Bonds will finance addition at library

Bonds will financeaddition at library
COLUMBIANA -- Financing is in place for constructing and equipping a $1 million addition to the Columbiana Public Library. The city school board, which is affiliated with the library, agreed Wednesday to borrow the $1 million by issuing bonds. The school board's action follows school district voters' approval in the May primary of the 10-year 1.03-mill bond issue. Addition construction could begin in the spring.
Remodeling monitoring
NEW CASTLE, Pa. -- The Lawrence County Housing Authority will pay Edward Van Dusen $5,249 to monitor remodeling and construction work at its low-income housing units and senior citizen high-rise apartment buildings. His salary will come from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development grant that is funding the remodeling and construction work, said Robert Evanick, housing authority director. The work is expected to last about six months. In other business, HUD granted the county's request to designate three high-rise apartments, Skyview Terrace, Crescent Place and Lawrence Manor, solely for senior citizens. Low-income people of all ages have been living in those buildings, but board members said there have been problems mixing the elderly and younger tenants. Evanick said the younger tenants will remain in the buildings, but the new HUD designation will permit only people 62 or older to move into vacant apartments.
Man indicted
PITTSBURGH -- An Enon Valley man has been indicted by a federal grand jury on charges of conversion of government money. According to the 34-count indictment, Lawrence J. Hammer, 50, of RD 2, Enon Valley, who held a joint checking account with his mother, Thelma J. Hammer, withdrew Civil Service Retirement benefits from his mother's retirement account on 34 occasions after her death, and used the money for himself. Hammer faces from one year to 10 years in prison and from $100,000 to $250,000 in fines. The United States Secret Service was involved in the investigation.
Gambling arrest
FARRELL, Pa. -- Police said it was the crowd that drew their attention to a dice game in the 200 block of Spearman Avenue. Officers said they found Antuane D. Cornelius, 21, of North Buhl Farm Drive, Hermitage, operating the dice game. He tried to run but was caught after a brief foot chase, police said. He was arraigned Wednesday before District Justice Henry Russo on charges of disorderly conduct in the gambling and possession of marijuana. Cornelius was freed on his own recognizance pending a preliminary hearing at a later date.
Crash injures woman
DARLINGTON, Pa. -- A Bessemer woman was injured in a one-car crash on Pa. Route 551. Pennsylvania State Police said Katie Rothen, 21, lost control of her car while driving on a bend in the road at 6:20 p.m. Tuesday. Her 1999 Toyota Camry went across both traffic lanes and off the road into a wooded area, where it crashed into several trees, police said. Rothen was thrown from the car and appeared to have broken ribs, police said. She was in good condition today at the Medical Center in Beaver.
Motorcycle-crash injury
BESSEMER, Pa. -- An Enon Valley man was in critical condition at UPMC in Pittsburgh after his motorcycle crashed during a police chase. Pennsylvania State Police said Gerald Brandt, 22, would not stop for Bessemer police at 10:15 p.m. Wednesday. Bessemer and state police chased Brandt through Bessemer and North Beaver Township before Brandt failed to negotiate a curve on Hoffmaster Road in North Beaver Township. His cycle crashed into an embankment and was thrown from his bike, police said. He had cuts and bruises to his face and head and was flown to UPMC.
House burglarized
SHARON, Pa. -- Police said someone entered a 93-year-old man's house in the 1100 block of March Street while he was working in his back yard Wednesday afternoon and stole money. Police said a screen door was forced open.