Food stamp fraud charge filed

A Butler County woman is accused of illegally receiving nearly $2,000 in federal food stamps in 2013 and 2014.

The Pennsylvania Inspector General’s office last week charged Lisa Preston, 46, of Fairview Township with a first-degree misdemeanor count of fraudulently obtaining Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program benefits.

Investigators said Preston, in applying for and obtaining public benefits, failed to disclose that her son, who resided with her at the time, was employed at a Penn Township car dealership and receiving wages.

According to court documents, Preston got $1,952 more in benefits than she should have received. Her preliminary hearing is set for June 29 at the office of District Judge Pete Shaffer in Butler.

Mental health walk held at Alameda

BUTLER TWP — A number of people gathered Saturday to participate in the “It’s Time to Walk the Walk for Mental Health,” which raised awareness of mental health issues rather than donations.

Kathy McDonnell, office coordinator for the National Alliance on Mental Illness of Butler County, said the event at Alameda Park in Butler Township was not meant to raise money.

She said the $20 registration fee went to offsetting costs and to pay for T-shirts.

McDonnell said participants were encouraged to walk at their own pace and abilities, and most people made it to the end of the walk.

“Some people make their own goals, and we help them work toward it,” she said.

McDonnell said she was pleased with the turnout and expects the event will grow next year.

“We had about 50 to 60 people,” she said. “Next year it will probably be on Main Street.”