Missing man sought

Missing man sought
NEW CASTLE, Pa. -- Authorities are searching for a 25-year-old man who left his home with a garbage bag full of clothing and Dale Earnhardt memorabilia.
Pennsylvania State Police said Jamy Shawn Zahniser of Elmwood Street, Union Township, left his home of his own will sometime from 6 to 8 a.m. Tuesday. They believe he could be in danger because he suffers from a mental disorder.
His disappearance has been reported to the National Crime Information Center.
Zahniser has short brown hair, a brown mustache and blue eyes. He was last seen wearing a Dale Earnhardt T-shirt, black jeans and brown cowboy boots. Anyone having contact with him is asked to call state police in New Castle at (724) 598-2211.
Work to close road
SHEAKLEYVILLE, Pa.-- County Line Road in Deer Creek Township in northern Mercer County will be closed to through traffic for the day Tuesday for bridge maintenance.
The Pennsylvania Department of Transportation said local traffic flow will be maintained but people trying to drive through the area are advised to use state Route 173, Sheakleyville-Milledgeville Road and Georgetown Road as a detour route around the work site.
Facing drug charges
SHARON, Pa. -- Police and state probation and parole agents arrested a Ravine Place man on drug possession charges Tuesday. Police said agents checking the home of Lamica Abram, 27, around 1:30 p.m. found 15 rocks of suspected crack cocaine.
Abram was charged with possession of a controlled substance and possession of a controlled substance with intent to deliver and arraigned before District Justice Henry Russo.
A parole detainer was filed against him for violation of parole on a previous charge and he was ordered to be held in Mercer County Jail without bond.
Cyclist to speak at SRU
SLIPPERY ROCK, Pa. -- One of two bicyclists pedaling across the United States to encourage the protection of Alaska's Arctic National Wildlife Refuge, a 1.5-million-acre expanse that President George W. Bush intends to drill for oil, will speak Thursday at Slippery Rock University.
Emily Ferry, part of a duo that includes her sister Betsy, will speak at 4 p.m. in the Strain Behavioral Science Building.
She started her trek from Seattle to Washington, D.C., on June 5 and will use slides to discuss her crusade for a pristine Alaska.
Usage of credit card
HERMITAGE, Pa. -- Police arrested a Greenville man they said picked up and used a dropped credit card.
Rodney A. Hayes, 19, of Canal Street was picked up Tuesday morning at Mercer County Jail, where he was being held on unrelated charges, and taken before District Justice Henry Russo for arraignment on charges of access device fraud and theft of lost property.
Police said a customer in a Hermitage department store dropped a credit card on the floor May 31 and didn't notice it. Hayes picked it up at some point and used it to buy $15 worth of merchandise, police said. Russo released him on his own recognizance but he was returned to jail on the earlier charges.
Bond issue on ballot
AUSTINTOWN -- A 3.9-mill, 26-year school bond issue will appear on the ballot here this November.
If the bond issue passes, it will allow the school board to borrow $32 million to pay for the construction of a new junior high school and the renovation of Frank Ohl Middle School. The school board voted Monday night to place the issue on the ballot.
The board has been discussing the bond issue for several months, and a committee of local residents has been organized to run a campaign for the issue. The next campaign committee meeting will be at 7 p.m. Aug. 30 at Fitch High School. Superintendent Richard Denamen said the committee is open to new members.