New Castle News

Local News

January 3, 2009

Amish man charged in crash

A New Wilmington man has been charged with drunken driving after his horse-drawn buggy and a car collided Sunday in Wilmington Township, injuring the motorist and killing the horse.

Police said Wednesday that Joseph W. Byler, 19, pulled his eastbound buggy from a stop on state Route 468 at about 5:40 p.m. onto state Route 18. Byler failed to yield to a northbound car driven by Charles R. Taylor Jr., 55, New Wilmington, police said.

Taylor’s car hit the horse, flipping the animal over the vehicle and onto the side of the road. The horse died at the scene, police said.

Taylor was taken to the hospital of Sharon Regional Health System with minor injuries, police said. A hospital spokeswoman said Wednesday Taylor wasn’t listed as a patient.

Byler was charged with drunken driving, drunken driving as a minor, underage drinking and a traffic violation. His blood alcohol content was 0.15 percent, nearly twice the legal limit in Pennsylvania, police said.

His preliminary hearing is set for 9 a.m. Feb. 2 with District Judge Lorinda L. Hinch, Mercer.

New Wilmington police and firefighters assisted.

Text Only | Photo Reprints
Local News
  • Russo.jpg Local firefighter honored for rescue efforts

    Rick Russo and Robert Spitko II had never really made each other’s acquaintance until this week. But one rainy, foggy night in August, the two firefighters worked shoulder to shoulder in a rescue attempt that saved the life of a homeless woman stranded in a rising stream near Norristown, Pa.

    February 9, 2012 1 Photo

  • County has 550 properties available

    Anyone wanting to buy properties from Lawrence County’s repository has a few new rules to follow. The county has deed to about 550 properties that have gone unsold through annual tax “upset” and free and clear sales.

    February 9, 2012

  • Shad.jpg Shad Hanna’s: Demolition expected to resume

    Demolition of the former Shad Hanna’s restaurant is about to resume. Anthony Cioffi, New Castle code enforcement foreman, said the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection halted the demolition to determine if any asbestos was in the building.

    February 8, 2012 1 Photo

  • Kladitis.jpg Northminster launching Bible study for young adults

    Anthony Kladitis, youth pastor at Northminster Presbyterian Church, is launching a new Bible study. Called “Engage(d),” he promises that the gathering “is not your father’s Bible study.”

    February 8, 2012 1 Photo

  • Baden woman seeks Senate seat

    Kimberly Pazzanita Villella of Baden has announced her candidacy for the state Senate in the 47th District. A Democrat, Villella is beginning her second four-year term on Baden Borough Council.

    February 8, 2012

  • money.jpg City pension fund sees gain in final quarter

    The city of New Castle’s employee pension fund gained in value during the last quarter of 2011. The gain is attributed to a strong showing in the stock market during the period following poor performance in the previous three months.

    February 7, 2012 1 Photo

  • gavel.jpg Judge denies new trial in McGaffic case

    Senior Judge Michael J. Wherry has denied a new trial regarding a property in downtown New Castle. In an order of court handed down yesterday, Wherry denied a new trial “because the plaintiffs lack standing as explained in the order of court dated Dec. 21, 2011.”

    February 7, 2012 1 Photo

  • Olszak.jpg Mitchel Olszak: Scammers learn to feed off human fear

    A few weeks ago, my computer went crazy. Boxes filled with warning notices and ominous-looking yellow triangles popped up on my screen, to tell me my system was filled with dangerous viruses. I was in imminent danger of having all sorts of personal information, passwords and financial data stolen.

    February 6, 2012 1 Photo

  • manna.jpg John K. Manna: State Supreme Court explains fault with redistricting plan

    A couple of things: We finally have an opinion. A week after it threw out a redistricting plan for state legislative districts, the Pennsylvania Supreme Court released its opinion yesterday.

    February 4, 2012 1 Photo

  • Mitchell.jpg Elected councilman contests disqualification

    A New Castle City Council candidate contends he should not be disqualified from holding office because he is seeking clemency.

    February 3, 2012 1 Photo