2 fires being probed

2 fires being probed
NEW CASTLE, Pa. -- Authorities said they are investigating two weekend fires -- one that damaged a Cleveland Avenue residence Sunday morning and another that damaged Robison's Bait & amp; Tackle at 702 Croton Ave. on Sunday night.
No injuries were reported. Officials said both fires were contained quickly.
They said the Cleveland Avenue house wasn't occupied and that the owners, who were not identified, were selling the residence. One room was destroyed, authorities said. They said one room at the bait and tackle shop was also destroyed.
4 injured in accident
SALEM -- Four people were treated at area hospitals after a two-car accident Friday night in Butler Township. No conditions were available from Salem Community Hospital or University Hospitals, Cleveland, this morning.
The Lisbon post of the Ohio State Highway Patrol said Sherry L. Hupp, 38, of Negley, was driving south on state Route 9 and tried to turn left onto Whinnery Road in front of a car driven by Randy Lozier, 41 of Augusta, Ohio, and the cars struck head on.
Lozier, Hupp and her sons Nick, 12, and Jordan, 2, were taken to Salem Community Hospital, and Lozier was later transferred to University Hospitals, the patrol said.
Hupp was cited for failure to yield at a left turn, the patrol said. Hupp and Nick were wearing seat belts, and Jordan was in a child restraint seat, the patrol said. Lozier was not wearing a seat belt, the patrol said.
E-ZPass coming west
PITTSBURGH (AP) -- The state's electronic E-ZPass system intended to do away with stop-and-start drudgery of toll booths should be operational in western Pennsylvania sometime in November, according to Pennsylvania Turnpike officials.
The system has been in place everywhere east of Blue Mountain Exit 15 since early December.
The system so far has proved extremely popular among Pennsylvania motorists. Turnpike officials hope to have more than 100,000 users enlisted by the end of this week.
The E-ZPass system uses transponders affixed to the back of the rearview mirror in automobiles. Antennas in toll lanes, through radio signals, determine where vehicles enter and leave the toll road, deducting the required amount from a prepaid account.
Difficult investigation
CANONSBURG, Pa. (AP) -- Investigators said they may never know what caused the fire that killed 28 horses at The Meadows harness racetrack barn because it was so intense and went undetected for so long. The facility had passed a fire inspection only three days before the blaze.
Mario LaBrasca, whose family owned four horses that died in the blaze, was fined $50 in June for storing flammable fluids in the barn.
LaBrasca said there were no flammable liquids in the barn the night of the fire.
Preserving the arena
PITTSBURGH (AP) -- An architectural activist is challenging plans to demolish the Penguins' Mellon Arena.
Gary English has begun a campaign to give the arena historic status. He said the arena meets the qualifications deemed necessary for historic standing. The structure was an integral part of the city's renaissance, English said. He adds the retractable dome, the only structure of its kind in North America, represents Pittsburgh's technological contribution to the world.
"If Mr. [Mario] Lemieux gets his new arena, he'll not only take the team, but all other arena events to this new hockey venue," he said.
English said he has already completed a Pennsylvania Historical & amp; Museum Commission application to preserve the arena.
High school vandalism
BEAVER, Pa. -- Pennsylvania State Police are investigating vandalism at South Side High School in Greene Township last week.
The state police said someone spray-painted graffiti on the school maintenance building and baseball dugout. They asked that anyone with information call (724) 773-7400.