KEYSTONE CLIPS Stoneboro, Hermitage firefighters ask for money

Spring is when many volunteer fire departments launch fund-raising drives, asking residents and businesses in their coverage areas for help in projects ranging from building construction to equipment purchases.
Two Mercer County departments are in drives now. The Stoneboro Volunteer Fire Department wants to buy a thermal imaging camera, which can be used to spot people through heavy smoke and other hazards. The department is taking contributions mailed to its address at 32 Linden St., Stoneboro, Pa. 16153
Hermitage Fire Department is seeking contributions to help with its truck fund. The drive began last year and is seeking to replace a pumping engine at a cost of about $100,000. Contributions can be sent to the department at 2511 Highland Road, Hermitage, Pa. 16148.
Going dry: Rainfall figures for the Shenango Valley area continue to decline. The Shenango Valley Division of Consumers Pennsylvania Water Co. collects rainfall data and reports that the Valley got only 1.34 inches of precipitation in January as compared to the average of 2.26 inches for that month. Things weren't much better in February, when 1.6 inches of precipitation fell as compared to the average of 1.98 inches. Rainfall for all of last year totaled 38.18 inches as compared to the normal 39.35 inches.
Quiet time: It wasn't easy, but there wasn't a peep from the usually vocal New Castle Councilman Mark Elisco this week.
"I've never sat and was quiet for so long in my life," Elisco said after a nearly five-hour hearing Tuesday before council on a conditional-use permit request by the New Castle School District.
Elisco, an assistant principal in the district, and Councilman Rick DeBlasio, whose wife is a principal at one of the district elementary schools, were not permitted to participate because of their affiliation with the district. The city is now waiting for a Pennsylvania Ethics Commission ruling to determine if they can vote on the issue.
Insuring kids: Family income limits for eligibility for the Children's Health Insurance Program have increased. A family of four with an annual income of less than $35,300, is eligible for free coverage for children until they turn 19.
A family of four with an annual income of less than $41,478 is eligible for subsidized insurance coverage. Under subsidized coverage, families pay between $20 and $40 per child per month, depending on where in Pennsylvania the family lives.
Qualified applicants must have no other health insurance or medical assistance benefits to receive this coverage.
Recent changes in the program allow parents to exclude child-care and work-related expenses when determining income eligibility.
XCONTRIBUTORS: Harold Gwin, Vindicator Sharon Bureau, and Laure Cioffi, New Castle Bureau