Fight at Kennywood results in charges

WEST MIFFLIN — Police say nine juveniles have been charged stemming from a fight that forced Kennywood Park to close early on opening day.

Police say they identified the youths from park surveillance video. They face summary and misdemeanor charges.

Summary offenses are the most minor type of offense in Pennsylvania.

Police were called to the park May 2 for reports of dozens of young people pushing, shoving, fighting running around and causing a disturbance.

Police say the investigation is ongoing and several more people could be arrested.

Kennywood says it has since increased security. The West Mifflin Police Department has a substation on the property.

The park also may bring back a chaperone policy for minors.

The youths are not being identified because of their age.

Youth wants new trial in 2009 slaying

NEW CASTLE — A judge says he won’t grant a new juvenile court trial to a teenager who was 11 when he was charged with fatally shooting his father’s pregnant fiancee.

Jordan Brown had asked Lawrence County Judge John Hodge to dismiss the charges or grant him a new hearing.

The judge denied the request on Tuesday. Brown’s lawyer says he will appeal.

Brown was charged and convicted as a juvenile in the February 2009 shotgun slaying of Kenzie Houk, 26, and her unborn son.

State police and prosecutors have repeatedly said none of the evidence points to anyone but Brown. The defense contends the investigation amounted to a rush to judgment against the boy.

Under Pennsylvania law, juvenile offenders can be held only until age 21. Brown is 17.

Counselor charged after sex with teen

ROSTRAVER TOWNSHIP — Authorities say a high school guidance counselor has been charged after having sex with a football player who came to her for help.

Lianne Danko, 33, of Rostraver was charged Thursday with three counts of institutional sex assault.

Her lawyer, David Shrager, says the Ringgold High School counselor is well-liked and respected in the community and will fight the charges.

Police say she engaged in an inappropriate relationship with an 18-year-old student who was seeing Danko to discuss relationship problems. They say pair began exchanging intimate text messages and later met in a parking lot to have sex.

Police say another school counselor reported the relationship after a student showed her screenshots of a text message conversation between Danko and the student.