Category: Uncategorized

The Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT) is looking for volunteers across the Commonwealth to participate in the Great American Cleanup of Pennsylvania, which runs from March 1 through May 31. 

During last year’s cleanup event, more than 159,000 volunteers collected 7 million pounds of trash from 13,140 miles of roads, trails and shorelines. In addition, PennDOT’s Adopt-A-Highway volunteers picked up more than 3.5 million pounds of trash along more than 10,000 miles of roadway during the event. 

A listing of cleanup events and resources for organizing a cleanup group can be found on the website of State Rep. Jim Cox (R-129)

With the dinosaurs doing what they can to change the subject of our politics from the sick state of our economy to something more superficial, Newt Gingrich takes one of them to the woodshed.

Remember Terry Rakolta? 

By Pattie Price

Brain Lafferty, 19, of Springfield Pa., waived a hearing, March 1, before Magisterial District Judge Dave Lang on the charges of criminal trespass, simple assault, underage drinking, possessing instruments of crime, false imprisonment, prohibitive offensive weapons, theft by unlawful taking, disorderly conduct, harassment and criminal mischief. In exchange for the waiver the charge of burglary was withdrawn. The charges stem from an incident 3:05a.m., Nov. 26, at a home in the 800 block of Paxon Hollow Road, Marple, Pa.

According to the affidavit, Marple Officers Ray Stiles, John Murrin and Steve Benecke responded to a report of a burglary in progress. The glass storm door was broken and the front door was ajar. They saw Lafferty standing inside the house holding a large knife. Benecke yelled for Lafferty to drop the knife and get on the ground. Sgt. Brandon Graeff arrived and all four officers converged on Lafferty, who did drop the knife and laid on the floor. Lafferty told police that he was the babysitter and that everything was ok.

Stiles said the victim came down the steps and said that she had never seen Lafferty.

The victim’s cell phone and car keys were confiscated from Lafferty’s pocket.

Lafferty had a strong odor of alcohol and a breath test showed a high amount of alcohol in his system.

The complainant said she was awakened by her dogs barking and Lafferty was standing in her doorway holding two knives. She said Lafferty told her to shut up, stay in bed, and don’t move. When Lafferty went downstairs, the woman called 911.

Lafferty is scheduled for a March 29 arraignment in Common Pleas Court.

* * *

Mark Devito, 28, of Milmont Park, waived a hearing on the charges of criminal conspiracy and retail theft. In exchange for the waiver, the charges of receiving stolen property and possession of drug paraphernalia were withdrawn. The charges stem from an incident at Rite Aid, 2901 Springfield Road.

According to the affidavit, Marple Officer Greg Desimone said the store manager saw Devito and an accomplice conceal store merchandise. Devito then took the merchandise and put it back on the shelf.

Police arrived and took Devito into custody. Confiscated from Devito’s car were 10 packages of Mucinex, two bars of soap, and an additional 18 boxes of Mucinex from the trunk. Devito admitted the merchandise, valued at $613, was stolen.

Devito is scheduled for a March 29 arraignment in Common Pleas Court.

* * * 

The charge of harassment was reduced to a summary violation against Matthew Cook, 24, of Media. The charge stems from a domestic altercation 4:18 p.m., Jan. 8, at a home in the 2900 block of Dorman Avenue.

According to the affidavit, Marple Officer Ray Stiles said the victim reported her ex-boyfriend went to her place of work and told her friends he was going to hurt her if she didn’t pay him $2,000.

The victim also reported that Cook said he had naked pictures of her and that he was going to post them on the internet.

Cook is serving time at the George W. Hill Correctional Facility where he is being credited at $40 per day towards his fine and court costs.

* * *

Laura Stephenson, 23, of Philadelphia waived a hearing on the charge of retail theft for an incident 3:34 p.m., Jan. 16, at Old Navy and Walmart, 400 S. State Road. In exchange for the waiver the charge of receiving stolen property was withdrawn.

According to the affidavit, Detective Barry Williams said police responded to a report of a shoplifter in custody at Walmart. Ms. Stephenson concealed merchandise valued at $361.99. When she was apprehended, she also had merchandise valued at $113.76 from Old Navy.

Ms. Stephenson admitted to stealing the items. She is scheduled for a March 29 arraignment in Common Pleas Court.

* * *

Andrew McAfee, 30, of Aldan was held for a March 29 arraignment in Common Pleas Court on the charges of theft by unlawful taking or disposition and receiving stolen property. The charges stem from an incident 8:07 a.m., Feb. 14 at a home in the 3000 block of Lovell Avenue.

According to the affidavit, Marple Detective Kurt Lindelow said the victim reported that she hired McAfee to paint her bedroom. On Jan. 23, McAfee measured the bedroom so he could buy the right amount of paint. The following day he wanted to measure the bedroom again. He was in the bedroom for about an hour. After McAfee left, the victim notice her jewelry, valued at $22,565, missing.

* * * 

Charges of possession of a controlled substance and possession of drug paraphernalia were withdrawn against Maureen Dowds, 26, of Marple. The charges stem from an incident 7:44 p.m., Dec. 17, at her home in the 2900 block of Pennview Avenue.

* * *

A warrant was issued for Erin Jones, 18, of Philadelphia when she failed to appear for a hearing Thursday on the charges of retail theft and criminal conspiracy for an incident 3:21 p.m., Jan. 24, at Marshall’s, 400 S. State Road.

Just had my first mocha macchiato at the relatively new Crossroads Coffee House at 1270 Township Line Road in Drexel Hill, Pa.

By Pattie Price

Brandon Williams, 20, of Philadelphia waived a hearing, March 1, before Magisterial District Judge Dave Lang on the charges of firearms not to be carried without a license, receiving stolen property and criminal conspiracy. In exchange for the waiver the charge of criminal use of a communication facility was withdrawn. The charges stem from an incident 3:07 p.m., Dec. 5, at a home in the unit block of Willowbrook Avenue, Marple, Pa.

According to the affidavit, Marple Detective Larry Gerrity said the father of a 15-year-old boy gave his son a Kawasaki motorcycle on Dec. 4. He purchased it used for $750. The following day they discovered the motorcycle had been stolen from their shed.

The father reported the theft to police and then called them again on Dec. 20 when he saw an ad on Craig’s list for a motorcycle that appeared to be his son’s.

Gerrity contacted Williams, who was later identified as the seller of the bike, and they agreed on a price of $800. They made plans to meet at the former Pathmark store on Lawrence Road. Gerrity and Officer Chip Rosen, were wearing plain clothes. 

A pick up truck, driven by Jacon McMillian, 39, of Philadelphia arrived with Williams as his passenger. The men removed the motorcycle from the bed of the truck and they were arrested. The VIN number matched that of the stolen cycle.

When Sgt. Mike Johnson took Williams into custody he saw a handgun in his back pocket. The Ruger, a semi-automatic pistol was loaded and was found to be registered to someone else.

Charges of receiving stolen property and conspiracy were withdrawn against McMillian.

Williams is scheduled for a March 29 arraignment in Common Pleas Court.

A story in the March 4 edition of the Times of India expresses concern that journalists in the subcontinent might be intimidated from reporting the news due to attacks by lawyers.

L.L. Bean still sells wooden snowshoes.

Pat Farmer is a runner.