Cubbal is arraigned

Cubbal is arraigned
NEW CASTLE, Pa. -- An area man accused of stealing from the city's parking authority has surrendered.
Paul John Cubbal Jr., 49, E. Friendship St., New Castle, a former parking authority employee, was arraigned before District Justice Melissa Amodie Tuesday and released on $2,000 bond.
He, along with Donald E. Pallerino, former executive director of the parking authority, 55, of Naples, Fla., and Pallerino's son, John Pallerino, 28, Cape Coral, Fla., have been charged with stealing more than $12,000 from the authority -- including money collected from city parking meters.
Police also believe Donald Pallerino used some 73 parking authority checks totaling $8,000 for personal use.
The charges are the result of a yearlong investigation.
Items stolen from cars
GREENVILLE, Pa. -- Police said thieves stole items from at least 10 unlocked vehicles around town Monday night.
The thefts ranged from radios to CD players, CDs and tools, police said, noting the vehicles had been parked on Shenango, Washington, Taylor, South Diamond and South Wood streets.
Clock tower plan halted
NEW CASTLE, Pa. -- Lawrence County commissioners have decided to hold off on their plan to build a clock tower on top of the Lawrence County Government Center because of the cost.
Commissioners had intended Tuesday to hire Fulkerson Construction Co. to build the tower but realized the $250,000 cost is $100,000 more than anticipated. Commissioners said they haven't abandoned the idea and will review the plan further.
Commissioner Ed Fosnaught said area residents have responded favorably to the idea but "they also want this to be reasonable."
Recycling grants
SHARON, Pa. -- Four Mercer County municipalities have been awarded state recycling grants by the Department of Environmental Protection.
The grants are based on the total tons of recycled material and the individual municipality's overall recycling rate for fiscal 1998.
Receiving grants were: Sharon: $5,746; Grove City: $4,512; Greenville: $2,711; and Wilmington Township: $$235.
Full-time officer
NEW SPRINGFIELD -- Springfield Township trustees have moved part-time police officer Michael Tablack to full-time status.
Tablack, who lives in New Middletown, will be paid $14.37 per hour. He replaces Charles Butler, who took a position with the Mahoning County Sheriff's Department.
Book sale
COLUMBIANA -- Friends of Columbiana Public Library will sponsor its book sale from 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Saturday at the library, 332. N. Middle St. A preview sale for members will be from 6 to 8 p.m. Friday.
Landfill proposal
NEW CASTLE, Pa. -- Slippery Rock Township Planning Commission won't act on an application for a proposed residual waste landfill near McConnell's Mill State Park until Lawrence County Planning Commission has more time to review the plan submitted March 22 by Sechan Limestone Industries of Portersville, Pa.
Commission members said at a public meeting Monday no action would come until May.
The plan calls for a residual waste landfill on about 50 acres near the state park and Slippery Rock Creek.
Benefit dinner
UNITY -- A benefit ham and meat loaf dinner for United Unity 4-H Club will be from 4 to 7 p.m. Saturday at Unity Grange on state Route 170.
Cost is $5.50 for adults, $5 for senior citizens, $3 for children 6 to 12 and free for children under 6.
Fire investigation
SHARON, Pa. -- A state police fire marshal has been called in to help investigate a fire that damaged a vacant house at 281 E. Silver St. shortly before 11 p.m. Tuesday.
A police officer on routine patrol spotted smoke and flames coming from the second floor of the 21/2-story frame structure and notified the fire department.
Firefighters used an ax to break down a door to get at the fire, which they said started in an interior stairway.
The flames were confined to the stairway and the outside wall and eaves, firefighters said.
Police said the house, owned by Randy Rogan of Franklin and Norma Rogan of Transfer, was scheduled for sheriff's sale for nonpayment of taxes.
No loss estimate was available.