Governor to participate in Korean War Service

Governor to participate in Korean War Service
GREENVILLE, Pa. -- Gov. Tom Ridge will participate in the Korean War Remembrance Service during the Stefan Banic Skydiving Festival at 6 p.m. Friday at the Greenville Municipal Airport.
The service is to commemorate the cease-fire called July 27, 1953.
Also, at 4:30 p.m. Friday, the mayor of Smolenice, Greenville's sister city in Slovakia, will present the key to that city to Greenville Mayor Clifford Harriger. The presentation will be in Greenville's Railroad Park and Museum.
The Stefan Banic Skydiving Festival and the second annual Pennsylvania State Parachuting Championships will run Friday through Sunday at the Greenville Municipal Airport on State Route 58 in Greene Township, five miles north of Greenville.
Admission and parking are free. Activity costs vary. For more information, call the Greenville Area Chamber of Commerce at (724) 588-7150.
Farrell man convicted of violating firearm law
PITTSBURGH -- A Farrell man convicted of violating federal firearms laws has been sentenced in federal court to four years and three months in prison, followed by three years of supervised release.
Before sentencing Norman E. Crawford, 36, of 1102 Federal St., Judge Maurice B. Cohill noted Crawford's long criminal history, including a recent arrest on charges that he sold crack cocaine while on bond on the pending federal firearms charge.
As a a result, Judge Cohill revoked Crawford's bond.
Authorities said Southwest Regional Police in Mercer County stopped a vehicle Crawford was driving Aug. 10, 1999.
Police said Crawford admitted there was cocaine and a gun in the vehicle before they found a .357-caliber pistol and about 2.8 grams of crack.
Memorial service
PORTERSVILLE, Pa. -- A memorial service is planned to honor two Butler County firefighters who died earlier this year trying to save an overturned kayaker. The ceremony will be at 11 a.m. Saturday at the Harris Bridge, Mountville Road in McConnell's Mill State Park near where the two men died. A plaque dedicated to Scott Wilson and Anthony Murdick will be placed near the bridge. Area officials and firefighters will take part in the ceremony.
RR crossings request
COLUMBUS -- Ohio Rail Development Commission has asked the Public Utilities Commission of Ohio to direct the Central Columbiana and Pennsylvania Railroad to have lights and gates functioning at nine grade crossings within nine months. The crossings are at Indianola Avenue, Midlothian Boulevard, Indianola Road, Meadowbrook Avenue, and Boardman-Poland and Western Reserve roads, South Avenue and Market Street in Mahoning County and at East Park Street and Depot Street in Columbiana. The CCPR's 36-mile track runs from Youngstown to Darlington, Pa., following Southern Boulevard in Youngstown and Boardman. Trains resumed operation in May after a 5 1/2-year absence.
Woman arraigned
HERMITAGE, Pa. -- A Farrell woman authorities said stole a credit card from a 74-year-old Jamestown woman and used it to buy more than $800 in shoes and jewelry at the Shenango Valley Mall was to be arraigned today before District Justice Henry Russo.
Police said that the elderly victim gave Marlena Monnett Benson, 45, of Hamilton Avenue, a ride July 17 from Farrell to the mall. Police said Benson took the woman's wallet, which contained the credit card.
Southwest Mercer County Regional police arrested her around 7 p.m. Wednesday on a warrant and are holding her pending arraignment. She was charged with access device fraud and identity theft.