Warrant Issued After Castle Shannon Home Invasion

Allegheny County police have issued a warrant for Jonathan David MacCowan, 35, of Mt. Washington, according to the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review.

Police have issued a warrant for a man who allegedly assaulted another man during a home invasion in Castle Shannon, according to a report from the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review. According to the report, Allegheny County Police issued a warrant for Jonathan David MacCowan, 35, of Mt. Washington, on charges of carrying a firearm without a licence, aggravated assault, burglary, robbery, conspiracy and reckless endangerment. He is described as 5 feet 9 inches tall, with brown hair and brown eyes. MacCowen allegedly broke into a Castle Shannon apartment and assaulted a resident, who was taken to a local hospital for treatment. To read the full story from the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review, click here. Follow Dormont-Brookline Patch on Facebook and …

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UPDATE: Castle Shannon Woman Found

Joan Lynn Meissonier, 59, of Castle Shannon, had been reported missing on New Year's Day.

UPDATE (Thursday, Jan. 3, 2013, 1:59 p.m.): According to Castle Shannon police, Meissonier was found in Pittsburgh's East Liberty area on Thursday afternoon by an acquaintance who then notified a family member. - - - - - Below is the original article, published on Jan. 2. A woman missing from Castle Shannon Borough could be in danger, according to the Castle Shannon police website. Joan Lynn Meissonier, 59, was last seen yesterday, Jan. 1, around 2 p.m. According to the report, she is not carrying her medication, her purse or any identification. Meissonier is described as 5'5" and weighing about 120 pounds. She has green eyes, dark brown shoulder-length hair, and may be wearing tennis shoes and a black winter coat. She has told her family …

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Elections: How Did the Keystone Oaks District Vote in 2012?

Here's a breakdown of how the three communities in the Keystone Oaks School District voted in the 2012 election.

On Election Day 2012, polling clerks in Dormont reported high voter turnouts—much higher than in local elections over the past four years. Reports were similar throughout Allegheny County. Many attributed it to this being a presidential election year, and to the tension surrounding this particular presidential election. So how many people really did go to the polls on Nov. 6, 2012? And how did the people of your voting district cast their ballots? Here are the numbers, which also can be found on the Allegheny County website.   255 (43.44%) 1,327     Follow Dormont-Brookline Patch on Facebook and Twitter. For more news, sign up for our email Newsletter.

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Police Seek Public's Help With Brookline Burglaries

Pittsburgh police are asking for the public's help to solve a spree of overnight burglaries in Brookline.

Days after arresting two Brookline residents for a spree of thefts in the neighborhood, Pittsburgh police are asking for the public's help to solve overnight burglaries in the same area. Eight home buglaries in Brookline have been reported since mid-August. In most cases, the burglar entered the homes through unlocked windows or side doors. In five of those cases, the residents were at home and sleeping when the burglary occurred. Electronics, money and jewelry have been stolen. Police are warning residents to lock doors and windows, especially at night. Those with information about the burglaries should call the Pittsburgh Police Burglary Squad at 412-323-7155. Callers can remain anonymous.  Brookline isn't the only neighborhood dealing …

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Nearby: Overnight Burglary in Castle Shannon

People were in the home when the burglary occurred.

Castle Shannon Police are investigating a burglary that occurred in an occupied home Tuesday night. The burglar gained entry to the home—located on Sixth Street, near the Whitehall Borough border—though an unlocked rear kitchen window. Cash was stolen from a purse left on the kitchen table. Castle Shannon Police urge residents to lock doors and windows when leaving the house and when going to bed at night. Anyone witnessing or hearing suspicious people, vehicles or activity should call 9-1-1 for immediate police response. Allegheny County Police are assisting with the investigations. Follow Dormont-Brookline Patch on Facebook and Twitter. For more news, sign up for our email Newsletter.

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Nearby Roadwork Could Affect Dormont, Brookline Residents

Work on Banksville Road and Route 88 could affect Dormont and Brookline residents this weekend and next week.

Nearby road work happening this weekend and next week could affect Dormont and Brookline residents traveling through the area. Banksville Road work continues this weekend, July 20 to 23, weather permitting, and could affect residents in Dormont, Mt. Lebanon and the City of Pittsburgh. Single lane traffic will occur from 8 p.m. on Friday through 6 a.m. on Monday on Banksville Road between the Parkway West (I-376) and Beverly Road. One lane will remain open in each direction. The passing lanes will be closed. Crews will be milling and paving and installing mountable curbs.  In addition, short-term closures and traffic stoppages may occur on side streets. Starting next week, work to improve drainage and shoulders on Route 88 in Castle Shannon…

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Do You Have What It Takes?

The Citizens Fire Academy is now taking applications, and this year includes Dormont and Castle Shannon as well as Mt. Lebanon.

What started as a Mt. Lebanon initiative could now benefit Dormont. The Citizens Fire Academy will be held at the Mt. Lebanon Public Safety Center this fall, and this year, Mt. Lebanon has asked the fire departments of Dormont and Castle Shannon to join in. “We’re all excited about it,” said Dormont VFD Deputy Chief Jeff Arnold. “Right now our membership is down and we’re trying to come up with a way to get people’s interest up. This is a good way to do it.” The Citizens Fire Academy gives those interested in knowing more about fire departments the chance to experience the job for themselves. Participants will tour local fire departments, wear the gear, use the Jaws of Life in a mock vehicle extraction, go on ride-alongs, and learn fire …

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Bomb Threat Reported, Cleared in Castle Shannon

A bomb threat was reported at a Castle Shannon Bank on Friday morning.

Water Main Break Monday in Castle Shannon

A water main break left 40 people without water in Castle Shannon on Monday.

A water main break in Castle Shannon left 40 people without water Monday, according to reports by WPXI and WTAE. According to reports, an 8-inch line broke around 6 p.m. Monday evening on Blossom Hill Road, shooting thousands of gallons of water into the air and onto the street. About eight homes sustained water damage and many Castle Shannon residents were without water. Castle Shannon residents are part of the Keystone Oaks School District, which also includes Dormont and Green Tree. Residents told Dormont-Brookline Patch on Monday night that the break did not affect water in Dormont or Brookline. Click here to read WPXI's report, and for WTAE's report, click here.

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More Charges Filed Against Former Castle Shannon Priest

Rev. Bartley Sorensen, who was charged with possessing illegal pornography last week, now faces new charges.

WPXI reports that Rev. Bartley Sorensen, formerly of St. Anne Church in Castle Shannon and now of St. John Fisher Parish in Churchill, faces new charges in addition to charges filed last week after a church employee reportly saw him looking at porn. According to WPXI's report, Sorensen was found to be in possession of compact dics containing more than 5,000 child pornography images, two child pornography videos, pictures and books that were found when police searched St. John Fisher Parish. Sorensen has been removed from active ministry and placed on administrative leave.

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