A Look Back at County Newsmakers of 2016

by Jonathan Weaver

Of the hundreds of sources interviewed and thousands of photographs taken during the course of 2016, undoubtedly readers saw many names frequently – for positive or negative reasons (or maybe both).

Some of those individuals include:

The Armstrong County Commissioners – Pat Fabian, Jason Renshaw and George Skamai

Since their swearing-in ceremony in January, the newly-elected county commissioners have garnered either praise or criticism for their many decisions in the County Administration Building in Kittanning.

Some of the decisions local residents and voters either applauded or booed include: re-open the County Budget (but subsequently not changing it), a hiring and capital purchase freeze through half of the year, making plans to increase the local hotel tax, continuing with the purchase of 3-D mapping software, finalizing a lease agreement to move Armsdale Administrative Building offices into Kittanning Borough, committing to the future sale of the Armstrong County Health Center in Kittanning and the subsequent layoffs and cutbacks made to balance the 2017 budget.

Sheriff Deputy K-9 Blak

Since mid-2015, County Sheriff Bill Rupert and his team of deputies had been fundraising for a K-9 officer to join their force and become the first county K-9 in a decade.

And after raising more than $50,000 in donations, Sheriff Rupert and Deputy Theresa Gipson traveled to Mercer County to choose Gipson’s new partner in March - a 1 ½ year old German shepherd named “Blak.”

A former U.S. Army veterinary technician, Deputy Gipson began the first few half of 2016 allowing community groups and schools to meet her new partner.

Fundraising efforts will be held annually to maintain care of the German shepherd.

Warden Phillip Shaffer

After former Armstrong County Jail Warden David Hogue resigned effective in November 2015, Prison Board officials interviewed for his replacement in mid-January.

After interviewing nine regional candidates, Sheriff Rupert (Prison Board President) motioned for the hire of Deputy Warden of Security at the Butler County Jail, Phillip M. Shaffer.

Shaffer began at the end of February.

Interim Warden Matt Roofner was reinstated as a Deputy Warden following Shaffer’s hire.

Since last summer, County officials have installed many security upgrades at the jail in Rayburn Township – including a siren (which is checked monthly), updated policies and procedures and a new phone alert system. More changes were also recently instituted – including not allowing guests cell phones or computers without authorized consent, not allowing large bags and requiring all guests be searched with a handheld metal detector before entry.

Robert Crissman

The former-Templeton man’s escape from the Armstrong County Jail in July 2015 has caused shockwaves throughout Armstrong County personnel, procedures and emergency management since and his trial for the murder of a Boggs Township woman lasted the course of three days in May.

Following testimony by experts and those who interacted with Crissman that July 2015 morning, a jury found Crissman guilty and Armstrong County President Judge Kenneth Valasek committed the escapee and convicted murderer to life behind bars without parole.

Jurors could not determine a motive for the killing – which forensic pathologist Dr. Cyril Wecht estimated during his testimony Wednesday occurred between 6:30 and 8:30AM the morning of Crissman’s escape.

An appeal to the Superior Court of Pennsylvania was filed earlier this month while Crissman prepares his rebuttal case.

Gary DeComo

The Ford City magisterial district judge was honored by U.S. Congressman Mike Kelly (R-Butler) and ACMH CEO John Lewis with a “Community Champion Award” in June on the East Franklin Township hospital campus for his devotion to kicking the community drug epidemic through the Drugs Kill Dreams campaign.

Judge DeComo was first inspired to begin the Drugs Kill Dreams program when, after taking office in 1994, a 13-year-old girl was charged with underage drinking for drinking vodka each morning before she getting on the school bus.

He started by visiting local schools with an anti-drug message – as he continues today – but instituted the program in 2000 with the help of the Manor Township Lions Club.

In front of about 75 community supporters, Representative Kelly said Drugs Kill Dreams has flourished thanks to collaborations with local schools, law enforcement agencies and groups like ACMH and asked for individuals to pledge their support.

Kenneth Valasek

In September, Court of Common Pleas Judge Kenneth Valasek announced his plans to retire at the end of the year, following 25 years of service behind the bench.

Judge Valasek, originally of Ford City, recalled wanting to be a lawyer when he graduated from Ford City Junior/Senior High in 1967. He served as a private lawyer in a firm with David Suckling along North McKean Street in Kittanning from 1974 until Valasek faced Roger Mechling in the 1991 General Election and won.

Voters voiced to retain Valasek in 2001 and 2011. He served as President Judge the past nine years, succeeding now-Senior Judge Joseph Nickleach.

During the past 25 years, Valasek said the most memorable court case he sat on was the 2003 multi-day murder trial of four-year-old Kristen Tater, of Parks Township.

Judge Valasek will be succeeded as President Judge by Court of Common Pleas Judge James Panchik – who is also from Ford City.

Valasek will work part-time as Senior Judge at least through 2017, only thinking one year at a time.

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