KEYSTONE CLIPS Hermitage seeks noise ordinance

The city of Sharon enacted an ordinance a year or so ago banning the practice of "jake-braking" by big trucks in certain areas of town, and the city of Hermitage is looking at doing the same.
Hermitage city commissioners introduced an ordinance this week banning the practice of jake-braking to slow trucks along Pa. Route 18 from the city line on the north to a point one-half mile south of Longview Road. That covers Route 18 for nearly its entire distance through Hermitage.
Jake-braking "causes a level of noise from the truck that is loud, offensive and unacceptable to residents and other persons in the area of the truck slowing down," the Hermitage ordinance reads.
Jake-braking is the use of compression release engine brakes to slow a truck without using the normal brake system.
A public hearing on the ordinance is slated for 7:30 p.m. Dec. 18 in city hall.
New locations
Pennsylvania Rep. Rod W. Wilt of Greenville, R-17th, has changed his legislative Web site and e-mail address.
He can now be found online at www.rodwilt.com and his new e-mail address is rwilt@pahousegop.com.
"I like having my e-mail made public because it gives people an easy, efficient way to contact me, and the Web site is a great way for them to stay current on news from Harrisburg," Wilt said.
Assistance program
People needing help with heating bills can apply for assistance through the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program, said state Rep. Frank LaGrotta of Ellwood City, D-10th.
LIHEAP helps low-income people and families pay their heating bills through cash grants, and assists with emergencies such as furnace breakdowns or unexpected fuel shortages.
Applications are available in LaGrotta's office, 718 Lawrence Ave., Ellwood City. The deadline to apply is March 27, 2003. Grants depend on family size, regional cost of living and heating fuel types. For details, call LaGrotta at (724) 752-1133.
XCONTRIBUTORS: Harold Gwin of the Sharon Bureau and Laure Cioffi of the New Castle Bureau.