the almanac FEBRUARY 25-MARCH 3, 2015
WPIAL swimming coverage, Page 27 C E L E B R AT I N G 5 0 Y E A R S O F S O U T H H I L L S C O M M U N I T Y N E W S
Lebo residents press opposition to deer cull By Nick Lewandowski For The Almanac writer@thealmanac.net
Despite the bitter cold, Mt. Lebanon residents turned out in force on Feb. 23 to again protest the municipality’s capture and euthanize deer cull. They lined the length of road outside the municipal building brandishing signs printed with slogans such as “$75,000 Slaughter” and “No Guns in Our Parks.” Passing cars occasionally honked in approval. Mt. Lebanon has contracted with Wildlife Services LLC to kill 150 deer at a price of $500 per deer, in hopes of halving deer-related traffic accidents. Opponents presented a raft of objections at the Feb. 23 commission meeting. They insist bait and trap is a brutally inhumane method of killing deer. They question the safety of the method, which involves luring groups of deer
NICK LEWANDOWSKI / FOR THE ALMANAC
It was a standing-room only crowd at the Feb. 23 Mt. Lebanon Board of Commissioners meeting. Residents are strongly opposed to the SEE DEER PAGE 5 recently adopted deer cull.
South Fayette commissioner enters first offenders program By Barbara S. Miller Staff writer bmiller@observer-reporter.com
A South Fayette Township commissioner charged with conspiracy, insurance fraud and related charges over expenses related to a house fire in McDonald was admitted Feb. 23 to the Accelerated Rehabilitative Disposition program for first offenders in Washington County Court.
Jessica J. Cardillo, 32, of Sturgeon, and her stepmother, Dianne E. Cardillo, 50, were prosecuted by the state attorney general’s office. Assistant Attorney General Dennis Kistler requested that Judge John DiSalle admit Jessica Cardillo to the ARD program and accept a guilty plea from her mother as both agreed in open court to testify against a third co-defendant, Michelle D’Angelo, 54, of Profio Road, McDonald, who is scheduled for a court appearance in late March. Dianne Cardillo had a prior ARD stemming
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from a drunk driving charge in 2009, so she was ineligible for the program a second time. She pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit theft by deception. Charges of insurance fraud were dismissed. She was sentenced to two years of probation and must pay a $1,000 fine and court costs. In court, the judge asked Dianne Cardillo if she took responsibility for the scheme, and she replied, “Yes.” Jessica Cardillo must spend 24 months in the ARD program, repay her share to the insurance
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company and perform 100 hours of community service. Jessica Cardillo’s attorney, Emily McNally, said after the court proceeding, “This case was handled as a first-time offense. It was an ARD disposition. She is not convicted of anything. She didn’t plead guilty to anything. It should have no effect on her public office.” Those who successfully complete the program have the opportunity to petition the court to SEE CARDILLO PAGE 2
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