Turnpike construction

Turnpike construction
NEW CASTLE, Pa. -- Effective Monday and continuing for about three weeks, both inside lanes of the Pennsylvania Turnpike at and approaching milepost 7.2 will be closed for crews to construct piers for an overhead bridge. The construction site is in New Beaver Borough, where Pa. Route 168 crosses over Interstate 76. Traffic will slow in the area of the lane closures and motorists should anticipate delays. Effective Thursday, Pa. Route 168 will be closed at the site and remain closed until June 2002.
Minority leadership
NEW CASTLE, Pa. -- Lawrence County United Way is looking for people interested in joining Project Blueprint, a leadership program for racial minority groups. The program is targeted for male minorities interested in inner-city volunteerism. Graduates of last year's class, for example, serve as a link to the Moraine Trails Council Boy Scouts Scoutreach program. Call (724) 658-8528 for more information. The Rev. Ray Hilton, pastor of First Presbyterian Church, will serve as the facilitator.
City hall to be closed
NEW CASTLE, Pa. -- City hall will be closed Monday in observance of Columbus Day, but there will be regular garbage and recycling collection that day.
SRU open house
SLIPPERY ROCK, Pa. -- Slippery Rock University will sponsor an open house at its new physical therapy building Saturday. The program will provide prospective students, family and alumni with a look at the facility and program. Workshops are planned for 11:45 a.m. and 2 p.m., including one that will provide pointers on preparing a strong application for admission to the Graduate School of Physical Therapy. The $5.5 million, three-story building is in the lower quad of campus.
Pumpkin festival
YOUNGSTOWN -- Four Seasons Flea & amp; Farm Market, 3000 McCartney Road, is sponsoring a pumpkin festival and Halloween costume contest, 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Wednesday for children ages 6-12. They will receive free pumpkins and there also will be a prize drawing, treats, doughnuts and cider. The costume contest will be from 1 to 3 p.m. Oct. 14 for children in that same age group.
Medical center damage
MEADVILLE, Pa. (AP) -- Meadville Medical Center will most likely remain closed until next year after a series of mishaps since August. The hospital was supposed to be closed for two to three weeks this summer after hospital workers discovered one of two surgical departments infested with plaster beetles. Hospital officials say the roof had been improperly installed, allowing moisture to seep into the building and attracting the beetles. Exterminators got rid of the insects last month, and contractors were repairing sections of the roof when the Meadville area was hit by heavy rains on Sept. 7. Rainwater leaked through an unfinished roof and damaged several operating rooms, hospital officials said. "We have to replace the entire roof and repair walls and ceilings," said Judy Watkins, Meadville Medical Center's director of community relations. The hospital's Grove Street surgery center has extended its hours since August to handle overflow from the closed surgical center.