radioNovo News for State College: September 3, 2026

RNN STATE COLLEGE 09/03/26          THE ALLEGED RINGLEADER OF A MAJOR COCAINE TRAFFICKING RING AT PENN STATE HAS BEEN RELEASED ON BAIL. CENTRE COUNTY PRESIDENT JUDGE JONATHAN GRINE SET BAIL AT 250 THOUSAND DOLLARS FOR 24-YEAR-OLD AGOSTINO ABBATIELLO, WHO IS ACCUSED OF HEADING AN OPERATION THAT SOLD LARGE AMOUNTS OF COCAINE THROUGH TWO OFF-CAMPUS FRATERNITY HOUSES.            ABBATIELLO'S DEFENSE ATTORNEY PHILLIP MASORTI SAID HE WAS HAPPY WITH THE OUTCOME OF YESTERDAY'S PRELIMINARY HEARING:          {MASORTI0903-A}------- :07 SEC.......... AND HIS FAMILY           ABBATIELLO WAS ORDERED TO SURRENDER HIS PASSPORT AND MAY NOT CONSUME DRUGS OR ALCOHOL.  HE'S EXPECTED TO LIVE WITH HIS PARENTS ON LONG ISLAND WHILE THE CASE MOVES THROUGH THE JUDICIAL SYSTEM.  13 OTHER MEN ARE ALSO FACING CHARGES RELATED TO THE ALLEGED DRUG RING AND HAD THEIR CASES MOVED FORWARD FOLLOWING WEDNESDAY'S COURT ACTION.            THE BELLEFONTE AREA SCHOOL BOARD HAS ACCEPTED THE RESIGNATION OF BOARD MEMBER TIMOTHY KESSLING AFTER MORE THAN TWO YEARS IN OFFICE. KESSLING STEPPED DOWN TO PURSUE A NEW OPPORTUNITY, LEAVING OVER A YEAR ON HIS TERM. THE DISTRICT BEGINS ACCEPTING APPLICATIONS FOR THE OPEN SEAT THURSDAY, WITH PLANS TO APPOINT A SUCCESSOR ON SEPTEMBER 22ND.