Ex-PTA president charged with theft

A past president of the South Fayette PTA was charged Thursday with stealing nearly $20,000 from the organization.

Kristin L. Mandrick, 47, of Oakdale was charged with theft and forgery, both felonies, following an investigation by the Allegheny County district attorney’s office.

“Ms. Mandrick categorically denies all allegations against her,” said her attorney, Blaine Jones.

He added that his client had worked for more than five years for the South Fayette PTA “doing all that she could to enhance the organization. …”

According to court documents, the PTA checking account registered a negative balance in 2016 — about the time PTA officers filed a complaint with South Fayette police — after showing a $30,000 surplus a few years earlier.

Investigators accused Ms. Mandrick of stealing $19,729.04 between May 2015 and August 2016.

Ms. Mandrick was freed on $20,000 unsecured bond. A preliminary hearing is scheduled for Oct. 15.

Former teacher admits taking part in drug ring

A former teacher admitted Thursday to her role in what prosecutors have said is the largest cocaine ring, in terms of volume, ever uncovered in Western Pennsylvania.

Renee Kinder, 46, of Donora, a former elementary teacher in the Ringgold School District, pleaded guilty in federal court to a count of possession with intent to deliver.

U.S. District Judge Mark Hornak said he’ll sentence her Jan. 22.

The remedial reading teacher, was among nearly 40 people charged in an FBI investigation of a ring allegedly run by Don Juan Mendoza, a Florida narcotics dealer. She is the third defendant to plead. unarmed.

Judge Anthony M. Mariani had been assigned to hear the case but recused himself Wednesday. The Allegheny County district attorney’s office filed a motion requesting the gag order last week.

Police said Antwon and another teen, Zaijuan Hester, were in a jitney that evening, and Zaijuan fired a gun from the back seat during a drive-by shooting in North Braddock.

A few minutes later, Officer Rosfeld spotted the vehicle and pulled it over. Antwon and Zaijuan ran away, and the officer fired three shots that struck Antwon.

The DA’s office filed the homicide charge against Officer Rosfeld eight days later. He faces trial Feb. 26. said.

Initially, police thought she was struck by a vehicle, but later they said they found no evidence of that.

The accident resulted in the temporary closure of Route 910 in the area of Blue Run Road.