Waterline breaks

Waterline breaks
SHARON, Pa. -- As much as 1 million gallons of water rushed through the downtown area when an 8-inch service line to a fire hydrant at Vine Avenue and Pitt Street ruptured.
The extent of damage isn't known yet, but the rushing water created a 25-square-foot, 4-foot-deep hole in the street. The rupture happened around 9:30 p.m. Friday, said Kenneth W. Baumann, vice president and general manager of the Shenango Valley Division of Consumers Pennsylvania Water Co.
The water pooled to a depth of about 2 feet in the area of Vine, Pitt, Silver Street and Shenango Avenue before storm drains carried it away, Baumann said.
He said the service line to the hydrant came off a 24-inch main line that carried between 130 and 140 pounds of pressure.
The rushing water also exposed a gas line, and repair work may be needed, Baumann said.
East Palestine council
EAST PALESTINE -- East Palestine City Council will meet at 6 tonight and Dec. 10 at city hall. This is a change from the regular meeting schedule because of the Christmas holiday.
Theft from outlets
GROVE CITY, Pa. -- Pennsylvania State Police said they recovered $16,000 worth of items stolen from six shops in the Grove City Prime Outlets in Springfield Township on Saturday but no arrests were made.
Police said they seized a car in the outlets parking lot around 5 p.m. Saturday. The vehicle contained items taken from the Eddie Bauer, Esprit, Nike, Hartstring, Liz Claiborne and Polo shops.
SUV stolen from house
NEW CASTLE, Pa. -- Someone took a Chevy S10 Blazer from a Union Township home.
Pennsylvania State Police said the sport utility vehicle was taken sometime from 7:30 p.m. Sunday to 3:57 a.m. today from the Oakland Avenue home.
Help needy veterans
NEW CASTLE, Pa. -- The Lawrence County Veterans Affairs office and Community Outreach Program are collecting food and money for Christmas baskets for needy veterans for Christmas.
Checks should be made to Community Outreach, 4133 Ellwood Road, New Castle, Pa. 16101. Money can be sent through Dec. 13. Anyone wanting to drop off food can do so through Dec. 13 at the Lawrence County Government Center front entrance and the Veterans Affairs office in the old courthouse section of the government center.
Howland sewer grant
WARREN -- Trumbull County and the city of Warren are receiving a federal grant for $564,000 to construct sewer extensions through the Golden Triangle area of Howland Township.
U.S. Rep. James A. Traficant Jr. of Poland, D-17th, said he continues to work to get funding for water and sewer infrastructure projects in Trumbull County.
He said he was able to get language included in this year's agriculture appropriations bill identifying a Kinsman Township sewer project as a priority for the U.S. Department of Agriculture.
Traficant said he was also successful in having $485,000 included in this year's energy and water appropriations bill for design and construction of the Belmont Avenue sanitary sewer system near Youngstown-Warren Regional Airport.
Man falls into shaft
SHAMOKIN, Pa. (AP) -- A 28-year-old man was relatively unhurt after a nearly 200-foot fall into a mine shaft early Saturday, authorities said. Rescue crews pulled Arnie Campbell from the shaft after more than two hours of work. Campbell suffered cuts, bruises and scrapes.
Campbell and an unidentified friend were out driving a four-wheel-drive pickup truck on coal lands when they stopped to inspect an old fan house. As Campbell walked to the rear of the building, he fell down the mine shaft.
Breath-holder dies
EASTON, Pa. (AP) -- A man who practiced holding his breath underwater because he wanted to become a Navy SEAL collapsed and died Sunday.
Joseph H. Santarlasci III, 26, of Easton, collapsed while swimming at Lafayette College's Kirby Sports Center.
"I guess he would do these exercises where he would hold his breath for as long as he could," Easton Police Sgt. John Kichline said.