KEYSTONE CLIPS Grant will trim trees, update airport setup

The New Castle Municipal Airport is receiving a grant to update its 25-year-old electrical system and trim trees nearby, said state Rep. Chris Sainato of New Castle, D-9th.
The Pennsylvania Department of Transportation's Block Grant and Aviation Development program will give the airport $382,500 in federal funds and $21,250 in state money.
The block grant share for construction of a new electrical vault is $90,000 from federal sources and $5,000 in state funds.
Airports receiving block grants must be public-use airports. A public-use airport is one that is publicly or privately owned and is open to the public.
Tax, rent rebate
Senior citizens have until Dec. 31 to apply for a 2001 property tax or rent rebate from the state, said state Rep. Guy Travaglio of Butler, D-11th.
The Department of Revenue extended the deadline for seniors and others to file claims under the lottery-funded Property Tax Rent Rebate Program from June 30 to Dec. 31.
Eligible participants can receive a rebate of up to $500 based on their property taxes or rent paid during 2001. To qualify, the person must be 65 or older, a widow or widower 50 or older, or 18 or older if permanently disabled. Total household income must be $15,000 or less.
To obtain an application, contact Travaglio's district office in Butler.
XCONTRIBUTOR: Laure Cioffi, Vindicator New Castle Bureau.