Hermitage schools

Hermitage schools
HERMITAGE, Pa. -- Hermitage School Board will have a special meeting at 5:30 p.m. today to announce a new director of curriculum and instruction and special support services.
Duane Piccirilli, board president, declined to identify the person picked for the job this morning but said the selection was made from among the district's current staff.
The new director succeeds Karen A. Ionta, who has been named superintendent of the district effective July 1.
Ionta was hired by the district in June 1998 as director of curriculum and instruction and special support services and had the additional title of assistant superintendent added to her duties in September 2000.
The board voted in March to make her superintendent with the expiration of the contract of superintendent Dr. Louis Mastrian. The board voted in December not to renew his contract.
DUI, tampering charges
SHARON, Pa. -- Police said a man arrested on a charge of driving under the influence got himself into more trouble when he tried to destroy a page from the police docket at the police station. Christopher L. Matvey, 23, of South Darby Road, Hermitage, was picked up on the DUI charge after running a red light at Dock Street and Connelly Boulevard around 11 p.m. Saturday. While he was going through the booking procedure at the police station, he spotted his name listed on the police docket that lists all arrests and tore that page from the book. He then tried to flush it down a toilet, police said. Two charges of tampering with and trying to destroy public records were filed against him, along with the DUI and stop-light violation. He was arraigned Sunday and freed on a $5,000 unsecured bond.
House burglaries
NEW CASTLE, Pa. -- Hunting rifles and other items were taken in two unrelated house burglaries sometime during the day Friday. Pennsylvania State Police said seven hunting rifles valued at $1,725 were taken from a home on state Route 551 in Pulaski Township sometime from 10 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. A jewelry box was also taken, but police did not know what was in the box. New Castle Police said 10 firearms, including rifles, shotguns and pistols, a television, videocassette recorder and computer were taken from a South Scott Street home sometime from 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. Friday. Jewelry valued at $2,000, $500 worth of change and five bottles of prescription medication were also taken from the New Castle home, police said.
House fire
NEW CASTLE, Pa. -- Bad electrical wiring caused a fire in a house at 426 Electric St., Fire Chief James Donston said this morning. There was smoke and water damage on all three floors from the blaze, which started in the front room on the first floor at 8:25 p.m. Friday. Resident Sallie Maritch got out of the house unharmed, Donston said. The home is owned by Joseph and John Maritch. Damage is estimated at $20,000.
Attacks reported
NEW CASTLE, Pa. -- Police are checking to see if there are connections between a rape in Union Township and attempted rape in New Castle on Friday night. Both women described their attacker as a black man, about 5 feet 10 inches tall and wearing dark jeans. An 18-year-old woman told police she was in a parking lot at the rear of a building in the 1300 block of W. Washington Street, Union Township, when she was raped at about 9:30 p.m. Another woman reported being assaulted at about 11:45 p.m. The 26-year-old told police she was walking to work when a man grabbed her and slammed her against the wall of the New Castle Human Service Center on West North Street. She fought back and the man ran off. Police suspect it was an attempted rape. Anyone with information should call Pennsylvania State Police at (724) 598-2211.
Trash or Treasure sale
LIBERTY -- The township's Trash or Treasure sale will be Saturday at Center Park adjacent to the township administration building. The sale will be from 10 a.m. to at least 6 p.m. Those with garage sale-type items to sell may take the items and a table to the park. A spot for the table costs $10; the money will benefit the township baseball program.