Board treasurer resigns

Board treasurer resigns
SALEM -- Salem Board of Education is seeking an interim treasurer. The board accepted the resignation of Treasurer Ted Cougras at Tuesday's board meeting, effective immediately.
In a letter to the board, Cougras said he enjoyed his time as Salem treasurer. He gave no reason for his resignation. Superintendent David Brobeck said the board will hire an interim treasurer to allow time for a thorough search for a new treasurer.
Businesses assessed
SALEM -- Wal-Mart and other retail ventures on the city's east side will pay an assessment of $2,369 per acre to help pay for the city's new sewage pump station on East State Street.
Salem Utilities Director Don Weingart said the sewage pump station is needed on the east side largely because of the businesses there, the Wal-Mart under construction and the potential for other commercial ventures in the area that could tap into the city's sewer system.
Although there are some residential properties in the area, most of the property is commercial, so the commercial ventures will pay for the bulk of the $344,000 project, he said. Wal-Mart officials have said they plan to open the store in March and are interviewing potential employees this week.
Seeking re-election
NEW CASTLE, Pa. -- City Councilwoman Patricia May announced she will seek a second term in office. May was first elected to office in 1998.
She said she would like to see the completion of the restoration project of Kennedy Square, downtown revitalization and improvements to the zoning and city code enforcement ordinances. She noted that some changes have already occurred in her first term, but more work needs to be done. May is a Democrat.
Purse-snatching
SHARON, Pa. -- Police are looking for a man who snatched a purse from a Sharon Regional Health System employee at the corner of East State Street and Ormond Avenue. Police said the victim was leaving work around 7:45 a.m. Tuesday when the man approached her, grabbed her purse and ran west.
The suspect is described as a black man in his 30s, about 5 feet 4 inches tall and weighing about 200 pounds. He had a mustache and goatee and wore dark clothing and a dark stocking cap.
Man charged in threat
VOLANT, Pa. -- Charles David O'Brien Jr., 68, of Pa. Route 956 faces attempted homicide charges. Pennsylvania State Police said O'Brien went to J.B. Mill Co. on Pa. Route 168 with a loaded Beretta .22-caliber pistol and threatened to kill a 40-year-old man. He was arraigned before District Justice James Reed and placed in jail after failing to post $15,000 bond. Police did not indicate a motive.
Boy faces adult charges
NEW CASTLE, Pa. -- A 15-year-old Pittsburgh boy is facing adult criminal charges in Lawrence County.
Pennsylvania State Police said Joseph Edward Larkin of Kirafly Avenue is charged with aggravated assault, simple assault and receiving stolen property.
Police said he hit a physical education teacher in the face with a plastic hockey stick Monday at the Youth Development Center in Shenango Township, where he is an inmate. The boy has been asked to sit down for a discipline problem before the teacher was assaulted, police said.
Matthew Mangino, county district attorney, advised police to file adult criminal charges because an assault against an employee at a juvenile facility is just as serious as if it were a police officer or firefighter, police said. Larkin was arraigned before District Justice David Rishel and place in Lawrence County Jail after failing to post $50,000 bond.
Council renews pact
COLUMBIANA -- City council renewed the contract of East Palestine attorney Dan Blasdell as law director. City Manager Keith Chamberlin said Blasdell will continue to be paid $75 per hour for his services.