Funds for sewer work

Funds for sewer work
WARREN -- Trumbull County commissioners received a $1.24 million grant and a $1.86 million loan through the U.S. Department of Agriculture's Water and Waste Disposal program.
The money will be used to build a gravity sewer-collection system, pump station and force main within the Hilltop area of Weathersfield Township. Connections will be made to the city of Niles' waste treatment plant. The project is needed because of failing on-site septic systems and to eliminate the discharge of waste directly into storm sewers that drain into the Mahoning River, according to the office of U.S. Rep. James A. Traficant Jr., which announced the grant.
Blaze damages home
WARREN -- Firefighters are investigating a blaze that damaged a two-story wood frame home at 425 Franklin St. S.E. Reports stated that the fire started about 10:30 p.m. Sunday. No one was injured, firefighters said. The names of the people who lived there were not available this morning, officials said.
Work-study banquet
WARREN -- The Trumbull County Educational Service Center will hold its 32nd annual work-study banquet at 6 p.m. Thursday at DiVieste's Banquet Room, 754 N. River Road. The banquet recognizes students from 19 county schools who participate in the center's work-study program. More than 500 students and adults are expected to attend the event.
The work-study program helps students in ninth through 12th grades to develop skills and make a successful transition from school to work. Students earn credits toward graduation by working at jobs that help them become self-supporting.
Tunnels face futureas hike, bike routes
BEDFORD, Pa. (AP) -- An abandoned tunnel on the Pennsylvania Turnpike could soon be the home of hikers and bikers.
The turnpike commission has agreed to sell the longest and shortest tunnels ever built on the 60-year-old toll road to the Southern Alleghenies Conservancy, which preserves land for communities and property owners. The turnpike has agreed to sell the tunnels in Bedford County, about 80 miles southeast of Pittsburgh, for $1.
The conservancy wants to turn the tunnels and abandoned highway into hike and bike trails with the help of groups such as Bicycle Pennsylvania, said Len Lichvar, executive director of the conservancy.
The turnpike commission would help clean up the tunnels and patch and re-stripe the roadways, said Carl DeFebo, a turnpike spokesman. DeFebo said it would be the first time the commission has turned over tunnels and highway to a nonprofit organization for any purpose.
Bridge closed for repair
MERCER, Pa. -- Porter Road Bridge on state Route 4006 (Porter Road) has been closed temporarily for emergency repairs. Eastbound traffic is being routed south on state Route 4005 (West Jamestown Road/North High Street), east on state Route 18/358 (Main Street) and north on state Route 58 (North High Street/West Jamestown Road).
Westbound traffic is being rerouted south on state Route 58 (East Jamestown Road), west on state Route 18/358 (Main Street), and north on state Route 4005 (North High Street/West Jamestown Road).
Boy injured by car
NEW CASTLE, Pa. -- A 6-year-old boy is in good condition in Pittsburgh Children's Hospital after running into the side mirror of a moving car. Witnesses told police that Corey Niles of Winslow Avenue ran into the street, following a woman who was getting into a car on the opposite side of Winslow Avenue at 4 p.m. Sunday.He ran out from behind a parked minivan, and driver Heather Ables, 20, of Beckford Street was not able to see him coming, police said. No charges will be filed because there were no traffic violations, police said.