Two vie for seat
Two vie for seat
SHARPSVILLE, Pa. -- Only two people appeared before the Sharpsville Democratic Committee on Wednesday to say they want to fill a vacant borough council seat, and the committee recommended both for the appointment.
Council will decide and isn't bound by the committee recommendations.
Mayor Kenneth Robertson said today that the committee recommended outgoing Councilman Guy Moderelli, an 18-year council veteran who lost a re-election bid this year, and Robert Donatelli, a former Sharpsville Area school director who resigned that post earlier this year.
The seat was vacated when Councilman David Lapikas resigned this month because he has moved out of the borough. There are two years remaining in his term.
Theft of safe
SHARON, Pa. -- Police arrested a second man in the Dec. 12 theft of a safe from Hot Rod Cafe. Ernest J. Torreance, 21, of Spruce Avenue, was served with an arrest warrant during an appearance before District Justice James McMahon Thursday on another case. He was charged with burglary and criminal trespass in the theft of the safe and was returned to Mercer County Jail where he is being held on a parole detainer in connection with unrelated charges. Police said Torreance and Joseph F. Porterfield, 28, of Logan Avenue, broke into the restaurant and stole the safe. Porterfield was arrested and freed on his own recognizance Wednesday.
Ex-clerk arrested
SHARON, Pa. -- A former clerk at the Sheetz Inc. store on East State Street was arrested at 9:25 a.m. Thursday on a warrant charging her with theft and receiving stolen property. Police said Tiffany A. Kienast, 26, of 10th Street, Greenville, is accused of ringing up 20 phony cigarette carton refunds between Aug. 27 and Sept. 11 and pocketing the $1,200 she took from the cash register. She was arraigned before District Justice James McMahon and freed on her own recognizance.
Director resigns
WELLSVILLE -- The director of a Columbiana County water district is resigning to take a job in the private sector. Steve Polen, 39, gave the Buckeye Water District Board his resignation letter at the board's Thursday meeting. Polen said today he is resigning effective Jan. 4 to take a job with a consulting engineer firm in Pittsburgh. Polen has been with the district since November 1996. The district provides water to about 10,000 people, mostly in the southern part of the county.
Critical condition
MERCER, Pa.-- Theresa R. Szymanski, 63, of Pittsburgh, remained in critical condition today in Allegheny General Hospital with injuries received in a two-vehicle crash at the intersection of state routes 173 and 965 in Worth Township around 3 p.m. Wednesday. Pennsylvania State Police said Szymanski was driving east on Route 965 and stopped at the intersection with Route 173, but then pulled into the path of a southbound pickup truck driven by Claire E. Bennefield, 51, of Sandy Lake. Bennefield and a passenger, David L. Bennefield, also of Sandy Lake, suffered minor injuries, police said.
Possession charge
SHARON, Pa.-- Terrance A. McGill II, 20, of Albright-McKay Road, Brookfield, was freed on his own recognizance after his arrest on charges of possession of marijuana and possession of marijuana with intent to deliver. Police answered an "unwanted person" call at a home in the 500 block of Logan Avenue around 10:20 p.m. Wednesday and found McGill there. They also found two plastic bags containing nearly two ounces of suspected marijuana in his possession, police said.
Headlights on
OIL CITY, Pa. -- The Pennsylvania Department of Transportation is asking motorists to drive with their vehicle headlights on all day today, which has been designated as "Lights On for Life Day." The goal is to show concern for safe and sober driving during the holiday season. This weekend is National Holiday Lifesavers Weekend, a campaign encouraging increased enforcement of impaired driving laws.