Latest news with #Ghaner
Yahoo
23-05-2025
- Yahoo
Police: State College teens charged in stolen school trucks, vape shop burglary attempt
STATE COLLEGE, Pa. (WTAJ) — Two teenagers are facing a list of felony and misdemeanor charges after allegedly stealing school district vehicles, attempting to burglarize a downtown business, and damaging neighborhood homes with a BB gun, according to police. Norman Paul Ghaner, 18, of Boalsburg, and Cameron Mojica Goodman, 18, of Port Matilda were identified through school surveillance footage in connection to the May 17 theft of two State College Area School District trucks, according to the criminal complaint. Ghaner is currently free on $7,500 unsecured bail and is scheduled for a preliminary hearing on May 28 before Magisterial District Judge Casey M. McClain, court records show. Goodman's case is listed as inactive as of May 23. According to the criminal complaint filed by State College Police, surveillance video from State College Area High School showed three males, Ghaner, Goodman, and a 16-year-old juvenile, approaching parked vehicles on the evening of May 17. The trio put on ski masks before stealing a white 2012 Ford truck and a red 2005 Ford F-450 dump truck. Ghaner was identified as the driver. The same night, the white 2012 Ford truck was seen returning to the high school, where the passenger exited, stole the red 2005 Ford F-450 dump truck, and both trucks were then driven from the scene, according to the criminal complaint. In the early morning hours of May 19, police say Ghaner and Goodman attempted to break into Smoke Valley, a vape shop on East College Avenue. According to the affidavit, the teens shattered the glass door but were unable to gain entry. The teens later parked at Mount Nittany Middle School and were seen entering another parked vehicle before fleeing the area in one of the stolen trucks. At approximately 1 a.m. that morning, a State College officer spotted the white 2012 Ford truck on Discovery Drive and attempted a traffic stop. Police say Ghaner, again identified as the driver, fled at high speed, ultimately abandoning the vehicle and running away on foot. The vehicle was left in drive, according to the complaint. Later that day, police interviewed the 16-year-old involved, who admitted to his role and identified Ghaner and Goodman as co-conspirators. He told police the group had walked from Weis Markets to the high school, took the first vehicle, and later returned to steal the second. According to the affidavit, he also confirmed the group's involvement in the attempted burglary at Smoke Valley and a separate vandalism incident involving a BB gun. Police say two homes on Logan Avenue and West Foster Avenue had windows damaged by pellets, with repairs estimated to exceed $500. A witness reported seeing a white work truck, matching the description of the stolen vehicle, fleeing the scene. Neither Ghaner nor Goodman have valid driver's licenses, and police say none of the teens had permission to operate school district vehicles. Ghaner is charged with felony theft, conspiracy, burglary, and receiving stolen property, as well as misdemeanor fleeing from police and corruption of minors. Additional summary charges include driving without a license and criminal mischief, according to court records. Goodman faces a similar set of charges. His preliminary hearing date has not been listed. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
20-05-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Historic judicial race on the ballot in Huntingdon County
HUNTINGDON, Pa. (WTAJ) — Voters in Huntingdon County will head to the polls to cast their ballot in a historic race during Tuesday's primary election. For the first time ever, voters will decide who sits in the second judge's seat in the Court of Common Pleas in the race between current Huntingdon County Judge Ray Ghaner and Julia Wilt, an Assistant District Attorney in Blair County, both lifelong Huntingdon residents. Ghaner currently holds the seat after Governor Shapiro temporarily appointed him in February. He is the first person to have served in this seat. He said the time he spent practicing in all areas of law makes him a strong candidate. 'I basically have handled every type of law that a small town, rural judge would hear. And I think that's what really sets me apart is my experience,' Ghaner said. 'It's not just one area of the law, but it's in everything. So I've done everything from custody to civil. I've done criminal defense. But probably what I'm most proud of is I spent a lot of my career protecting children and the elderly.' Voters set to select new council for City of DuBois If elected, Ghaner hopes to preside over a veterans specialty court to connect veterans facing criminal charges with the resources they need. He said he's inspired to do this after seeing the way veterans in his own life support one another through hardship. 'They have a veterans food bank. It's called 'Military Share' and it happens once a month down at the football field. It's just a wonderful experience. You get all of these veterans there and the brotherhood and the camaraderie that they have. And of course, they're needing each other,' Ghaner said. When he's off the bench and not on the campaign trail, Ghaner enjoys spending time with his wife and kids and helping coach the Huntingdon High School football team. Wilt, his opponent, said she's running to put the choice of who should be judge in the hands of Huntingdon County, not Harrisburg. Wilt is hopeful to be the first woman to ever serve as judge in the county's history. She said her experience in the courtroom and the lessons she learned from her father, a former lawyer and magisterial district judge have prepared her to rule from the bench. 'I remember being very little and asking him one time what he was doing and he said he was preparing for his meeting with the inmates. And I thought that's very scary, are you not scared? And he said no, I always treat people with respect and that was a very important lesson for me to learn as a young child that everyone, regardless of who they are or where they come from, deserves to be treated with respect,' Wilt said. Wilt said, if elected, she'd want to focus on using specialty courts to support families navigating the legal process and to make sure teens in the juvenile system receive the support they need. 'There are a lot of children living under the poverty line so they may not have the resources family–wise. As far as you know, mom and dad may not be able to provide support. They may be requiring some sources outside such as juvenile probation or mental health counseling or anything like that. That's a huge issue I think in Huntingdon County,' Wilt said. Outside of the courtroom, Wilt can be found on the road, helping transport rescued pugs to shelters or to their new homes. Both Wilt and Ghaner said they'll be strict on drug traffickers coming to Huntingdon for the sole purpose of committing crime. The candidates are cross-filed, running on both the Republican and Democratic tickets. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
28-01-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Huntingdon attorney announces judicial candidacy on Shapiro's recommendation
HUNTINGDON, Pa. (WTAJ) — Huntingdon County attorney Ray Ghaner has been recommended by Gov. Josh Shapiro for appointment as the county's second common pleas judge. The nomination, pending Senate confirmation, would allow Ghaner to serve in the newly created judicial seat for the remainder of 2025. The position, granted by the state to Huntingdon County, will be filled through appointment for 2025 before being decided in the upcoming election. Ghaner confirmed his intent to run for the 10-year term, beginning in 2026. 'Again, I can't stress enough how much of an honor it is to have this recommendation,' Ghaner said, expressing gratitude to local elected officials, including Sen. Judy Ward, for their support throughout the process. Clearfield attorney Adrianne Peters Sipes announces candidacy for Judge of the Court of the Common Pleas Ghaner interviewed with state officials in Harrisburg and emerged as the top candidate among other applicants. After the Senate confirmation hearing, the appointment will be finalized. While preparing for his judicial duties, Ghaner is also assembling a campaign team. 'My work is just beginning,' he said. 'We have formed a campaign team and plan to hit the ground running to win this election.' The campaign will kick off with an announcement gathering on Tuesday, Jan. 28, 2025, at the Comfort Inn in Huntingdon. The event begins at 5:30 p.m. with social time, followed by the formal announcement at 6 p.m. Ghaner invited the public to attend and engage with his vision for the role. Ghaner emphasized his commitment to serving with impartiality. 'I'm not a politician,' he said. 'Luckily, a judge is a position that relies on the Constitution and rule of law, so it's not as political as some elected posts.' If confirmed, Ghaner's appointment will add a second judge to the Huntingdon County Court of Common Pleas, improving the county's ability to handle caseloads efficiently. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
