Westminster College: Titan Radio: Digital 88.9 News

FBI arrests former Mercer Co. man on child rape charges

2012-05-14 00:00:00 EST

MERCER, Pa.� (AP)- Police say a Tennessee man has been arrested on more than 100 Pennsylvania child rape and abuse charges involving three young girls in Mercer County.

Fatal motorcycle crash in Mercer County hits home for Westminster community

2012-05-14 00:00:00 EST

GREENVILLE, Pa.-Police in Mercer County say two people died in a motorcycle crash early Sunday morning south of the intersection of State Route 18 and Ko Road in Sugar Creek Township.� Hempfield police say the driver and his passenger on his motorcycle died when the bike struck a guardrail and went out of control.

Deadly traffic accident claims the lives of Westminster student's parents

2012-05-12 00:00:00 EST

BULGER, Pa.-� Members of the Westminster College community are reaching out to a student and her family after a terrible traffic accident this morning in Washington.� The accident claimed the lives of the student's mother and father while sending her brother to the hospital.

Titans Win Baseball PAC Championship

2012-05-12 00:00:00 EST

WASHINGTON, Pa. - The No. 2-seed Westminster College (28-15) baseball team captured its third conference and second Presidents' Athletic Conference (PAC) championship ever on Saturday after they shutout the No. 1-seeded and nationally ranked Washington and Jefferson (35-8), 6-0. The win breaks the 30-year old school record for most wins in a single season. Its last championship came in 2005.

Funnel cloud or faux funnel cloud

2012-05-10 00:00:00 EST

NEW WILMINGTON, Pa.-- A twisted fire in the sky of sorts appeared over campus and New Wilmington on Wednesday evening at sundown. Westminster College biology student Lianna DeFuria grabbed her cell phone and snapped a picture of it as the bright sky darkened.

College to Celebrate Commencement May 19

2012-05-07 00:00:00 EST

NEW WILMINGTON, Pa.-- More than 300 students are expected to earn degrees Saturday, May 19, at Westminster College's 158th commencement ceremonies.� A baccalaureate service will be held at 10:30 a.m. in Orr Auditorium with commencement at 2:30 p.m. on the Senior Terrace of Old Main.

The baccalaureate message, 'Ignition,' will be given by the Rev. Dr. Scott Black Johnston, senior pastor of Fifth Avenue Presbyterian Church in New York City and former professor of preaching and worship at Austin (Texas) Presbyterian Theological Seminary.�

Meet a cancer survivor who made Westminster her first Relay for Life

2012-05-06 00:00:00 EST

NEW WILMINGTON, Pa.-- Sharpsville resident Kathy Chavara is battling breast cancer.� She took her battle to the track at Burry Stadium at Westminster College on Saturday to participate in her first Relay for Life.

Lapping up the sunshine with Relay for Life

2012-05-05 00:00:00 EST

NEW WILMINGTON, Pa.--� Sunshine greeted the Relay for Life teams making laps on the track at Burry Stadium for the annual event at Westminster College headed up by Alpha Sigma Phi.�

Governor announces money for New Castle Municipal Airport

2012-05-03 00:00:00 EST

HARRISBURG, Pa.-- A Lawrence County airport is among 27 across Pennsylvania that will improve facilities and enhance safety with a $12.6 million investment of federal and state funds.� Governor Tom Corbett (R) announced the investments on Tuesday.

Lawrence Co. Mom, on heroin in restaurant, is pregnant

2012-05-02 00:00:00 EST

NEW CASTLE, Pa. (AP)-- A Lawrence County woman charged with heroin possession after police say she repeatedly passed out in a restaurant booth while sitting with her two toddlers has learned she is pregnant while undergoing drug tests at a hospital.

Wilmington's Marching Band takes the spotlight in Kentucky for the Derby

2012-05-02 00:00:00 EST

LOUISVILLE, Ky.-- The running of the Kentucky Derby on Saturday comes after the Wilmington Area High School Marching Band performs in the Kentucky Derby Festival Pegasus Parade in Louisville, Ky., on May 3.

NC Police: Lawrence Co. mom knew pot was in girl's school bag

2012-05-01 00:00:00 EST

NEW CASTLE, Pa. (AP)-Police have charged a Lawrence County woman with child endangerment after school officials say they found four bags of marijuana in her daughter's school backpack.

Slippery Rock student reports rape near bar just off campus

2012-04-30 00:00:00 EST

SLIPPERY ROCK, Pa. (AP) - State police are investigating a report that a female Slippery Rock University student was raped by multiple men outside a bar near the campus of the state-owned school.

Police say Lawrence Co. mom out with her kids was on heroin

2012-04-29 00:00:00 EST

NEW CASTLE, Pa. (AP)-- A Lawrence County woman is charged with heroin possession because police say she repeatedly passed out in a restaurant booth - where she was sitting with her two young children.

Deer makes bloody trail through Mercer Co. school

2012-04-27 00:00:00 EST

FARRELL, Pa. (AP) - State wildlife officials say a deer smashed into a western Pennsylvania elementary school, frightening students and teachers as it ran through hallways leaving a trail of blood.

Mahoning Township received more than $7.5 for sewage treatment

2012-04-27 00:00:00 EST

HARRISBURG-- The Governor's office has announced that Lawrence County and Mahoning Township will received a $7,556,690 grant to make improvements to its sewage treatment plant.� Mahoning Township will build that plan� more than seven miles of collection lines to eliminate the use of malfunctioning on-lot systems. The project will also allow local businesses to expand and create 490 new jobs in the area.

Lawrence Co. landlord pleads to tenant murder over $50 debt

2012-04-26 00:00:00 EST

NEW CASTLE, Pa.-A Lawrence County landlord will spend 7 1/2 to 15 years in prison after pleading guilty to fatally shooting his tenant over a $50 debt.

Attorney questions Mercer County tot's pot-handling video

2012-04-25 00:00:00 EST

FARRELL, Pa. (AP) - An attorney for a Mercer County man whose cell phone contained a video of a boy who is allegedly being taught how to break up marijuana buds for sale says he doesn't think it depicts what prosecutors allege.

Altmire is out as a Congressman from Pennsylvania

2012-04-24 00:00:00 EST

PITTSBURGH (AP) - U.S. Rep. Mark Critz has defeated Rep. Jason Altmire to become the Democratic nominee in the newly created 12th Congressional District north and east of Pittsburgh.� Altmire currently serves as the U.S. Representative for Pennsylvania's 4th Congressional District which includes much of Lawrence County and New Wilmington.� However, that's changing.

Motorcycles crash killing two in Mercer County

2012-04-22 00:00:00 EST

GREENVILLE, Pa. (AP)-- Police say an early morning accident involving two motorcycles killed a man and a woman Greenville police report the crash happened at about 2:48 a.m. Saturday on Route 18 in Greenville in Mercer County.

Fire destroys Amish mill and workshop

2012-04-20 00:00:00 EST

WILMINGTON TOWNSHIP, Pa.-- The Amish community near New Wilmington gathered around the charred ruins of an mill and wood-working shop on the Fayette-Neshannock Falls Road on Friday.

Mercer Co. woman found murdered in South Carolina

2012-04-14 00:00:00 EST

COLUMBIA, S.C. (AP) - South Carolina authorities have identified a second body found close to an abandoned homeless camp near Columbia as that of a Pennsylvania woman from Mercer County.

Lawrence Co. boy convicted in juvenile court of murder

2012-04-13 00:00:00 EST

PITTSBURGH (AP) - A judge has found a Lawrence County boy guilty of the 2009 shotgun slayings of his father's pregnant fiancee and her baby when he was just 11.� Watch video coverage on WCN 24/7 and hear from the victim's family and Jordan Brown's attorneys.�

Greenville mayor quits, calling council dealings 'shady'

2012-04-12 00:00:00 EST

GREENVILLE, Pa. (AP) - The mayor of a Mercer County borough has resigned because of what he says are the city's 'shady' dealings, including the way the council president regained his seat despite losing it in an election.

Local man harassed ex with sex toy Web ad

2012-04-12 00:00:00 EST

NEW CASTLE, Pa. (AP) - Police have charged a western Pennsylvania man with harassing his ex-wife by creating a fake Internet ad for sex toys that included the woman's name and contact information.

Route 422 bridge reopens in New Castle

2012-04-12 00:00:00 EST

NEW CASTLE, Pa.-- The Route 422 westbound bridge over the Shenango River in Lawrence County has reopened.� PennDOT officials say crews have completed repairs to a crack in one of the steel beams in the structure.

When consent ends and crime begins

2012-04-11 00:00:00 EST

NEW WILMINGTON, Pa.-- A survivor of sexual assault joined a panel of local experts to raise awareness of sex crimes and violence.� Westminster College will host events throughout April to raise awareness of sexual assault.� The panel was one of several events held on campus during April to promote a stand� against sexual assault and violence.� CLICK here to watch the panel discussion recorded at Westminster College.

Lawrence Co. receives $2.4 to battle lead-based paint

2012-04-11 00:00:00 EST

PITTSBURGH -- The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) announced on Wednesday that Lawrence County will receive $2,480,000 million in grants to 198 housing units in the New Castle area.� The grant will fund programs designed to protect children and families from potentially dangerous lead-based paint and other health and safety hazards.

Prosecution rests in Jordan Brown's closed murder trial

2012-04-11 00:00:00 EST

NEW CASTLE, Pa. (AP) - The prosecution has rested in the closed juvenile court trial of a Lawrence County boy who was just 11 when he allegedly killed his father's pregnant fianc�e, killing her unborn son in the process.

Mercer Co. man gets 13 to 30 years for sex abuse

2012-04-10 00:00:00 EST

MERCER, Pa. (AP) - A Mercer County man will spend 13 to 30 years in state prison after pleading guilty to years of sexual abuse involving an adolescent girl.

Trial underway for Lawrence Co. boy charged with murder

2012-04-10 00:00:00 EST

NEW CASTLE, Pa. (AP) - A judge hearing the murder trial of a boy who was 11 when his father's pregnant fiancee and her unborn son were killed heard from a tree trimmer who says he called police after the victim's 4-year-old daughter emerged from the house and said, 'My mommy's dead,' the woman's father said Tuesday.

Closed trial begins for Lawrence County boy accused of murder

2012-04-10 00:00:00 EST

NEW CASTLE, Pa. (AP) - A juvenile court trial that will be closed to the public is set to begin for a western Pennsylvania boy who was just 11 when he was charged with murdering his father's pregnant fianc�e and unborn child.

Man shoots himself outside of burning house

2012-04-08 00:00:00 EST

NEW CASTLE, Pa.-- (AP) - State police say an Ohio man fatally shot himself after holding firefighters at bay who arrived to battle a blaze at the home of the man's ex-girlfriend in Lawrence County.

State officials select SRU's new president

2012-04-05 00:00:00 EST

Harrisburg - The Board of Governors of the Pennsylvania State System of Higher Education selected a new presidents for Slippery Rock University in Butler County this week.

Mercer County man wants to withdraw 2010 murder plea

2012-04-05 00:00:00 EST

SHARON, Pa.-A Mercer County man wants to withdraw his guilty plea to third-degree murder and aggravated assault for fatally shooting his girlfriend in a jealous rage and then beating her mother and another friend with a gun.

Lawrence County man says he was a scam victim unjustly jailed

2012-04-04 00:00:00 EST

NEW CASTLE, Pa.-A Lawrence County man who says he was the victim of an Internet scam is suing the officer who arrested him, claiming police failed to properly investigate before arresting him. Scott Tomasello says he was sent two forged checks as part of a scam after posting an ad for a roommate on Craigslist in February. He says he became suspicious and alerted the bank, but was arrested two weeks later by New Castle police.

Crack in Route 422 bridge in New Castle forces emergency repairs

2012-04-03 00:00:00 EST

NEW CASTLE, Pa.-- PennDOT officials say a 60-foot long crack in a support beam is forcing emergency repairs on the bridge that carries traffic for Route 422 across the Shenango River.� The westbound lanes on the Route 422 structure will remain closed until the repairs are complete.� About 9,300 vehicles cross the bridge each day.

Man accused of stalking teen girl

2012-04-03 00:00:00 EST

NEW CASTLE, Pa. (AP)-- Police say a 46-year-old Lawrence County man faces charges for harassing and stalking a 14-year-old girl with whom he is apparently smitten.

Appeal judges order hearing for boy murder suspect

2012-03-31 00:00:00 EST

PITTSBURGH (AP) - A Pennsylvania Superior Court panel has ordered a local judge to hold a bail hearing for a boy who's been held for more than three years on charges of murdering a pregnant woman and her unborn child.

Appeals court hearing case to release Lawrene County boy charged with murder

2012-03-28 00:00:00 EST

PITTSBURGH-A three-judge Pennsylvania Superior Court panel is scheduled to hear arguments in Pittsburgh about whether a 14-year-old boy charged with murdering a pregnant woman and her unborn child should be freed until his juvenile court trial.

On frost patrol at the Apple Castle (VIDEO)

2012-03-27 00:00:00 EST

WILMINGTON TOWNSHIP, Pa.-- Days of summer-like weather in March caused peach blossoms to appear three weeks early and the apple blossoms are nearly there as well. However, a big chill has prompted frost warnings for the area putting local orchards at risk.

Building more than just homes during spring break

2012-03-17 00:00:00 EST

^{RALEIGH, N.C.-- Jenna Huston, a junior studying computer science & math, fires up a caulking gun on a Habitat for Humanity construction site near Raleigh, NC. She also worked deconstruction, and much more.� She joined 20 others from Westminster on this 'Spring Break with a Purpose' journey.� Among those from Westminster joining Huston on the job was Westminster College president Rick Dorman.}

Local woman forfeits 3 pit bulls that attacked 91-year-old woman last year

2012-03-16 00:00:00 EST

NEW CASTLE, Pa. (AP)- A Lawrence County woman must forfeit three pit bulls and pay $8,100 to an animal shelter where they have been quarantined since the attack on her 91-year-old neighbor last year.

Man jailed on charges he raped infatuated girl

2012-03-15 00:00:00 EST

NEW CASTLE, Pa. (AP)-- A Lawrence County man has been jailed on charges that he raped a 12-year-old girl at her residence three times in 2007, when he was 37.

New Castle Red Hurricane football coach resigns

2012-03-14 00:00:00 EST

NEW CASTLE,� Pa. (AP) - New Castle High School's football coach has resigned as he awaits� trial on charges that he stole money from a youth football program.�

Campus recognized sixth year with national recognition for volunteer work & service

2012-03-13 00:00:00 EST

NEW WILMINGTON, Pa. - The Corporation for National and Community Service (CNCS) honored Westminster College with a place on the 2011 President's Higher Education Community Service Honor Roll for its support of volunteering, service-learning, and civic engagement.

Ondako out as Titan men's basketball coach

2012-03-13 00:00:00 EST

NEW WILMINGTON, Pa. - Westminster College announced that Larry Ondako will not return next season as head men's basketball coach. A search for a replacement will begin immediately.

Lawrence County state rep robbed in Harrisburg

2012-03-12 00:00:00 EST

HARRISBURG (AP)-- Two men are facing charges after they allegedly robbed a state lawmaker and two others at gunpoint a couple blocks from the Capitol on Monday.

Hundreds attend New Wilmington's Business Expo

2012-03-10 00:00:00 EST

NEW WILMINGTON, Pa.-- The New Wilmington Business expo celebrated its 10th anniversary on Saturday with a large crowd at Memorial Field House at Westminster College on Saturday.� The annual showcase of local businesses is organized by the New Wilmington Chamber of Commerce.

Man stole woman's coat from maternity ward to give to his girlfriend

2012-03-09 00:00:00 EST

NEW CASTLE, Pa. - Police say a Lawrence County man stole a woman's coat from a hospital maternity ward because he thought it was nice and wanted to give it to his girlfriend.