correctional
only two or three heroin
institution at Rockview in
cases a year, then an ille- Centre County. Wilkins is
gal oxycodone epidemic
in the Forest State Correcstarted, and a lot of peotional Institution in Forest
ple became addicted,”
County and Mangino is
Salem said. “Pills were
in the state correctional
easier to get; people got
institution in Albion, Erie
them legally from preCounty.
scriptions, and they were
highly addictive.”
OXY EPIDEMIC
The state office of the
By 2010, the Center
attorney general and the
for Disease Control had
declared prescription pill
Task Force had targeted
abuse to be an epidemfour doctors whom they
ic in the United States,
learned were generating
Lamancusa said.
thousands of prescripLocally, law enforcetions to people for oxyment officials continued
codone, which greatly
investigations that led
promoted the spread of
them to Dr. Van Edward
addictions.
Scott, a pain doctor who
The pill addiction prob- ran an office in New
lem erupted initially with Wilmington. Scott was
sentenced
in June,
2013, to
91/2 to
19 years
in a state
penitentiary and
Bobby
is in Pine
Salem
Grove
State
Correctional Institution in
Indiana.
Scott was said to have
written more than 2.19
million illegal prescriptions for highly addictive
controlled substances,
including oxycodone and
methadone, a drug that
counters opioid addiction. Lamancusa said that
Scott was considered the
second-highest writer
of highly addictive prescription medication in
Pennsylvania in 2009 and
2010.
“Nationally, law
enforcement went after
all of the doctors who
were illegally prescribing pills,” Lamancusa
said. As a result, federal
guidelines became more
stringent for physicians
dispensing prescriptions,
and the doctors became
more conservative in
writing them.
Lamancusa linked the
continued pervasiveness
of the pills to several
local street dealers who
had access to large quantities of prescription medications.
Investigations turned
up information about
drug networks that soon
became the targets of
federal, state and local
investigators. The largest
local street dealer of illegal narcotics, Christopher
Klingensmith, 40, of New
Castle, sold $1 million
worth of pills the year
before his federal grand
jury indictment in July,
2011, Lamancusa said.
Klingensmith, who formerly owned an Italian
bread bakery in New Castle, led a drug sales ring
he operated with at least
seven friends and family
members — including
his father, a brother and
a sister, all in Lawrence
County. All of them were
arrested. Nearly 50,000
oxycodone pills were sold
Teen accused of taking
knife onto school property
A Neshannock Township teen is accused
of taking a knife onto
school property.
Shenango Township
police on Friday charged
18-year-old Phillip
Andrew Massella after
police and Shenango Area
School District officials
allegedly caught him with
a knife in his car.
District superintendent
Mike Schreck said yesterday that Massella was
a Neshannock student
attending a class at the
high school about two
months ago, and administrators at the time found
cause to search his car,
where they found the
weapon.
Additional information from the police was
unavailable Friday afternoon.
Massella is charged
with one count of having
a weapon on school property. He was sent a summons to appear in Central
Court on Jan. 27.
Bessemer bridge now open again
The South Main Street
Bridge in Bessemer Borough is now open to traffic again.
The bridge reopened
Friday, a couple of weeks
ahead of schedule.
The bridge replacement
and reconstruction work
were funded through Act
89, Pennsylvania’s new
transportation legislation.
The work is part of
a $4.88 million project to improve nearly
five miles of road from
Ohio to Mount Jackson
Road (Route 108). Road
improvements included
milling and resurfacing
of Route 317, base repair,
Don’t litter.
Let’s clean
up our county.
shoulder reconstruction,
signal upgrades, wheelchair curb cut ramp
upgrades, pavement
marking and rumble strip
installation, replacement
12
of the bridge at the intersection of Route 317 and
South Main Street, and
sign improvements.
The prime contractor
was Lindy Paving.
DAYS OF
Christmas
Sale
Monday, December 7
CHRISTMAS: A GIFT FOR EVERY
HEART by Charles F. Stanley
… one day only … $5.97
Tuesday, December 8
SAVING CHRISTMAS Kirk Cameron, DVD
Wednesday, December 9
IT’S CHRISTMAS by MercyMe CD
Get connected
724-658-1626
2416 Wilmington Road, New Castle
Holiday Hours: Mon.-Fri. 10am-6pm, Sat. 10am-5pm
during the conspiracy,
according to information
from the U.S. Attorney’s
office in Pittsburgh. Klingensmith, as a result, is
serving 171/2 to 30 years
in a federal prison.
As part of the investigation, “We tracked
pill sales to three or
four mid-level dealers,”
Lamancusa said.
Saturday, December 5, 2015
Budget
From page A1
A-3
Lifetime Learning. Retired
teachers provided by the agency, tutor students in remedial
math for the Keystone exam.
•Named district solicitor
Michael Bonner as chief negotiator in the upcoming teacher
contract negotiations. The
teachers’ contract expires at
the end of the current school
year.
•Approved a family medical
leave for first-grade teacher
Rebeka Harlan, beginning
about Feb. 5. She expects to
return at the beginning of the
2016-17 school year.
•Approved unpaid family
leave for paraprofessional
Cindy Tappe from Dec. 14
through Jan. 12.
•Hired Julie Garda as choreographer for the school musical. She will be paid $2,346.
•Added Christina McIltrot
and Christine Shearer to the
elementary substitute teacher
list.
•Added Joline Urban and
Darcy Downing to the substitute secretary, paraprofessional
and playground supervisor list.
•Approved the sale of
property at 157 Cathcart Drive,
held in the Lawrence County
Repository. The sale, for $500,
is conditional upon approval of
the taxing bodies who include
the school district, township
and county.
•Named board member
Karen Houk as Pennsylvania
School Board Association Legislative council representative for
one year and appointed board
member James McFarland as
the district’s representative on
the Lawrence County Careers
and Technical Center representative for two years.
(Email: nlowry
@ncnewsonline.com)
us the option.”
DiMuccio said he could
have a proposed spending
plan ready for the board’s
Jan. 14 meeting, and it
could go on public display.
He was told to save himself the effort.
“There are five (board
THEN COMES HEROIN members) who will vote
Pill availability was
no to raising taxes above
drastically reduced and
the index,” board member
the national economy
Karen Houk said. “This
made it expensive to
gives the impression that
maintain a pill habit, not we will.”
just in Lawrence County
She added that an estibut throughout Pennsylmated 50 percent of the
vania, Lamancusa said.
district’s taxpayers are on
Since it was harder for
fixed incomes.
dealers to get prescripNew board president
tions, addicts turned to
P.J. Copple noted that the
heroin because it was
school board raised taxes
cheaper, easier to get, and last year.
it gave them the same
“We don’t want to (raise
type of high, Salem said.
taxes) in back-to-back
The next target was
years,” he said.
Michael Schmidt Sr., the
Board member Raymond
alleged head of a heroOmer seemed to favor
in ring that involved 12
DiMuccio’s suggestion.
dealers. They all were
He noted the district
arrested in June of 2014
does not yet know what it
following a year-long
will get from the state —
investigation by local,
for the current year or for
state and federal authornext year — or what penities.
sion and insurance costs
The group was accused will be.
of distributing heroin in
“We should leave our
the New Castle area, with options open,” he said. “If
street sales ranging from
we don’t get state or fed$3 million to $6 million
eral money, how can we
in the 12 months prior
operate a school?”
to their arrests. Schmidt
The board also:
is scheduled for trial in
•Approved a memorandum
early 2016 in the Lawof understanding between the
rence County courts.
district and Neshannock TownLamancusa had said at ship Education Association
the time that the Schmidt regarding a contract the district
organization was by far
makes with Lawrence County
the single-largest distributor of heroin in the
Christmas
county, averaging sales of
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— PAGE B1
Monday
December 7, 2015
Since 1880
Vol. 136 No. 76
Newsstand 75¢
Police seek remedies for heroin problems
By Debbie Wachter
New Castle News
Contributed photo
This photo from the federal Drug Enforcement
Administration’s website is of various types of stamps
that might be seen on heroin stamp bags.
(Part of a continuing series)
A day without an emergency call
for an overdose in Lawrence County is considered a good day by
ambulance crews.
Assistant New Castle fire chief
Mike Kobbe said Friday that from
Jan. 1 until now, the department has responded to 167 overdose-type calls, and of those, 126
were for apparent opioid overdoses
with people barely breathing or not
breathing at all. Those numbers
don’t include the ambulance calls
for heroin overdoses elsewhere
in the county, which have been
occurring almost daily.
In recent weeks, paramedics and
emergency medical technicians
were called to at least three local
restaurants, where heroin addicts
using the restrooms have been
found on the floors unresponsive
from heroin overdoses.
Kobbe noted that heroin users
typically go to a place where they
are alone to inject it.
Three people recently died of
POLICE, PAGE A3
Obama: U.S.
will defeat
terror threat’s
new phase
HOLIDAY HAPPENINGS
Sam Luptak/NEWS
Children surround St. Nikolas on Saturday morning at Bessemer Presbyterian Church.
Bessemer church celebrates St. Nikolas
Nathan Leslie, senior
pastor at the church for
the last eight years. LesThere was a time before lie and the congregation
Santa Claus.
hope to see it grow bigger
It was long before he
each year.
first mounted his sleigh
Leslie said he recogwith his reindeer and
nizes that having a celedelivered presents to
bration for a saint is not
good little girls and boys
common in Protestant
around the world; before denominations, but he
a fat, jolly elf made toys
always has been drawn to
and became a symbol of
the real-life St. Nikolas.
the commercial aspects of
“I have always read
the Christmas season.
about St. Nikolas, his
Before all of that, there generosity and his love
for Christ, as well as
was St. Nikolas.
the example he set for
St. Nikolas the man
us all,” Leslie said. “In
lived in the 4th century
in Turkey and was a bish- doing something to point
to Christmas’ true meanop of the early church
ing, we decided to have
known for his generosity
and secret gift giving. It is this event. We wanted to
educate the kids about St.
upon this early Christian
Nikolas and have some
saint and father of the
faith that the Santa Claus fun too.”
Upon arriving at the
legends are based.
event, visitors were asked
It was this St. Nikolas,
not Santa Claus, that was to leave their shoes at
the door, as is tradition.
celebrated Saturday at
When kids and adults
Bessemer Presbyterian
alike returned to their
Church. It was a mornshoes, they found them
ing that included games,
filled with chocolate goldcrafts, activities, stories
en coins, to symbolize the
and legends and even
real gold coins that the
a visit from St. Nikolas
real life saint regularly
himself.
The first-time event was would leave in the shoes
the brainchild of Pastor
NIKOLAS, PAGE A3
apparent overdoses inside of car
washes in and just outside of the
city, he said, and one man overdosed in his car outside of a video
rental store on the city’s North
Hill just Wednesday night. In that
latter case, the person’s life was
saved because someone noticed
him in his car and called 911, and
the quick-acting opioid antidote
drug called Narcan was administered.
Narcan, also known as naloxone, administered by injection or
inhalation, instantly revives most
opiate overdoses cases. But there
are an unlucky few who cannot be
revived in time and meet untimely
deaths.
By Sam Luptak Jr.
New Castle News
WASHINGTON (AP)
— In a rare Oval Office
address, President
Barack Obama vowed
Sunday night the U.S.
will overcome a new
phase of the terror
threat that seeks to
“poison the minds” of
people here and around
the world, as he sought
to reassure Americans shaken by recent
attacks in Paris and California.
“I know that after so
much war, many Americans are asking whether
we are confronted by
a cancer that has no
immediate cure,” he
said, speaking from
a lectern in his West
Wing office. “The threat
from terrorism is real,
but we will overcome
it,” he declared.
The president’s
speech followed
Wednesday’s shooting
in San Bernardino,
Calif., that killed 14
people and wounded 21.
Authorities say a couple
carried out the attack
and the wife pledged
allegiance to the Islamic
State and its leader in a
Facebook post.
Obama said that
while there was no evidence the shooters were
directed by a terror network overseas or part of
a broader plot, “the two
of them had gone down
the dark path of radicalization.”
“This was an act of
terrorism designed to
kill innocent people,”
he said in the 13-minute
address.
In speaking from the
Oval Office, Obama
turned to a tool of the
presidency that he has
used infrequently. His
decision to speak in
prime time reflected
the White House’s concern that his message
on the recent attacks
TERROR, PAGE A2
‘Cadillac tax’ could snare
some state health plans
By John Finnerty
CNHI News Service
Dan Irwin/NEWS
31/2,
Cecilia Cochran,
draws a snowman at the
Pokeberry Exchange. Pictures drawn there were
turned into holiday greeting cards, which could be
picked up later in the day.
Downtown merchants
association hosts tour
By Dan Irwin
New Castle News
Stories, cookies, crafts
and music all were a
part of the second annual Holly Jolly Holiday
Express on Saturday in
New Castle.
Sponsored by New
Visions for Lawrence
County and the Down-
town Merchants Association, the six-hour event
imagined a train trip
through the downtown
with stops at various stations for holiday-themed
activities.
Among other places,
the walking tour — divided into groups, each
TOUR, PAGE A3
HARRISBURG -- As
lawmakers grapple with
an unfinished budget,
Obamacare is threatening to send a multi-million dollar stink bomb
for budgets just around
the bend.
As soon as 2018, the
state could be forced to
pay a so-called “Cadillac tax” that, under the
Affordable Care Act,
penalizes employers
who offer expensive
health insurance benefits to their workers.
The money is
meant to fund other
Obamacare provisions,
such as subsidizing
insurance for those who
can’t afford coverage.
The Congressional Budget Office estimates the
tax will generate $87
billion over a decade.
Critics say the bar for
high-end health insurance plans is set too
low, and too many will
HEALTH, PAGE A2
OBITUARIES
Frances Hamed Allay, 103,
Jameson Care Center
Twila Mae Armstrong, 85,
New Wilmington
James E. Bintrim, 93,
New Castle
Florence Vernino, 99,
Katherine Street
Anna Wyllie White, 85,
New Castle
See Page A5
Classified B4-B10 • Puzzles B6 • Horoscope B5 • Community A8-A10 • Comics A7 • Opinion A4 • Sports B1-B3
ncnewsonline.com
Police
From page A1
“I’ve been doing emergency medical services for
25 years, and I’ve never
seen it this bad,” Kobbe
said of the overdose problem. “It’s tragic.”
NARCAN,
THE LIFESAVER
Drug trends have shifted away from oxycodone
use because the Food
and Drug Administration
and the Drug Enforcement Administration have
facilitated a change in
the composition of the
pills, Kobbe explained.
Now when the pills are
melted down, they turn
Dan Irwin/NEWS into a gummy substance
A group leaves The Confluence on Saturday afternoon that won’t pass through a
syringe, he said.
for the start of the Holly Jolly Holiday Express tour.
Therefore, heroin has
together.”
become a drug of choice
Additional businesses
because it is easier to
signed on for the secinject, he said.
ond year of the Express,
Kobbe added that herFrom page A1 expanding it from a
oin is more affordable
three- to six-hour event.
and it is easy to obtain,
with its own “conducNew Visions publicized
so more and more drug
tor” — visited the New
its itinerary in advance
abusers are turning to it
Castle Public Library
so that anyone who
as their drug of choice,
for a reading of “The
could not, or did not
sometimes with lethal
Polar Express,” Pokeberwant to be involved with results.
ry Exchange to create a
the full slate could join
The city fire department
holiday card, Lovelight
the tour at any time.
was trained in the use of
Boutique to make an
Constant estimated
Narcan and obtained the
ornament, and the North
medicine in October this
Street Shops and Kennedy that about 40 people
Square for entertainment turned out at the Conflu- year. Since then, crew
ence for the start of the
members have adminisand cookies.
tour — which was pretered the drug four times,
At Haney’s Comfort
ceded by the opportunity Kobbe reported. While
Living Furniture, particfor photos with Santa — the department’s first priipants wrote out things
but that more would turn ority is to get or keep a
they loved about New
out as the day went on.
person ventilated until an
Castle on colorful cards,
“That’s what ended up
ambulance arrives, there
which were returned to
happening last year,” she were more cases where
the Confluence — the
noted.
the Narcan was adminisstart the tour — to be
Between stations, Con- tered by the ambulance
attached to a special garstant said, conductors
staff, he said.
land.
included a “think and
Luke DeRosa, Noga
Prizes and a showing
thank walk,” in which
Ambulance Service chief
of “The Polar Express”
their group members
of operations, estimated
movie at the Riverplex
theater helped round out were encouraged to think that in the past five years,
of something for which
the incidence of Narcan
the event.
they are thankful, and to use by ambulance person“There are a lot of
nel for opiate overdoses
businesses in this region share it.
“We are want to
has increased by 30 perof town, and they all
change the mentality of
cent.
wanted to do someNew Castle,” she said.
Because of the epidemthing for the holidays,”
“Some times, there’s a
ic, the laws have change
explained Martha Conlot of negativity, but we
to allow emergency medstant, a New Visions
volunteer who headed up want people to recognize ical technicians who are
all the good things that
trained by Emergency
the event. “They all had
are here.”
Medical Services to also
different ideas on what
(Email: d_irwin
carry and administer the
to do, but I had this idea
drug. They are more liketo try to link them the all @ncnewsonline.com)
ly to give it via a nasal
atomizer, which is just as
effective as the injections,
he said.
“Both of those are 100
percent effective” if the
overdose involves an
opiate-based drug, he
said. “We have a lot of
success rate with it.”
Tour
Monday, December 7, 2015
ed by the federal Drug
Enforcement Administration, heroin is not, and
can have different potency or different chemicals
or drugs mixed in it,
unbeknownst to the user.
Anthony Lagnese, a
New Castle police officer
who formerly worked
in narcotics, noted that
because heroin is clandestinely manufactured,
the users don’t know who
made it or what is in it,
and there are no standards.
As a result, the county
sees people overdosing
from heroin overdoses
in three different ways,
Lamancusa explained.
One is when heroin is
mixed with other substances such as the pain
killer fentanyl, which can
be a deadly combination, depending upon the
user’s chemistry.
Lamancusa noted that
deadly heroin routinely
adulterated with other
substances is coming
largely from Pittsburgh,
whereas, most overdoses from Detroit- and
Youngstown-originating
heroin are primarily a
result of purity.
The second way heroin
is fatal is when someone,
accustomed to using a
certain quantity or quality, or a first-time user,
takes more of the drug
than the body can handle,
Lamancusa said. If someone stops using heroin for
awhile, then goes back to
using, he or she often will
use the amount that was
used last but cannot handle that dosage anymore.
Then an overdose occurs
and shuts down the person’s respiratory system
and can cause death, he
explained.
The third way a heroin
overdose occurs is if the
heroin is purer and thus
more potent than what a
person is used to using,
he said.
MANY DANGERS
Narcan is not a save-all,
Lamancusa cautioned.
In 2012, there were 2.5
million emergency room
visits from misuse and
abuse of prescription
pain killers in the United States. Now, deaths
from pills have dropped
dramatically, and heroin
overdoses have doubled
in two years in all age
groups, both sexes and
all races, Lamancusa
said, citing statistics from
the Centers for Disease
Control and Prevention
website.
“We’ve been targeting
heroin dealers for two
years,” he said of Lawrence County’s narcotics
investigators.
Lamancusa pointed out
that heroin is the most
dangerous threat, noting
that 90 to 95 percent of
the usage also is a nexus
to such other crime as
burglaries, robberies and
theft.
Lagnese noted that the
number of gold and pawn
stores has grown, where
people try to take stolen
items to trade for more
money to buy drugs.
New Castle police chief
Bobby Salem noted that
pawn shops have mandatory reporting requirements through the district
attorney’s office, so the
police can track what is
sold and hopefully find
stolen goods that can lead
them to the offenders. A
local pawn shop in downtown New Castle recently
was purchased by a city
police officer, who is
helping to track merchandise that originated with
crime.
ATTACKING
THE PROBLEM
In addition to attacking the heroin problem
through investigations
and arrests of the dealers,
locally authorities and
treatment agencies are
taking a multi-pronged
approach, Lamancusa
said. They are helping
addicts get into rehabilitation and the county drug
court, which helps addicts
with nonviolent criminal
offenses work their way
toward getting jobs and
Sam Luptak/NEWS
Chase Henry, a Mohawk kindergartner, decorates a
cookie before he devours it at Saturday’s event.
always pointed to Jesus in
what he said and the way
he lived his life.
“His generosity, and
From page A1
love of Christ truly are
on the doorsteps, or in
what Christmas is all
the stockings hung by the about.”
fire to dry, for the poor of
(Email: ncliving
his village.
@ncnewsonline.com)
Joe Geramita works
at the Center for At-Risk
Teens. He donned the
suit to portray the saint
for questions and photos with the youngsters.
He said it was fun and
exciting to learn who St.
Nikolas really was and to
bring him to life for the
children participating in
the event.
In addition to doughnuts, an ornament craft,
decorating cookies and
then eating them, and
CEDAR MANOR
a visit with St. Nikolas
himself, families also were
asked to bring a gift for
Toys for Tots in the spirit of St. Nikolas’ giving
nature. Kids gladly showed
off the gifts they brought
to share with others.
“St. Nikolas is a perfect
symbol of the Christmas
season,” Leslie said. “He
Nikolas
HARRISBURG (AP) —
Pennsylvania’s governor
called on a state Supreme
Court justice to resign
Sunday over his involvement in swapping emails
containing lewd images
and other objectionable
content, part of a scandal
that has roiled the state’s
legal system.
Gov. Tom Wolf said
Justice Michael Eakin was
OFFICIAL
GAME PIECE
724-654-8050
2593 Benjamin
Franklin Highway
New Castle
www.cedarmanor.net
complicit in sharing racist, sexist and otherwise
derogatory content — and
attempted to add a member to the judicial ethics
panel that may soon have
to review his role in the
email ring.
Eakin’s lawyer, Bill
Costopoulos, told The
Associated Press the justice does not intend to
step down.
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living drug-free, responsible lives.
“Every prosecution
in this office has had a
direct effect on families
and defendants who have
heroin problems,” Lamancusa said. “Personally, I’ve
done five interventions at
the requests of families,
and I’ve helped at least 10
addicts into rehabilitation
with the Lawrence County
Drug and Alcohol Commission and private rehabilitation centers.”
Salem said there is
no way to stop the drug
problems, but in addition
to making arrests and
offering rehabilitative
programs, the police are
focusing on youth programs to steer children
and teens in a positive
direction.
The New Castle police
sponsor a program called
Police Leading Active
Youth, and their work
with youngsters involves
mentoring a runner’s club,
sponsoring a boxing lesson program, conducting
basketball clinics, and
sponsoring softball, carnivals and lock-ins at the
New Castle Community
Y. Additionally, police
have chaperoned students
on buses to out-of-town
school sporting events.
The New Castle City
Police PLAY program
is designed to promote
trust and understanding
between young people
and police officers, Salem
said.
“The program is based
on the thought that
young people — if they
are reached early enough
— can develop strong,
positive attitudes toward
police officers and the
law.”
(Email: dwachter
@ncnewsonline.com)
Governor: High court
justice should step down
HEROIN
ORIGINS, RISKS
District Attorney Joshua Lamancusa said that
much of the local heroin
originated from a cartel in
Samoa that sells to Mexico, and then drugs come
from Mexico to the bigger
cities in the U.S.
A triangle of cities that
has pushed heroin into
the forefront in Lawrence
County includes Detroit,
Youngstown and Pittsburgh, he said. A stamp
bag, which typically
contains a single dose of
heroin, costs between $8
to $10.
He pointed out that
while pills are regulat-
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Student concussions spark suit against PIAA
A group of attorneys are
suing the Pennsylvania Interscholastic Athletic Association
for three youths who suffered
sports-related concussions.
Attorneys representing one
former New Castle high school
female athlete and two former
male athletes from New Castle
and Ellwood City have filed the
class action lawsuits against
the organization, accusing it
of neglecting to protect middle-and high school athletes
from concussions and residual
problems.
The suit is on behalf of:
•Jonathan Hites of Neshannock Township, who suffered
a concussion as a high school
freshman playing football
for Neshannock High School
Amodie
spends
nearly
$67,000
on judicial
campaign
C
during a summer football camp
at Slippery Rock University.
•Kaela Zingaro of New Castle, who was injured in a softball game in June 2014, while
trying to make a diving catch
during the game. She suffered a
concussion and a whiplash.
•Samuel Teolis of Ellwood
City, whose son, Domenic Teolis, a 17-year-old senior at Lin-
coln High School, who suffered
multiple concussions during
football practice and competitive games as a freshman.
The suit was filed in the
Lawrence County Court of
Common Pleas by the Texas-based class action law firm
of Carpenter and Schumacher, P.C., and the local firms
of Robert Peirce & Associates
oming
lean
By John K. Manna
New Castle News
District Judge Melissa A.
Amodie spent nearly $67,000
on her general election campaign for Lawrence County
common pleas court judge.
Amodie, who lost her bid for
the post to attorney David H.
Acker in the November election, eclipsed all other local
candidates in spending, according to expense reports filed at
the courthouse.
One report covered the period through Oct. 19 and the
other through Nov. 23. The
deadline for candidates to file
post-election reports was Dec.
3.
For the general election
campaign, Amodie’s committee reported expenses totaling
$48,079.17 plus $18,850.43
in unpaid debts and obligations. Her contributions
totaled $45,550 which included
$40,000 of her money.
Her post-election report
showed contributions of
$16,750, which included
$15,000 of her money. She
also had contributions of $500
apiece from Operating Engineers Local 66 and Dominic J.
Amato.
Amodie’s personal report
showed her contributing
$18,850.43 to the committee
to cover the unpaid debts and
obligations.
She was the top spender
throughout the primary and
AMODIE, PAGE A5
P.C., Bellissimo & Peirce and
Medure, Bonner, Bellissimo,
Peirce & Daley.
The complaint accuses the
PIAA, a statewide athletic association, of failing to develop
and enforce rules regulating
athletic competition of member
schools. It contends that the
Resources, programs
and support available to
help recovering addicts
By Lugene Pezzuto
New Castle News
It took going to the
depths of hell and wanting
to die for Stephanie Helle
to finally realize she was a
drug addict.
There were times she
came close to leaving this
Earth, and she vividly
recalls those trips by ambulance to the hospital.
“I’m not a bad person,”
Helle said. “I made bad
choices.”
Helle now knows there is
hope and many places to
turn to in Lawrence County
to get help.
She is involved in a local
12-step program that is
faith-based.
And she has been clean
for about 11 months.
Helle believes in hope.
And she believes there are
lots of people ready to help
those who are addicted.
PROGRAMS TO HELP
Contributed photo
Stephanie Helle
The holidays can be
difficult for many people
and for those who have a
dependency on alcohol or
drugs, that problem can be
magnified this time of year.
In Lawrence County,
there are treatment options
and support groups.
State House GOP
challenges Senate’s
budget package
AP
Members of the press talk to Senate Appropriations Committee Chairman Pat
Browne following the Senate Appropriations Committee in Harrisburg.
HARRISBURG (AP) — The
Pennsylvania Capitol became
suddenly quiet Friday as the
House began to consider
hundreds of pages of just-unveiled legislation sent over
by the Senate in a lurching
effort to end the state government’s five-month stalemate.
House Republicans
showed no signs of willingness to accept the Senate’s
legislation.
“It’s quite a package,”
SUIT, PAGE A5
House Speaker Mike Turzai
told reporters. “There are
open issues in each and
every area.”
The Republican-controlled
Senate adjourned Thursday
night after a marathon week
of passing major bills that
authorize $30.8 billion in
spending, overhaul public
pension benefits and smash
state control over the sale of
wine. The last bill it passed
First, someone must
admit they have a problem,
said Matt Russick, who is
committed to a 12-step program.
Life is now a beautiful
journey for Russick, 31, of
New Castle. But it wasn’t
always that way.
He has been clean since
February 2013 and now
works as a certified recovery specialist, and a coach
and recovery supervisor at
Brooktree Health Services,
a treatment program of
Greater Pittsburgh Sober
Living.
Before people end up at a
treatment facility, however,
they must be assessed by
a Single County Authority
(SCA). There is a SCA in
each county in Pennsylvania. Locally, it is Lawrence
Commission, which handles all county assessments
and referrals to treatment.
According to Julie Jendrysik, case management
supervisor, the main
options for treatment
include intervention, outpatient, intensive outpatient,
detox, and residential and
halfway houses.
Her agency contracts out
CLEAN, PAGE A3
OBITUARIES
Joseph Galmarini, 83,
Wampum
Ann Mastropietro, 98,
Kissimmee, Fla.
James Patterson, 89,
Enon Valley
See Page A5
NEWS TIP? Dial
(724) 654-6651
BUDGET, PAGE A6
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ncnewsonline.com
Mentors help steer the
way toward recovery
Saturday, December 12, 2015
A-3
Clean
about nine months.”
take of addicts.”
Helle attends about
Every five years, she
three meetings a week
went from one drug to
From page A1 another — marijuana to
and has a sponsor.
amphetamines to drinking
HELP AND HOPE
to four possible outpaand doing cocaine.
“The amazing thing
tient facilities — White
“People don’t think
about this field is that
Deer Run, Community
and is dedicated to helping too.
they’re an addict because the longer I am in it, the
By Lugene Pezzuto
Alternatives, New Horiothers.
A group called CeleNew Castle News
they switch,” Helle
more amazed I am with
Two and a half years
brate Recovery is a 12-step zons Treatment Center
explained.
the many individuals that
and
Highland
House.
Reach out. Help is there. after she started treatment, program for hurts, habits,
When she learned her
are in recovery in our
There are many conThat’s the message of
she was helping others
and hang-ups based on
sister had stomach cancommunity,” Jendrysik
tracts for detox and resiLawrence County Drug
who were in the same sit- Scripture. The program
cer, drugs helped to kill
said. “They are just anondential, and they are not
and Alcohol Commission,
uation.
originated in the Saddle
the emotional pain, Helle ymous, many of them, so
which offers free recovery
“I work with men and
Back Church, in California, in-house, Jendrysik said.
said, adding that before
it is easy to focus on the
“These are levels of
support services.
women from ages 18 to
when the Rev. John Baker,
her sister died, she had
problem at times.”
care that we send indiThose are overseen by
80,” she said.
an alcoholic himself,
stopped using cocaine
Drug addiction can
viduals out of county for.
certified recovery specialBoyd and Olinger also do sought Christian-based
and alcohol but added
touch
anyone, Russick
You can come through
ists Charlie Olinger and
outreach in the jail, hospi- recovery.
pain pills like OxyContin
said, noting he will conour
office
whether
you
Mildred Boyd.
tal and crisis shelter.
In this area, the group
to the mix.
tinually be involved in
have insurance or not; we
The mentoring and
“They are mentors and
meets from 7 to 9 p.m.
The worst part wasn’t
some type of training
coaching programs help
resource brokers,” JendTuesday at Epworth United will assist either way. You losing material things but, to keep his certification
people through early recov- rysik explained. “This is a Methodist Church and 7 to just have to be a Law“A spiritual bankruptcy,
active and is focused on
rence County resident,”
ery, said Julie Jendrysik,
free and voluntary service 9 p.m. Thursday at New
an emptiness and broken- helping others to recover.
she said.
case management supervi- that is designed to meet
Life Baptist Church, New
ness.”
“I’m here to share my
To get help, a person
sor at the agency.
individuals where they are Wilmington.
ALL
THINGS
story
and be an open
just has to call (724)
Boyd runs the family
in their own personal jourAccording to Jendrysik,
book,
and be an ear to
ARE
POSSIBLE
658-5580 or come into
intervention program,
ney to recovery. The indiLawrence County Drug
the
people
who need to
Looking
back,
Helle
which was started because vidual is guided through
and Alcohol’s family inter- the office where services
talk.”
said
she
didn’t
know
how
are free and confidenmany calls come from fam- a recovery plan, which
vention program allows a
After speaking at a
to express emotions or
tial, she said, adding a
ily members and parents of helps the individual learn
chance to educate yourschool
when he worked
deal
with
feelings,
and
short screening is done to
individuals who are strug- coping skills and find the
self about addiction and
for
Lawrence
County
drugs
were
her
coping
determine appointment
gling with a substance use resources available for the recovery, discover what
Drug
and
Alcohol,
severmechanism
to
numb
the
needs.
disorder.
goals they would like to
can be done of your own
al
students
approached
pain.
The office has prior“This gives them an out- achieve.”
wellness, hear testimonies
Russick and were crying,
She finally recognized
ity populations, which
let and a place to feel safe
Boyd and Olinger have
of someone’s journey to
he said.
that
she
needed
help.
include
adolescents,
pregto share their frustrations,” helped people in recovery
recover, find a comfortable
“If they had a family
Her
five-year-old
daughnant women, intravenous
Jendrysik said. “Mildred
find housing, employment place to share your story,
member
or friend who
ter
at
the
time
asked
her,
is wonderful at giving
and support through the
become familiar with avail- drug users and those who
is
addicted,
they were
“Why
do
you
do
those
advice and feedback that
recovery community.
able services in the county have recently overdosed.
touched.”
bad
things?”
In fiscal year 2014-15,
is not enabling the addict/
Recently, a Warm Line
and help build a support
Dan Bailey, whose son
Helle, whose daughter
case managers at the
alcoholic but is helping to was started at the recovery system.
is
an addict, said he and
is
now
9,
also
has
two
agency assessed 964
guide the family down the center. Staff answers calls
Boyd said the program
his
wife, Terri, are deeply
sons,
who
are
4
and
5.
right path.”
from 5 to 10 p.m. Tuesday is for any parent or family individuals, according to
committed
to advocate
She
used
methadone
to
Jendrysik.
Many times, with no
through Saturday.
member who has a loved
for
addiction
recovery
withdraw
from
drugs,
had
Case managers are
intervention, the family
Jendrysik pointed out
one struggling with addicand
provide
awareness,
a
few
slips
and
weaned
scheduled to see about
member can become sick- that this is not an emertion or alcoholism. The
education and prevention
off the methadone four
three individuals from
er than the person who is gency line but rather a
group meets from 6 to 7
information in this area.
years
ago.
Lawrence County per day
struggling with the alcohol resource to give individuals p.m. every Wednesday at
“When we became
But
in
September
or drug, Jendrysik said,
information about meeting 20 E. Washington St., sec- Monday through Friday
aware
of friends that
of
2014,
she
got
bad
“We are primarily
noting it is a very helpless times, how to find a spon- ond floor.
were
experiencing
addicmigraines
and
received
seeing that opiates and
feeling.
sor and how to get help
“You need to be edution
through
their
son
a
prescription
pain
medheroin are a major reason
Boyd has been there.
for their drug or alcohol
cated about the disease,”
or daughter, Terri and I
ication, not revealing to
She was 22 years clean
program.
Boyd said. “Just not using for individuals seeking
wanted to help,” Bailey
doctors
that
she
was
an
or being told to seek
on Aug. 4. She went from
To talk to one of the cer- is now my lifestyle. Once
said. “We wanted to help
addict.
help,” she said. “The old
being constantly drug-intified recovery specialists at I got clean, I stayed clean
alleviate their pain and
“Our
brains
don’t
know
term of gateway drugs is
duced to becoming a certhe Warm Line call (724)
and I haven’t relapsed.”
help them deal with the
the
difference
between
a
still a real statistic for us
tified recovery specialist
698-7491.
(Email: lpezzuto
unawareness, the denidoctor
giving
it
to
us
or
though.”
and life skills technician,
There are other outlets,
@ncnewsonline.com)
al, the self-blame, the
getting
it
off
the
street,”
Jendrysik menenabling and try to help
she
said.
tioned that the agency
them get their child into
Treatment
and
a
lot
of
receives many referrals
the hands of professionals
classes
that
taught
her
for persons who have
and on the road to the
about
the
disease
has
been affected by their
hope and faith of recovhelped
a
lot,
Helle
said.
marijuana and alcohol
ery.”
“It’s
the
longest
I’ve
use/abuse.
Bailey said the couple
been
clean
since
high
“If we see someone
representative for Nargroup is available for anyconsiders itself lucky, as
school.
My
kids
made
me
By Lugene Pezzuto
who has been to our
Anon. Her group meets
one who needs support,
Brandon is still alive.
want to go straight.”
New Castle News
office multiple times, we
at 6 p.m. every Thursday and everybody in the
“I cannot imagine the
Everyone
remembers
are suggesting that they
Hope is the refrain of
at Shenango Presbyterian family needs to do their
extreme pain of losing a
the
date
they
stopped
run the entire course of
anyone trying to overchild, let alone losing a
using.
Church in Neshannock
part.”
treatment and eventually
come addiction.
For Helle, it was Dec. 3, child to a disease that you
Township.
The disease of addicjust self-care through AA/
But it’s not just the
were in a sense powerless
2014.
Nar-Anon is for friends tion is difficult for many
NA meetings or other
addict who is affected.
Others can do it, too,
to change its course.”
and families of addicts,
people to understand and support systems.”
Family members and
she said, and noted there
For Helle, “This doesn’t
Hogue said, adding the
see that a person is sufONE WOMAN’S STORY is much help available.
other loved ones often
discriminate. It crosses
program has been place
fering, Hogue explained.
Helle traveled many
feel helpless.
She went to an inpaall economic and social
in Lawrence County for
She believes there is
roads
to reach recovery.
Support and help for
tient facility where she
areas.
six years.
not another similar group
When she was 17, she
those who are close to
was
detoxed
during
a
“I pray everyday to go
Just as the name indinearby, so people travel
started smoking marijua- 14-day period.
someone who is addicted
the way I’m going,” she
cates it is anonymous,
from places like Grove
na to fit in.
is important.
“They make it as comsaid. “People prayed for
which means that whatCity, Mercer and Erie to
“I worked during high
Al-Anon is a
fortable as possible, but
me, and it absolutely
ever is said in a meeting
attend the meetings.
school to support my
long-standing self-help
it’s
hard,”
Helle
said.
helped. There are supstays in that room, she
Those sessions follow
habit. It got to be daily.”
organization for family
“I
couldn’t
do
it
on
my
port groups out there.
mentioned.
the discussions approved
Then she started sellmembers and friends of
own.”
I couldn’t have done it
“This
is
a
message
for
by
Al-Anon
headquarters.
ing drugs and went to
people who have alcohol
It took two more weeks without them.”
anyone
who
hesitates
There
is
a
book
and
every
cocaine powder.
and drug use problems.
to stabilize after the
Helle’s goal is to never
— it’s anonymous. Your
week there is a topic,
“The lifestyle gets
Al-Anon is based on the
detoxification
process,
touch
anything again.
identity won’t be put out Hogue said. Some weeks
addicting. Making money then she went to White
steps and principles of
“If
I
can do it, others
there.”
are open and at other
was addicting. I was mak- Deer Run.
Alcoholics Anonymous
can.
You
have to want it.
Hogue, who was close
times, there may be a
ing $1,000 a day.”
(AA).
“Most people stay on
God is there to help.”
to
people
struggling
speaker.
Helle graduated from
The message of
for three months. I stayed
(Email: lpezzuto
with addiction, said
“You’re among people
New Castle High School,
Al-Anon for family
on
until
I
got
a
job,
after
@ncnewsonline.com)
she believes that when
who understand what
completed a year of colmembers is that you are
addiction strikes a family, you’re going through,”
lege and did some modvaluable and need to
she said, noting some
take care of yourself, you everyone is sick.
eling.
She said it took her a
members connect after
are not responsible for
Amphetamine use was
year to realize that she
the meetings to have cof- next. She said she needed
the person who is using
fee and make friends in a it to keep up with two
alcohol or drugs and you was an an enabler — a
position that many family more relaxed setting.
shouldn’t make threats
jobs, school and to stay
members find themselves
“We learn to help ourthat you don’t intend to
thin.
in.
selves and help addicts
keep.
“I would stay awake for
“It can take awhile to
get better. You are not
“There are a lot of
a week or two with no
realize you’re an enabler
hurting people out
alone. There is hope.”
sleep,” she said. “I didn’t
there,” said Cyndie
and get off that hamster
(Email: lpezzuto
know I was an addict,
Hogue, who is the group wheel,” Hogue said. “Our @ncnewsonline.com)
Christmas joy warms the heart
which is a common mis-
Anonymous group
helps families in need
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9TH ANNUAL CHILDREN’S CHRISTMAS
SPREAD YOUR WEALTH EVENT
PLEASE MAKE A DONATION OF A NEW
TOY OR NEW PIECE OF CLOTHING FOR
OUR CHILDREN (AGES 0-13)
DONATIONS CAN BE DROPPED OFF AT
THE ABC LEARNING CENTER
1807 MORAVIA STREET
NEW CASTLE, PA 16101
OR
DONNA GALLO ROBISON’S
HEARING AID HEALTH CENTER
2022 EAST WASHINGTON ST.
NEW CASTLE, PA 16101
… AFTER NOVEMBER 1ST …
PREREGISTRATION IS REQUIRED. FORMS CAN
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EVENT IS ON
SATURDAY, DECEMBER 19TH
FROM 10-12 AT
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NEW CASTLE, PA
SOCIAL SECURITY
ADMINISTRATION’S
POOR SERVICE
RECORD
— PAGE A7
Wednesday
December 23, 2015
Since 1880
Vol. 136 No. 90
City seeks ways
to prevent repeat
effect of June storms
the city’s South Side.
One raging storms caused
a hillside to collapse into the
June 2015 could be rememcreek, resulting in homes along
bered as the month of rain in
Pennsylvania Avenue being
Lawrence County.
flooded.
The city of
Damage also
New Castle, paroccurred in the
ticularly, was
Gaston Park
deluged with
area, spilling
downpours that
water and debris
flooded homes
onto Carl Street,
and streets.
clogging a storm
The heavy
sewer and tearing
downpours
No. 8
up the street. The
caused storm
road was closed
sewers to back
for a few months
up into people’s homes, but
but has since been paved and
the most extensive damage
reopened to traffic.
The city contacted the U.S.
occurred in the Big Run area of
By John K. Manna
New Castle News
Top
Stories
of 2015
File photo/NEWS
the meeting with the Corps
of Engineers, the city plans to
participate in a flood management program involving the
federal agency.
The total cost of the project
STORMS, PAGE A3
Lugene Pezzuto/NEWS
New Castle resident Vaughn Crisci talks about the downward spiral that led to his son Sean’s overdose death in 2014.
Child’s addiction leads
to parent’s heartbreak
By Lugene Pezzuto
New Castle News
Vaughn Crisci’s world came
crashing down twice in the
same year.
On Aug. 1, 2014, Crisci’s
son, Sean, died of a heroin
overdose at age 33.
“It was the worst day of
my life,” Crisci recalled.
“This is the worst pain there
is.”
At the same time, his
daughter, Colleen, was
fighting her own battle with
addiction and has received
treatment at Pyramid, an
inpatient rehabilitation facility in Altoona.
If that wasn’t enough
heartache, Crisci lost a brother to cancer in late October
of this year.
Through all his suffering,
Jameson’s
inpatient
behavioral
health unit
to stay open
New Castle News
South Mill Street is flooded after heaving rains pelts Lawrence
County on June 24.
Army Corps of Engineers,
which sent representatives
in August to discuss possible
remedies in the Big Run and
Gaston Park areas.
Mayor Anthony Mastrangelo said that as a result of
Crisci, 60, has become an
advocate and spokesperson
for others facing the same
struggles with addiction.
“There have been so many
sleepless nights, worrying,”
he said.
Somehow, he believes that
he always knew that Sean’s
life would have this ending.
The number of tears Crisci
has shed can’t be counted, and when he reflects on
his son’s life, those tears still
fall.
CHILD, PAGE A3
Contributed photo
Sean Crisci
Jameson Health System’s
inpatient behavioral health
unit has a new lease on life.
According to a news release
this week from hospital officials, the unit at Jameson’s
South Campus “will remain
open and operational for the
foreseeable future” instead of
closing on Dec. 31, as previously announced.
“We continue to collaborate
with county service agencies
to best service our region
with the meaningful care that
we are proud to deliver,” the
release said. “We appreciate
our teams and physicians who
have remained loyal, keeping
this important service thriving.”
Joseph Venasco, county
administrator for Mental
Health and Developmental
Services, said he’s pleased
with Jameson’s decision.
“I’m so appreciative of
Jameson’s willingness to
understand and see what a
critical service it is for local
folks in Lawrence County,”
said Venasco, who said he has
been in “constant contact”
with the director of the unit.
“Jameson provides the highest level of services that we
offer in our county lines, and
it’s important that we are able
to provide that local treatment,” he added. “It’s always
a better treatment structure
when people can be treated
at home than in another community.”
In May, Jameson announced
it would close portions of
Jameson’s South Campus on
Aug. 7, including the inpatient
part of its behavioral health
unit, and make changes to
Jameson’s Women’s Care and
the sleep lab. Officials said
then that the move was a
cost-saving decision expected
to save between $600,000 and
$700,000 annually.
But in August, the closure
was delayed to Dec. 31, after
negotiations between Jameson and the county’s Mental
Health and Developmental
Services resulted in a better
rate per day per bed through
Value Behavioral Health.
“Since the announcement
of the pending closure of our
inpatient behavioral health
OPEN, PAGE A5
Wilmington loosens fracking restrictions
By Mary Grzebieniak
New Castle News
The Wilmington Township
supervisors made things easier
for unconventional oil and gas
drillers on Monday.
They loosened restrictions on
their drilling ordinance, which
had been the strictest in the
Lawrence County.
The supervisors amended the
zoning rules at the advice of
solicitor Jonathan Solomon, who
warned the stricter rules might
not withstand a court challenge.
The vote was 2 to 1 to ease
the restrictions, with Supervisors
Darren Elder and Dave McConahy voting in favor and Supervisor Tracey Deal casting a no
vote.
The supervisors also voted
unanimously to send 10 potential
amendments of the ordinance to
the county and township plan-
ning commissions to be considered for future inclusion in the
ordinance.
The 10 amendments, as recommended by Solomon, would
impose additional restrictions on
drillers. Some of those include:
•Prohibition of onsite retention
pits and gas flaring, unless these
requirements make it impossible
for the gas company to drill efficiently;
•Forbidding fluid from being
Newsstand 75¢
brought from other sites if retention pits must be used
•A requirement that compressor station engines be gas or
electric, not diesel-powered, for
noise reduction;
•Screening of well pads from
neighbors with soil mounds,
shrubs, and trees, if necessary,
to protect from noise;
•A requirement that noise lev-
OBITUARIES
Lynn Smolnik Bruno, 58,
New Castle
John R. Toth, 83,
Ellport
See Page A5
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533 Taylor Street, New Castle
A-2
Wednesday, December 23, 2015
Oil
From page A1
els would be measured at
the nearest property line
from the drilling facility
and not the nearest building;
•Removal of a cap on
fees to be charged to
the driller for township
engineers to review
operations;
•A requirement that
compressor station sites
location take into consideration the probability of air pollution being
aggravated in low-lying
spots and similar areas
that hold stagnant air.
Most of those attending had not seen Solomon’s ten proposed
amendments and complained they had not
had a chance to review
them.
Prior to their vote,
the supervisors fielded about two hours of
comments from about
150 people who attended the meeting. The
comments were overwhelmingly in opposition to loosening the
restrictions.
Of those speaking or
submitting letters, 28
people wanted to keep
the current ordinance.
Four favored easing
restrictions.
Wayne Gill, a landman who leases land
for drilling, presented
61 signatures of owners
of 3,518 acres in the
township who he said
favored easing restrictions. He said the petitioners did not attend
the meeting because of
what he called a hostile
environment at previous
meetings.
Resident John Kurtz
told the supervisors that
he knows of at least
two signatories on the
list who did not know
what they were signing
when they signed the
petition.
Speaking against the
amendments was attorney Dallas Hartman,
who urged the supervisors not to adopt the
proposed changes.
He said he and attorney Timothy McNickle,
both township residents, met with landowners and representatives of gas companies
and came up with their
own proposed ordinance.
According to Hartman, representatives of
the oil and gas drillers
said the amendments
they proposesd would
not interfere with their
drilling plans in the
township, although they
did not endorse the pro-
posal.
Hartman’s ordinance
contains some of the
same recommendations
as Solomon’s 10 points,
such as the requirement
for electric or natural
gas fueled compressor
stations and removing
the cap on engineering
fees. It also contains
additional provisions,
including requiring a
building to be erected
around a compressor
station in some situations.
Rhonda Palmer, a
resident, said the supervisors are negotiating
with “an outside group,
drillers,” while treating local residents who
object “as nuisances”
when they question
their actions.
Dentist Diane Fawley
said, “There is no evidence (drilling) will not
harm the quality of life
in the community.”
Judy Hartzler of Fayette commented that
homes with well water
within two miles of a
drilling site have significant decreases in value.
Ronald Gula claimed
that the industry “will
walk away and leave
your community holding the bag” after they
are done drilling. He
added that the $100,000
bonuses that local driller Hilcorp Energy Co.
recently gave each of
its employees “is a slap
in every one of your
faces.”
Brenda Hickman lives
in New Wilmington
Borough and claims the
drilling will affect her
because her home is
“less than a half mile
away from a proposed
site.”
She asked why Hilcorp “can give $100,000
bonuses” and refuse to
pay to erect buildings
around compressor stations.
Warren Hickman of
New Wilmington said
that one part per million of formaldehyde is
considered carcinogenic
but that readings of
7,000 parts per million
have been found within a half-mile of some
compressor stations. He
added that the township
should keep the strict
ordinance and “let it be
challenged by the gas
and oil company.”
Other citizens speaking included Ivan
Dubrasky of Pulaski
Township and Jackie
Adams of Mahoning
Township, both of
whom described negative effects on their
lives and properties
because of nearby oil
and gas drilling activity.
Dubrasky said he is
considering selling his
house because of noise
and other problems he
has experienced after
a well pad was located
across from his home.
Adams claimed that
a compressor station
near her home has
resulted in unbearable
noise levels, despite
her husband’s attempts
to install insulation to
reduce the sound.
One of the few speaking in favor of changing
the ordinance, township
resident David Short
said the existing law
denies residents the
right to their properties by interfering with
their right to lease it for
fracking.
Some attending criticized the supervisors’
failure to move the
meeting to a larger
venue, because at least
30 people had to stand
through Monday’s twohour meeting.
Resident Carrie Hahn
said this has been the
experience in the past
and supervisors have
refused to seek a different location although
some nearby places are
available.
(Email: m_grzebieniak
@ncnewsonline.com)
ncnewsonline.com
Votes signal breakthrough
in state budget stalemate
HARRISBURG (AP) — Democrats and
moderate Republicans upended House
GOP majority leaders on Tuesday, winning a series of close votes that signaled
a potential breakthrough in Pennsylvania’s 6-month-old budget stalemate.
The coalition sent a bipartisan spending bill over a key procedural hurdle,
raising the possibility that the main
appropriations bill in a $30.8 billion
spending package could land on Democratic Gov. Tom Wolf’s desk as early as
Wednesday.
The spending bill, about a 6 percent increase, passed the Republican-controlled Senate two weeks ago.
Wolf supports it as part of a wider
budget package that has been hung
up by House GOP opposition since
the outlines of a bipartisan deal were
announced in early November.
“We still have a ways to go, but this
was a nice step in the right direction,”
Wolf said. “So we’ll see what happens
tomorrow, and I’m hoping that we
continue the progress.”
Other major elements of the bipartisan budget deal remain in limbo.
Pension legislation that Senate Republican leaders had tied to their support
for the tax and spending package has
stalled in the House.
In addition, legislation to authorize
a $1 billion-plus tax increase as part
of the deal has not been introduced in
either chamber, and it remains unclear
what, exactly, it would include. Wolf
has sought the money to reverse
post-recession cuts to public schools
and human services and to narrow a
long-term budget deficit that has damaged the state’s credit rating.
With billions in state aid held up,
cash-strapped school districts are borrowing to stay open, social service
agencies are laying off workers and
state-subsidized prekindergarten programs are closing to hundreds of children in low-income families. Domestic
violence shelters are filled to capacity
and home care services for the elderly
in many counties are unable to take
new enrollees.
The state’s largest school system
— Philadelphia — says it will close
Jan. 29 without state aid while several school districts have raised the
idea of staying closed after the winter
break to avoid having to borrow more
money.
In November, Wolf and House and
Senate leaders agreed to a budget deal
that revolved around the 6 percent
spending increase and $1 billion-plus
tax increase. But House Republicans
revolted against the size of the tax
and spending bills.
Supporters of the spending plan
successfully maneuvered it Tuesday
through a series of razor-thin votes
and a floor challenge to insist that
members vote in person, rather than
by proxy from afar. In one vote, it
passed 100-99. The last vote, 100-97,
sent it onward to the possibility of a
final floor vote Wednesday.

Trick-or-treaters make sweet weekend haul

Transcription

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