KEYSTONE CLIPS Volunteers needed for cleanup

Shenango River Watchers is looking for volunteers to help with a cleanup along the river Saturday. It will be the first "floating" cleanup for the group, with the emphasis on pulling debris from the water and river bed. People with kayaks or canoes are asked to participate, and those without boats will be asked to work along the river banks. A picnic lunch will be provided. Participants will meet at 9:30 a.m. under the blue tent in the Sharon City Centre parking lot off South Water Avenue. All participants will get a free Shenango River Watchers T-shirt. Those interested are asked to register by 5 p.m. Thursday by calling (724) 342-5453.
Donations to Thiel
Charitable giving to Thiel College in Greenville, Pa., has reached a new high for the third consecutive year. Gifts received for the fiscal year ended June 30 totaled $4,570,493 and included contributions from individuals, corporations and foundations. The percentage of alumni giving money to the college reached the 31 percent mark, said David Grobe, vice president for college advancement. Gifts to Thiel totaled $3,822,214 last year, the previous record, and reached $3,761,703 the year before that, also a record at the time.
Agriculture and youth
The Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture is accepting applications for the state's Agriculture and Youth Grant Programs, said state Rep. Frank LaGrotta of Ellwood City, D-10th. The program's purpose is to fund projects that will increase young people's knowledge and awareness of agriculture and rural issues affecting Pennsylvania. Youth organizations for people 18 or younger are eligible to apply for grants of up to $2,500 and matching grants of up to $10,000. The application deadline is Sept. 20. For assistance, call G. Carl Muller, administrator for the Agriculture and Rural Youth Grant Program, Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture, Room 310, 2301 N. Cameron St., Harrisburg 17110-9408; call at (717) 783-9944 or (717) 783-3181; or by e-mail at gmuller@state.pa.us.
Communities receive grants
Four Lawrence County communities received grants from the Department of Community and Economic Development. Union Township received a $127,075 Community Development Block Grant to support housing rehabilitation for owner-occupied housing, assistance for a new fire engine and to update some public recreational facilities. New Castle received $648,738 in CDBGs for its downtown revitalization project and to help repay a loan. Ellwood City is receiving $170,166 to be used for smoke detectors for low- and moderate-income households and work on Lawrence Avenue and from 11th to 12th streets. Shenango Township received $166,288 for housing rehabilitation and elderly home safety.
XCONTRIBUTORS: Harold Gwin, Vindicator Sharon Bureau, and Laure Cioffi, New Castle Bureau.