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FEBRUARY 27, 2014 | WAYNESBURG UNIVERSITY | THEYELLOWJACKET.ORG
Taco Bell approved in Franklin Township Contruction to begin soon; open in time for fall term By CHELSEA DICKS Managing Editor
'No one saw this coming'
Teen's murder focus of Dating Violence Awareness event held at high school By JENNY SCHOUPPE
Online Content Manager
“My daughter, Demi, was brutally murdered by her ex-boyfriend just one day after celebrating her 16th birthday." Dr. Gary Cuccia spoke of his daughters untimely death at a Teen Dating Violence Awareness event held by Waynesburg University’s Bonner Scholars at Waynesburg Central High School, Feb. 20. According to Cuccia, in August 2007, John Mullarkey Jr.,18, of Monroeville stabbed 16-year-old Gateway High School cheerleader, Demi Brae Cuccia, 16 times in the upper left chest, arm and shoulder. Mullarkey then tried to take his own life by slashing a 10-inch gash across his own throat. Mullarkey attacked and killed Cuccia simply because she tried to break up with him. Demi, Cuccia's daughter had been dating Mullarkey and suspected nothing on the lines of violence or abuse. “I will never forget that night,” said Cuccia. “My daughter never made it to the hospital, she bled to death in a neighbors’ arms but that boy survived.” The jury convicted Mullarkey of first-degree murder for the death of Demi. In Pennsylvania the conviction carries a mandatory life sentence with no possibility of parole. In honor of Teen Dating Violence Awareness Month, Waynesburg University Bonner Scholars held this event to shed light on teen dating violence with hopes that they can help to never let an incident like Demi’s happen again. The event, “Love is Not Abuse,” featured skits about healthy and non-healthy relationships performed by Bonner scholars followed by speaker Cuccia. According to the U.S. Dept. of Justice, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, one in three teens experience some kind of abuse in their romantic relationships. It is also noted that the most severe abuse happens during or after a break up. “We hope to raise awareness about the importance of teen dating violence,” said junior Bonner Scholar Dan Garcia. “We need to make people realize that teen dating violence is a big deal and effects a lot of teens. We don’t want what happened to Demi to happen to another teenager.” Demi’s death has encouraged Cuccia to spread awareness and help teens realize that anyone could be involved in an abusive relationship. “Demi just turned 16 years old, just passed her drivers permit test, she was full of life, she had a
Jenny Schouppe, Yellow Jacket
(Above left) Waynesburg University Bonner students portray a fictional scene of dating violence at an event at Waynesburg Central High School Feb. 20. Dr. Gary Cuccia (above right) shared with high school students the emotional story of his daughter Demi's murder. whole lot of friends, she was well liked, she loved God, was very grounded, was an honor roll student, and she had a lot of things going for her in life,” said Cuccia. “No one saw this coming.” During Cuccia’s speech, he highlighted there are always signs to look for when it comes to an abusive relationship but much of society does not know what to look for or what they are. “I was a dad that was never aware that teens went through things like this until this happened to Demi,” said Cuccia. “At the time we didn’t see the signs, but looking back now there was plenty of red flags and warning signs.” Cuccia rattled off a handful of red flags, some being extreme jealousy, controlling behavior, unrealistic expectations and verbal abuse. According to Cuccia, Mullarkey wanted his
daughter to quit cheerleading and would call and text her endlessly throughout her day. He also heard from Demi’s friends that she would lie to Mullarkey about where she was and who she was spending time with because she knew he would disapprove. “So if you’re partner is trying to make you feel guilty for hanging out with friends or doing activities that you love or trying to pick those things for you, then those are some classic red signs,” said Cuccia. “Don’t make excuses for an abusive partner. You’ll always be compromising yourself to please your partner and you’ll never make that person happy and you’ll never be able to change them.” Bonner Scholars and Cuccia encouraged teens throughout the evening to stand up and help friends if they see signs of them being in an unhealthy relationship. Cuccia urged people to speak up in any situation where they may see teen dating violence occurring. He included some advice for victims in abusive relationships. “If you’re in an abusive relationship then don’t allow yourself to be put in a situation where you’re alone during or after a break up,” said Cuccia. “I feel that if Demi would have had an assembly at school that mentioned this one thing then maybe she would have known not to let him come over when she was home alone. She would be alive today. Just that one thing could have made the biggest difference in the world.” The event only drew a small crowd of around 20-30, but those who attended received a lot of helpful information. “I’m hoping events like this can help teens realize what a healthy relationship is supposed to look like,” said 13-year-oldKyliene Walters. “I myself needed to learn the signs before I realized that I was in an abusive relationship.” Walters spoke openly about her past relationship with an older boy and how events such as “Love is Not Abuse” have helped her recover and move on. “My boyfriend abused me,” said Walter. “Though I live in a supportive loving home, I still attend events like this because it helps me to hear others’ stories and get advice from people who have experienced similar situations.” Cuccia hopes to encourage teens like Walters that a healthy relationship is about complimenting each other, not about controlling each other and also that good things can come out of terrible situations. “God has a way of turning something so horrific into something that can be used for good and make a difference in other people’s lives,” said Cuccia.
Another Mexican restaurant is on its way to Greene County. With the addition of Don Patron Mexican Grill on High Street highly anticipated, the Greene County community received more good news about another possible expansion of eating choices in the area. Monday, Franklin Township supervisors gave conditional approval for plans of constructing a Taco Bell restaurant. The new restaurant would be built in front of the Greene Plaza next to the Wendy’s restaurant off Route 21. The plans for the construction of a Taco Bell were presented earlier and went through the review process of the township planning commission. Charter Foods North, LLC. of Talbott, Tenn., is the company plannned in constructing the Taco Bell, according to the supervisors. The plans include a 2,465 square-foot restaurant on the lot that was formerly the site of the Ameri-Lub. The plan also includes a parking area with 21 spaces and an entrance and exit set modeled like the one of Wendy's. The conditional approval came with 16 conditions that needed to be met in order to pass. Requirements for approval include: agreeing to conform to the Americans with Disabilities Act in regard to parking; receive a highway occupancy permit if a new sanitary sewer line is installed, which will require work on Route 21; the developer identifies the location of storm lines already existing; provide signs for traffic circulation through the driveway, propose outside lighting that would not create a glare on properties near the establishment and indicate erosion and sedimentation controls. Access into the future restaurant will be through the Greene Plaza parking lot where Big Lots and other stores are located. Construction is scheduled to begin in spring 2014, and the Taco Bell restaurant will open by the start of the 201415 school year.
Missing driller's remains Lawsuit filed against former county sheriff complaint, was the only fe- “Ms. Sowden was provided different training and found at gas well site Suit alleges male employee in the office By CHELSEA DICKS Managing Editor
Since the Lanco 7H gas well explosion Feb. 11 that raged for five days, crews have been searching for one missing worker, 27-year-old Ian McFee, of Morgantown, W. Va. On Wednesday, Feb. 19, Pennsylvania State Police released that they found bone fragments they believe to have belonged to McFee. The Greene County Coroner’s Office is examining the bones in attempt to identify them. McFee was a field service technician for Cameron In-
ternational, a subcontractor working at the Chevron gas well site in Dunkard. He had two years of experience at the job. McFee is survived by his fiancé and unborn child. The fire broke out as workers were preparing to run tubing down the well shaft. The state police Aviation Unit conducted recognizance trying to locate McFee. As of Wednesday, crews could only get 15 feet from the wellhead using specialized equipment. Specialists from Wild Well Control Inc. of Houston are leading the efforts at the site for Chevron See WELL on B4
hostile work environment By JAMES WITTE Op-Ed Editor
The former chief Greene County deputy sheriff filed a lawsuit on Feb. 12 against her former boss Richard Ketchum. She alleged she was subject to constant harassment and a “hostile work environment.” Lisa Sowden of Jefferson, through her attorney Dennis Makel, filed the lawsuit complaint in Greene County Court. Sowden, according to the
and as such, was subject to different treatment from her male co-workers by authority. According to the complaint, “Ms. Sowden was provided different training and was verbally assaulted and harassed orally in front of male employees, when none of the other male deputies were ever subjected to such humiliation and undermining.” Additionally, Sowden alleges she was on call 24 hours a day and was not granted any time off. At the same time Sowden's male coworkers were not subjected to the same conditions. Sowden stated in the com-
was verbally assaulted and harassed orally in front of male employees, when none of the other male deputies were ever subjected to such humiliation and undermining.”
LAWSUIT COMPLAINT
Filed by Lisa Sowden
plaint that in August 2013, when the hostile work environment did not cease, Makel wrote to the human relations department requesting that Ketchum, “cease and desist the workplace harassment of Ms. Sowden.” According to the complaint, the harassment did not cease. Ketchum served as sheriff of Greene County for 24 years before announcing in
2013 that he would not be seeking re-election. Brian Tennant won the Democratic nomination for sheriff in the spring primary. He defeated Ketchum’s son, Erik Ketchum and William Lewis Jr. Tennant also secured the Republican nomination on write-in votes. Sowden was laid off on Dec. 31, days before Tennant took office.