LOCK HAVEN, PA – Clinton County District Attorney Dave Strouse reported that Britney Hostrander, a 28-year-old from Williamsport, was sentenced on Tuesday to an 84-month term of supervision. The sentencing included nine months in the Clinton County Correctional Facility and six months under house arrest. Clinton County Court of Common Pleas Judge Michael F. Salisbury sentenced Hostrander for one count of Access Device Fraud, two counts of Identity Theft , and two counts of Financial Exploitation of an Older Adult.
The charges were brought against Hostrander after a 76-year-old woman from McElhatten and her 80-year-old husband noticed unusual purchases on their credit cards. Pine Creek Sgt. Denny Gill traced the fraud back to Hostrander, who had used the couple’s credit cards for personal expenses, including vehicle costs and paying off fines in a separate Mifflin County criminal case.
Despite Hostrander’s apology and full restitution before sentencing, along with her request for probation, Judge Salisbury decided on a custodial sentence followed by an extensive supervisory period. Additionally, Hostrander is now barred from any employment involving services to older individuals. It was revealed during the pre-sentence investigation that Hostrander secured employment with another home care company amidst her pending criminal charges.
- Officer cleared after hospital lobby shooting in Allentown
Investigation finds officer justified under Pennsylvania use of force law
Allentown, PA – A police officer who fired a single shot inside the former Good Shepherd Hospital after a woman advanced toward him with a knife and a device resembling a weapon was justified in using deadly force and will not face criminal charges, the Lehigh County District Attorney announced.
The officer involved in the January 11 shooting at approximately 5:50 p.m. at 850 South 5th St. will not be publicly identified. The woman who was shot, identified in the report as N. N-G., survived. No other individuals discharged weapons or were injured.
Lehigh County District Attorney Gavin Holihan said the shooting was reviewed jointly by the Allentown Police Department and the District Attorney’s Office Homicide Task Force. The review included body worn camera footage, surveillance video from inside the hospital lobby, witness interviews and physical evidence.
According to the investigation, a security guard working in the lobby reported that N. N-G. knocked on a window and asked for emergency medical services, stating she was being abused. The guard described her as stressed and anxious and allowed her inside before calling for assistance.
When Allentown EMS and the officer arrived, the guard briefed them and led them into the lobby. As medics began speaking with N. N-G., she stood up holding a knife. One medic alerted others that she had a knife and retreated. The officer repeatedly ordered her to drop the weapon.
Witness statements and video show that over approximately 45 seconds, the officer issued 16 commands for her to drop the knife. N. N-G. did not comply and moved toward the officer and others in the lobby, at one point stating, “It’s just a knife.”
Investigators said N. N-G. later turned toward the officer while holding the knife in one hand and a yellow and black object in the other. The officer described the object as having a handle and trigger and appearing capable of firing projectiles. As she raised and pointed the object toward him while advancing, the officer discharged one round, striking her in the pelvis.
After being shot, N. N-G. discarded both the object and the knife. Responders moved the items out of reach and provided medical treatment, including tourniquets, before additional personnel arrived.
The object was later identified as a digital infrared non contact thermometer, commonly referred to as a temperature gun. Investigators noted that it resembled a taser in size, shape and color scheme.
Holihan concluded that under Pennsylvania law governing use of force by law enforcement, the officer reasonably believed deadly force was necessary to prevent death or serious bodily injury to himself or others. The review determined the officer’s belief was both subjectively and objectively reasonable given the circumstances, including the presence of the knife and the manner in which the device was presented.
The district attorney stated that no criminal charges will be filed against the officer and that the review of his conduct is complete.
A confrontation that unfolded in less than a minute inside a hospital lobby ended with a single gunshot and a ruling that the officer’s actions were justified under state law.
Key Points
- An officer shot a woman once inside the former Good Shepherd Hospital on January 11 after she advanced with a knife and a device resembling a weapon
- The device was later identified as a digital infrared thermometer that resembled a taser
- The Lehigh County District Attorney ruled the use of deadly force was justified and no charges will be filed
- Lehigh County store sells nearly 200K lottery ticket
Fast Play ticket worth nearly 200000 sold in Lehigh County
Middletown, PA – A Pennsylvania Lottery player who bought a Fast Play ticket in Lehigh County is holding a progressive top prize worth $197,473 after the winning ticket was sold Sunday, lottery officials announced.
The winning Suite Winnings ticket was sold at E-Z Shoppe, located at 52 West Main St. in Macungie Borough. The retailer will receive a $500 bonus for selling the top prize-winning ticket.
Suite Winnings is a $10 Fast Play game that offers progressive top prizes starting at $125,000. Fast Play tickets print on demand from a lottery sales terminal or self service touchscreen vending terminal. The games operate similarly to Scratch-Off tickets but do not require scratching or waiting for a drawing.
Players can determine if they have won by reviewing the printed ticket or scanning it at a lottery retailer or by using the Ticket Checker feature on the Pennsylvania Lottery’s official app.
Lottery officials said the holder of a top prize-winning Fast Play ticket should sign the back of the ticket and contact the Pennsylvania Lottery. Prizes must be claimed and tickets validated before winners are identified.
Fast Play prizes must be claimed within one year of the ticket purchase date. Lottery prizes exceeding $5,000 are subject to applicable withholding.
The identity of the winner has not been released.
One printed ticket in Macungie Borough has now delivered a $197,473 prize to an unidentified Pennsylvania Lottery player.
Key Points
- A $197,473 Suite Winnings Fast Play ticket was sold Sunday in Lehigh County
- The winning ticket was purchased at E-Z Shoppe in Macungie Borough
- The retailer will receive a $500 bonus for selling the top prize ticket
- Pop N Brew store rings up six figure Pennsylvania Lottery winner
Fast Play ticket worth more than 116000 sold in Westmoreland County
Middletown, PA – A Pennsylvania Lottery player who purchased a Fast Play ticket in Westmoreland County is holding a progressive top prize worth $116,503 after the winning ticket was sold Tuesday, lottery officials announced.
The winning Lightning Loot ticket was sold at Pop ‘N Brew Super Store, located at 260 East Main St. in Mount Pleasant Township. The retailer will receive a $500 bonus for selling the top prize-winning ticket.
Lightning Loot is a $5 Fast Play game that offers progressive top prizes starting at $50,000. Fast Play tickets print on demand from a lottery sales terminal or self service touchscreen vending terminal. The games are similar to Scratch-Off tickets but do not require scratching or waiting for a drawing.
Players can determine if they have won by reviewing the printed ticket or scanning it at a lottery retailer or by using the Ticket Checker feature on the Pennsylvania Lottery’s official app.
Lottery officials said the holder of a top prize-winning Fast Play ticket should sign the back of the ticket and contact the Pennsylvania Lottery. Prizes must be claimed and tickets validated before winners are identified.
Fast Play prizes must be claimed within one year of the ticket purchase date. Lottery prizes exceeding $5,000 are subject to applicable withholding.
The identity of the winner has not been released.
One ticket printed at a Westmoreland County store has now turned into a six figure payday for a Pennsylvania Lottery player.
Key Points
- A $116,503 Lightning Loot Fast Play ticket was sold Tuesday in Westmoreland County
- The winning ticket was purchased at Pop ‘N Brew Super Store in Mount Pleasant Township
- The retailer will receive a $500 bonus for selling the top prize ticket