WCN (Westminster Cable Network)

Death by BB Gun

Wed, 18 Aug 2010 08:00:00 GMT

New Castle police say a Volant man died from an unusual set of circumstances over the weekend.

He was shot at close range by someone with a BB gun.

The BB tore through his skin and nicked a vital artery.

Now police are looking for the person behind the BB gun that killed 45-year old Frank Breitesnein on Saturday.

While many people think of BB guns as toys, the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission reports some four deaths occur each year by BB or pellet guns.

Silent Wings Soar Over Mercer County (VIDEO)

Tue, 05 May 2009 08:00:00 GMT

While many teenagers focus their attention on turning 16 and passing the exam for their driver's license, there are some Mercer County teens who soar above that aspiration. These young people already have a glider pilot's license. At Silent Wings Soaring (SWS) some of the teenage workers are pilots and instructors despite not being old enough to drive a car. However, they are old enough to solo in these silent aircraft.

We introduce you to the people who work the gliders in Springfield Township.

The butterfly effect on one Lawrence County farm

Wed, 18 Aug 2010 08:00:00 GMT

WATCH OUR VIDEO

The old children's song about Old McDonald and his farm encourages kids list off a number of animals that live on a farm as they sing. Now what would that song be like if Old McDonald had a farm like Jodie Hopper who lives in North Beaver Township? Jodie has all sorts of critters including goats, chickens, horses, cats and even peacocks. However, Hopper makes her living with butterflies-- something Old McDonald never had on his farm.

Hopper runs the Wish Upon a Butterfly Farm where she's an expert at raising a variety of day-flying insects of the order Lepidoptera.

So what's this butterfly farm all about and how does Hopper make a living from it? WCN's Ang Tucker introduces us to this unusual farmer and shows us what the business of butterflies is all about on this farm.

Click the story to watch our YouTube coverage.

Fresh Oil & Chips for your drive in Lawrence County

Wed, 18 Aug 2010 08:00:00 GMT

That dinging and chipping sound you hear in your car as you drive Mitchell Road or parts of State Route 108 isn't good for your car.

PennDOT officials say you'll want to slow down because these roads and others get fresh oil and chips this summer.

PENNDot also uses the fresh oil and chip process on several area side roads in Lawrence and Mercer counties this time of year.

The oil and chipping process treatment is a cheaper alternative to applying new asphalt to a road surface.

Oil and chipping involves spreading thousands of gallons of emulsion oil and tons of rock chips along miles of road.

The process helps seal damage to a roadway and extends the life of the surface.

$21-million expansion for 85-year old Mercer Co. ice cream cone company

Wed, 18 Aug 2010 08:00:00 GMT

A Mercer County company that has been around since 1918 making ice cream cones will spend $21 million to expand and add about 50 more jobs.

The Joy Cone Company is the largest ice cream cone manufacture in the world.

The Hermitage plant will spend $21 million dollars to expand and add 50 jobs.

Joy currently employs 320 people at the Mercer County factory.

The state will give Joy $2.1 in tax credits and government assistance.

Back to class

Wed, 18 Aug 2010 08:00:00 GMT

New Wilmington puts out the welcome mat for returning students and 402 freshmen.

Businesses like tanning salons, restaurants and banks benefit from spike in population in town each semester. Those business should also benefit from the 402 new students now in town as part of the freshman class.

Area businesses and even churches put out the welcome signs for Westminster College students this week as classes kicked off a new semester on Tuesday.

Callin' All Amish!

Wed, 18 Aug 2010 08:00:00 GMT

YouTube Coverage

The Amish in Lawrence and Mercer counties lead a very simple life in the wide open farming lands provided by the county.

They have become a tourist attraction and have remained a very important part of the culture of Lawrence County, but technology is creeping into the Amish culture, even if it's taboo. WCN 24/7's Corey Emanuel shows us some in the Amish community have embraced the cell phone.

Centaur looking to get out of Valley View Downs

Wed, 18 Aug 2010 08:00:00 GMT

The proposed $455 Valley View Harness Racetrack and Casino for Lawrence County is on the auction block.

Centaur Gaming, the company behind the racino project, want out of the deal by selling it in bankruptcy court to settle debts and restructure operations.

But does the company have time to sell it before the harness racing license expires in September?

The company also says its hands are tied as it cannot attract investors without a casino license in Pennsylvania. State gaming officials say they can't give Centaur a casino license unless it has investors.

Now the company says it must sell the Valley View Downs project in order to get out of bankruptcy.

High speed chase tears across Mercer & Lawrence and two other counties

Wed, 18 Aug 2010 08:00:00 GMT

State police say a man remains in the Butler County jail after leading officers on a three-county chase at speeds of more than 120 miles per hour.

Investigators say 31-year-old John Joseph, of Leetsdale, was arrested Sunday morning after a pursuit of at least 75 miles through Butler, Lawrence, Mercer and Allegheny Counties.

Where the Amish get it sold

Wed, 18 Aug 2010 08:00:00 GMT

Listen to our online coverage

The Amish and other farmers in around the Wilmington area head to the Wilmington Produce Auction each week to sell produce and other farm products to buyers from all over Pennsylvania, Ohio, West Virginia and even as far away as North Carolina.

Up to 100 buyers will gather each week bidding on crates of fruits and vegetables ranging from corn to melons. Listen to our special online radio story as we take you to the auction to find out what makes it work.

Wilmington Area home to one of America's 12 largest Amish communities

Wed, 18 Aug 2010 08:00:00 GMT

Think New Wilmington, Pennsylvania, and many people also think about the Amish.

New population research shows the two are linked together because New Wilmington is home to one of America's 12 largest Amish settlements.

Click this story to see the 12 largest Amish communities in the U.S.