‘Horrible Influence’ With TBI Sentenced After Fentanyl-Fueled Crime Spree: Lancaster DA ‘Horrible Influence’ With TBI Sentenced After Fentanyl-Fueled Crime Spree: Lancaster DA
‘Horrible Influence’ With TBI Sentenced After Fentanyl-Fueled Crime Spree: Lancaster DA A Chester County man described by a judge as a “horrible influence on the community” has been sentenced after pleading guilty to a months-long crime spree that ended in a violent, fentanyl-fueled crash, authorities announced. James Michael Steffy, 41, of West Ridge Road in West Nottingham Township, was sentenced to 14 to 28 years in state prison on Tuesday, March 26, according to the Lancaster County District Attorney’s Office. Judge Thomas Sponaugle also ordered Steffy to pay more than $52,000 in restitution to his victims. The public “needs to be protected from Mr. Steffy,” the judge sai…
West Grove Molotov Cocktail Arson Suspect Waives Hearing In Chester County: DA West Grove Molotov Cocktail Arson Suspect Waives Hearing In Chester County: DA
West Grove Molotov Cocktail Arson Suspect Waives Hearing In Chester County: DA A West Grove man accused of chucking a Molotov cocktail inside a Chester County business while people were still inside — then trying to carjack two vehicles — is heading to trial. Agustin Cisneros-Bedolla, 42, waived his preliminary hearing on Friday, March 21, nearly three weeks after prosecutors say he set a fire that could have killed employees at a bakery in London Grove Township. According to the Chester County District Attorney’s Office, the firebombing happened at Squire’s Pantry on Gap Newport Pike just after Cisneros-Bedolla bought a lighter and gum on Saturday, March 1. He left …
Egg Harbor Township Man Who Provided Fentanyl That Killed Two Teens Learns Fate: AG Egg Harbor Township Man Who Provided Fentanyl That Killed Two Teens Learns Fate: AG
Egg Harbor Township Man Who Provided Fentanyl That Killed Two Teens Learns Fate: AG A 27-year-old Egg Harbor Township man was sentenced to 15 years in prison on Monday, March 10 after previously pleading guilty to providing fentanyl that resulted in the deaths of two teenagers in 2022, authorities said. Elias Santiago pleaded guilty in December to two counts of strict liability drug-inducted death, Attorney General Matthew Platkin said. On Wednesday, Aug. 17, 2022, a 14-year-old and a 17-year-old were discovered unresponsive by one of their father’s at a home in Chester County, Pennsylvania, Platkin said. The teenagers were taken to a hospital in Delaware where they were p…
Man Hurls Explosive Into Chesco Store, Tries To Steal Car In Chaotic Rampage: PA State Police Man Hurls Explosive Into Chesco Store, Tries To Steal Car In Chaotic Rampage: PA State Police
Man Hurls Explosive Into Chesco Store, Tries To Steal Car In Chaotic Rampage: PA State Police A Pennsylvania man launched an explosive inside a Chester County convenience store, igniting a fire before attempting to carjack a driver in a desperate escape, Pennsylvania State Police said. Augustin Cisneros-Bedolla is accused of unleashing the violent attack at Squire’s Pantry on Gap Newport Pike in London Grove Township at 7:38 p.m. on Saturday, March 1, according to PSP Avondale. Investigators say Cisneros-Bedolla stormed into the store, threw an incendiary device at two employees, and set the building ablaze. As the flames spread, chaos erupted. The suspect then ran outside and att…
Massive Blaze Engulfs Chester County Mansion, Photos Show Devastation Massive Blaze Engulfs Chester County Mansion, Photos Show Devastation
Massive Blaze Engulfs Chester County Mansion, Photos Show Devastation A massive fire ripped through a Chester County mansion early Thursday morning, Feb. 27, leaving behind a scene of devastation captured in dramatic photos, officials said. Flames erupted at the sprawling home on the 4100 block of Church Road near Lenover Hill Road in West Sadsbury Township around 5 a.m., according to Sadsburyville Fire Company No. 1. Firefighters from multiple counties rushed to the scene as thick smoke and heavy flames consumed the luxury home. Photos from the fire show ladders propped against windows, charred remains, and a towering inferno as crews battled the blaze. D…
2 Children, Adult Struck; MedEvac Called Near Lancaster County Church (DEVELOPING) 2 Children, Adult Struck; MedEvac Called Near Lancaster County Church (DEVELOPING)
2 Children, Adult Struck; MedEvac Called Near Lancaster County Church (Developing) Three people, including two children, were struck by a vehicle in Salisbury Township, Lancaster County, prompting a medical helicopter response, authorities said. The crash happened near the intersection of Old Philadelphia Pike and Mount Vernon Road, close to Old Road Mennonite Church, around 2:58 p.m. on Monday, Feb. 10, according to Lancaster County Wide Communications. Emergency crews from Lancaster and Chester counties arrived to find an adult victim unresponsive, prompting life-saving measures at the scene, officials said. A helicopter was called in to transport the adult to a hospita…
Pennsylvania Schools Closed, Delayed As Dangerous Winter Storm Hits: See The List Pennsylvania Schools Closed, Delayed As Dangerous Winter Storm Hits: See The List
Pennsylvania Schools Closed, Delayed As Dangerous Winter Storm Hits: See The List A powerful winter storm is set to bring hazardous travel conditions across Pennsylvania, prompting several school delays and closings, officials say. As of 10:00 p.m. Wednesday, Feb. 5, the following schools across the state announced closures or delays: ADAMS COUNTY (Closed): Bermudian Springs School District Conewago Valley School District Fairfield Area School District Gettysburg Area School District Upper Adams School District ADAMS COUNTY (Delayed): Littlestown Area School District (Administrative Offices Closed) ALLEGHENY COUNTY (Closed): Clairton City School District (Remote In…
Destructive Flies Hit PA's Mushroom Belt: Here's How The State Is Helping Farmers Destructive Flies Hit PA's Mushroom Belt: Here's How The State Is Helping Farmers
Destructive Flies Hit PA's Mushroom Belt: Here's How The State Is Helping Farmers Pennsylvania is stepping up efforts to protect its $1.1 billion mushroom industry from an invasive insect that's harming crops and frustrating homeowners. Farms in Kennett and New Garden townships have been ordered to steam-treat between crops to stop the spread of phorid flies, the state agriculture department said in a news release on Thursday, Jan. 30. The quarantine order requires growers to treat mushroom houses and soil between harvests to kill the flies, larvae, bacteria, and pathogens before they spread. The state is helping farmers fight phorid flies by making $…
MD Man With 3 Toddlers Caught With Meth On US Rt 1 In PA: State Police MD Man With 3 Toddlers Caught With Meth On US Rt 1 In PA: State Police
MD Man With 3 Toddlers Caught With Meth On US Rt 1 In PA: State Police A Maryland man driving under the influence with drugs and children in his car has been arrested in Chester County, Pennsylvania State Police announced on Sunday, Jan. 26. Wesley Simon, 25, of Whiteford, Maryland, was stopped by state troopers in a 2009 Toyota Yaris on US Route 1, south of State Route 841, in London Grove Township around 4:26 p.m. on Friday, Jan. 24, police said. Simon was observed speeding and swerving within his lane, prompting the traffic stop, according to a release from the Avondale barracks. Upon exiting the vehicle for field sobriety tests, Simon attempted to conceal …
Support Swells For Beekeeper, School Staffer Who Lost Entire Home In West Chester Fire Support Swells For Beekeeper, School Staffer Who Lost Entire Home In West Chester Fire
Support Swells For Beekeeper, School Staffer Who Lost Entire Home In West Chester Fire Support is flooding in for a Pennsylvania beekeeper and elementary school staffer who lost her entire home to a fire. Chester County resident Anne Svelling was attempting to warm her West Chester home with a fire in the fireplace when flames spread throughout the house early Tuesday, Jan. 21, according to a GoFundMe. “Anne and her daughter Hannah, and their pets, escaped the fire safely,” said campaign organizer Johnny DiGiuseppe. Unfortunately, the family’s home wasn’t as lucky. Dozens of firefighters worked tirelessly to contain the flames in frigid temperatures with limited water resou…
Former Delco Pastor Acquitted In 1975 Murder Of 8-Year-Old Gretchen Harrington Former Delco Pastor Acquitted In 1975 Murder Of 8-Year-Old Gretchen Harrington
Former Delco Pastor Acquitted In 1975 Murder Of 8-Year-Old Gretchen Harrington Nearly 50 years after 8-year-old Gretchen Harrington was abducted and killed in Delaware County, Pennsylvania, David Zandstra, a former pastor accused of her murder, has been found not guilty. Court records updated on Saturday, Jan. 18, show Zandstra was acquitted of all charges following a trial on Friday, Jan. 17. The charges included Criminal Homicide, First-Degree Murder, Second-Degree Murder, and Third-Degree Murder. Additional charges, including Possession of an Instrument of Crime, were dismissed or withdrawn. David Zandstra, 83, originally from New Jersey and most recently of M…
Body Armor, Badge Stolen From West Chester Officer’s Patrol Car By Serial Burglar: DA Body Armor, Badge Stolen From West Chester Officer’s Patrol Car By Serial Burglar: DA
Body Armor, Badge Stolen From West Chester Officer’s Patrol Car By Serial Burglar: DA A Brookhaven man is accused of committing a string of burglaries in West Chester, including stealing a police officer’s body armor vest and badge from a patrol car, the Chester County District Attorney's Office announced Friday, Jan. 17. Lawrence Dass, 27, was charged with five counts of burglary and related offenses following his Jan. 14 arrest by the West Chester Borough Police Department. He was arraigned by Magisterial District Judge Marian Vito, who set bail at $50,000, officials said. Dass is being held at Chester County Prison ahead of a preliminary hearing scheduled for Jan. 21. Aut…