Feb 23, 2015 5 min read

Charged in stop: Michael David McGovern, 29, of Imperial, was charged Monday by McDonald police with possession of marijuana and paraphernalia and speeding stemming from a Feb. 8 traffic stop on Route 18 at Vian Drive, Burgettstown. The charges will be sent by summons from the office of District Judge Gary Havelka.

Man injured: Jason Bails, 39, of 111 Kidder Lane, Canonsburg, was injured Saturday afternoon when the vehicle in which he was a passenger, driven by Justin Gamrod, 32, of 50 Shannon Ave., Washington, hit a patch of ice and crashed into a utility pole in the 700 block of South Central Avenue, Canonsburg police said. Bails was taken to Canonsburg Hospital for treatment.

Window broken: Alan Harig of 211 Greenside Ave. told Canonsburg police Saturday the rear window was broken on his vehicle.

Sign stolen: The owner of Handle Bar & Grill, 342 W. Pike St., told Canonsburg police Saturday a patron stole a sign from the wall Thursday. Charges are pending.

Camera stolen: Stephen Schidek of 2 McClain St. reported a game camera valued at $80 was stolen Sunday from his family’s property on Grant Street Alley.

Assault charge: Austin A. Boyd, 18, of 223 McKean Ave., Charleroi, is charged by Charleroi Regional police with simple assault, reckless endangerment, harassment and disorderly conduct, court records show. Police accuse him of choking and striking Unique Cochran about 9:15 a.m. Friday in his residence. Boyd is in Washington County jail on $25,000 bond set by District Judge Larry Hopkins.

Trespass charge: William Oravetz, 30, of 214 Brook Ave., McDonald, will be charged by McDonald police with trespass after he allegedly was seen Saturday on the steps at 120 S. McDonald St. after being banned from the property.

Hit-and-run: McDonald police are looking for the driver of a gray car, possibly a Chevrolet Malibu, that was traveling south on Third Street, went through a stop sign and struck the rear of a car driven by Robert Klimas, 53, of 18 Castle St., McDonald, about 5:30 p.m. Saturday. The hit-and-run driver fled, police said.

Theft reported: The owner of Midway Mini Mart, 101 St. John St., told McDonald police Friday a former employee stole money from the cash register, leaving him a note that said she quit and took the money as her pay. Charges are pending.

Theft charge: Lauren Rose Horwitz, 31, of Pittsburgh, was arrested Saturday by North Strabane police on a charge of theft. She is accused of stealing a purse containing $90 and prescription medication and two pairs of Ugg boots from spectators at a gymnastic competition at Meadow Lands Gymnastic Center, 345 Meadow Lands Boulevard. Police said Horwitz, who is the mother of one of the competitors, stole the items from a locker room. She was arraigned before District Judge Ethan Ward and released on $10,000 unsecured bond.

One injured: Brad Wetzel, 33, of Belle Vernon, was slightly injured about noon Saturday when his sport utility vehicle slid in the 1400 block of Route 519, struck a guardrail and overturned, North Strabane police said.

Two-car accident: Three people received minor injuries in a two-car accident that occurred at 7:28 p.m. Sunday at Washington and West McMurray roads in Peters Township. According to police, a car driven by Kristen Peckich, 49, of Coachside Drive, Washington, was southbound on Washington Road. Peckich reportedly told police she briefly took her eyes off the road to check her cellphone and could not stop in time at a red light. Police said she struck a car driven by Spencer Varadi, 23, of Main Street, Youngstown. Peckich, Varadi and his passenger, Carlee Smith, 22, of Gateshead Drive, McMurray, all complained of minor injuries but declined medical treatment, police said.

DUI alleged in wreck: Police charged Fred L. Burns, 43, of McClintok Drive, McMurray, with driving under the influence Saturday following a one-car accident on Sugar Camp Road, Venetia. According to police, Burns was traveling south on Sugar Camp Road, lost control of his car, struck a tree and ended up in a ditch.

Fire: Police and fire departments from Peters, North Strabane, Finleyville and Houston responded to a fire Friday at the Hackett Club, 118 Brawdy Street, Venetia. No one was in the building at the time of the fire. The incident remains under investigation.

Three-car accident: Icy weather was determined as the cause of a three-car accident Saturday at 12:55 p.m. According to police, Delaney Wehn, 17, of Breneen Lane, McMurray, was driving at the intersection of Washington and Waterdam roads and was not able to stop because of weather conditions. Police said she hit the rear of a car driven by Jonathan Snodgrass, 39, of Walker Road, Canonsburg. Snodgrass, in turn, hit the rear of a car driven by Chiara Gessler of Walnut Drive, Venetia. No one was seriously injured, police said.

Assault charge: Police said they charged Ryan Abbiatici, 39, of 421 E. McMurray Road, McMurray, with simple assault Sunday following an altercation with Jennifer Mihalko, 36, also of E421 E. McMurray. Police said Mihalko had a five-inch bruise on her right arm. Abbiatici was arraigned before District Judge Ethan Ward. He was released from Washington County jail Monday after posting $25,000 bond.

Fence struck: Bernard Kubitza, 65, of Ellsworth, escaped injury about 5:30 p.m. Saturday when his vehicle went off Brownlee Road near Start Spur, Somerset, as he was going up a hill and struck a fence, state police said.

Sign stolen: A barber pole from Rich’s Barber Shop, 33 West Chestnut Street, Washington, was reported stolen Saturday, Washington police said.

Disorderly conduct: Michael Black, 59, of 604 Maryland Ave., Washington, was cited for disorderly conduct Friday after he called 911 several times for a non-emergency, Washington police said.

Stolen vehicle: Keith Rosario, 24, of 1131 Sycamore St., Washington, reported his Toyota Corolla stolen Friday, Washington police said.