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Man charged with growing psychedelic mushrooms at Hempfield Towers | TribLIVE.com
Murrysville Star

Man charged with growing psychedelic mushrooms at Hempfield Towers

Paul Peirce
Paul Peirce
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Westmoreland County Prison
David W. Kalb, 41, was arrested on drug charges Monday, Dec. 7, 2015.
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Doug Oster | Tribune Review
This three dimensional work is part of the Hunt Institute for Botanical Documentation's show, The Mysterious Nature of Fungi. It was created by Martha Gene Pierson Williamson. It's one of several on display at the show.
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Hunt Institute for Botanical Documentation
This watercolor painting inspired the Hunt Institute for Botanical Documentation's show 'The Mysterious Nature of Fungi.' Bruno discovered the work a couple years ago and made a mental note of it, to be used in a future show. It's Pilobolus Tode, Pilobolaceae by Carmen Sylvia Zocchio-Fidalgo.
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This watercolor is part of the Hunt Institute for Botanical Documentation's show, The Mysterious Nature of Fungi. The work is Amanita phalloides by John Wilkinson.
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This watercolor is part of the Hunt Institute for Botanical Documentation's show, The Mysterious Nature of Fungi. The work is Morel by Marilena Pistoia.
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This art is part of the Hunt Institute for Botanical Documentation's show, The Mysterious Nature of Fungi. Cantharellus Adanson, Cantharellaceae, gouache on paper by Rebecca A. Boyer Merrilees.
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This watercolor is part of the Hunt Institute for Botanical Documentation's show, The Mysterious Nature of Fungi. the work is Ramaria botrytis by Ernöne Koch.
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This watercolor is part of the Hunt Institute for Botanical Documentation's show, The Mysterious Nature of Fungi. The work shows various fungi and is painted by by Rosano Maggiora.
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This watercolor is part of the Hunt Institute for Botanical Documentation's show, The Mysterious Nature of Fungi. Boletus calopus is by Aurel Dermek.
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This watercolor is part of the Hunt Institute for Botanical Documentation's show, The Mysterious Nature of Fungi. Boletus aestivalis by Claus Caspari.
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Doug Oster | Trib Total Media
Carrie Roy (left), assistant curator, and curator Lugene Bruno put together 'The Mysterious Nature of Fungi' at the Hunt Institute for Botanical Documentation.
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Photo by John Stuart
Above, an Amanita rubescens, or 'blusher' mushroom, found by club members during an Aug. 13 walk along the Braddock Trail.
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Photo by Mary Plakidas
Above, an Artomyces pyxidatus, or crown-tipped coral mushroom, found on one of the club's walks.
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Photo by Mary Plakidas
Above, a crown-tipped coral mushroom, found during one of the club's walks.
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In this Friday, May 6, 2016 photo, mushroom growers Andy Bojanowski, left, and Nick Laskovski inoculate logs with shiitake spawn at Eddy Farm in Middlebury, Vt.

A tenant at a Westmoreland County Housing Authority complex in Hempfield was arrested Monday after state troopers discovered a psychedelic mushroom manufacturing operation in his apartment.

Trooper Ryan Marmol reported that police were called for a report of a disturbance at the residence of David W. Kalb, 41, at Hempfield Towers on South Grande Boulevard about 6:40 p.m.

When troopers arrived, they met Kalb, who was involved in the disturbance.

“Kalb opened the door to his apartment and invited (Marmol) in. ... In plain view, I observed a small amount of marijuana, 70 mushroom plants and 10 mason jars containing active ingredients to manufacture psychedelic mushrooms,” Marmol wrote in a police report.

Kalb was arraigned on charges of manufacture and delivery of a controlled substance, as well as possession of marijuana and drug paraphernalia.

Executive Director Michael L. Washowich said the housing authority intends to evict Kalb from the public housing facility south of Greensburg.

“I can tell you eviction proceedings will begin immediately. Those type of illegal activities will not be tolerated and are definitely in violation of the lease agreement,” Washowich said.

A state police spokesman, Trooper Stephen Limani, said the distribution of psychedelic mushrooms is uncommon in the region.

“It's extremely rare,” said the 17-year state police veteran.

Kalb was ordered by Unity District Judge Michael Mahady to be held in the Westmoreland County Prison on $10,000 bail. His preliminary hearing is scheduled for Dec. 15 before Youngwood District Judge James Falcon.

Paul Peirce is a reporter for Trib Total Media. He can be reached at ppeirce@tribweb.com or 724-850-2860.