New Castle News

Local News

Discussion

April 13, 2009

'Tea missile' suspect going to trial

A Wampum man charged with tossing bottles at vehicles has waived his case to court.

James J. McDonald, 34, of 1052 Main St., was charged with recklessly endangering another, propulsion of missiles into an occupied vehicle and criminal mischief when police said he threw a half-gallon ice tea bottle from his pickup truck, at 11:12 p.m. on Feb. 25, striking the windshield of a marked state police cruiser that was traveling 50 miles per hour, on Route 18 near Stonecrest Golf Course. Police said the smashed glass shards landed on the troopers and caused in excess of $600 damage.

After this incident was reported, police said, other victims came forward.

Also waived to court yesterday were charges against McDonald of propulsion of missiles into an occupied vehicle and criminal mischief for throwing a half-gallon iced tea bottle from his pickup truck at a Chevy Corsica driven by Michael John Mihalko, southbound on Route 18 at 11:10 p.m. on Jan. 29, striking the windshield and covering the driver with shards of glass. Police said no injuries were reported but the action caused damages in excess of $152.

He is also charged with propulsion of missiles into an occupied vehicle, criminal mischief for throwing a half-gallon iced tea bottle at a jeep, driven by Cherry Lynn Tedrow, southbound on Route 18 at 12:12 a.m. on Dec. 13, 2008, striking the side of the jeep damaging the side mirror and causing in excess of $100 damage. No injuries were reported.

Police said additional charges against McDonald are expected to be filed.

Text Only | Photo Reprints
Local News
  • Corvi.jpg News, Herald to launch Business Chronicle

    You will find in Monday’s edition of the New Castle News a magazine called the Mercer-Lawrence County Business Chronicle.
    The News is joining forces with our sister paper, The  Herald in Sharon, which has been producing the Business Chronicle in Mercer County for six years.

    May 26, 2012 1 Photo

  • DYM.jpg Meet the 2013 contestants for Lawrence County Distinguished Young Women

    The 2013 Distinguished Young Women Program will take place at 7 p.m. Saturday in Westminster College’s Orr Auditorium. Tickets will be available at the door. Here's your chance to meet all of this year's contestants.
     

    May 25, 2012 1 Photo

  • City Council Briefs: Firm to provide city hall security

    New Castle City Council approved an agreement last night with a Butler firm to provide armed security at city hall. Security Service’s fee is $16 per hour under a seven-month agreement, which will run through the end of this year.

    May 25, 2012

  • Offices to be closed Memorial Day

    Local government offices and other agencies will be closed Monday in observance of Memorial Day. They include:

    May 25, 2012

  • McDonald.jpg Ellwood City’s fire chief resigns

    A 9-year-old boy with spinal meningitis opened his eyes when he heard a fire siren. As longtime colleague Don Ries tells it, the siren was calling Ellwood City volunteers to a shed fire at the B&O Railroad freight station.

    May 24, 2012 1 Photo

  • gavel.jpg Council considers board compromise

    New Castle City Council talked of possible compromise Tuesday night regarding the status of the city’s Historical Architectural Review Board.

    May 24, 2012 1 Photo

  • Neshannock to pave streets this summer

    The Neshannock Township supervisors will spend $208,226 to pave roads this summer. The supervisors last night selected Youngblood Paving of Wampum for the project as the lowest of four bidders. Greg DelPrincipe of RAR Engineering opened and tallied the bids.

    May 24, 2012

  • Custer.jpg Pastor attains master chaplain status

    The Rev. Tod Custer has attained a master chaplain certificate from the International Conference Police Chaplains. Ellwood City Mayor Anthony J. Court recently recognized Custer, an Ellwood City police chaplain, for his achievement.
    Custer will receive his certification in Spokane, Wash.

    May 23, 2012 1 Photo

  • Improvements set for Little Beaver bridge

    Improvements to a bridge that carries Huston Road over Little Beaver Creek in Little Beaver Township are to begin Tuesday. Huston Road will be closed between Route 351 and Scott Wallace Road beginning at 7 a.m. The road will be closed through late August.

    May 23, 2012

  • Mahoning gets sewer tap-in grant

     The Mahoning Township supervisors have received a $500,000 block grant to help residents tap into the new sewer system. Supervisor Vito Yeropoli, who is also sanitation plant secretary/manager, said the township was notified of the grant Monday.

    May 23, 2012