Police seek shooter

Police seek shooter
NEW CASTLE, Pa. -- Police are searching for the person who shot and killed an East Liverpool man early today. Police said Joseph Battle, 21, suffered multiple gunshot wounds and was declared dead at Jameson Hospital. Police were called to the West Lincoln Terrace Public Housing Complex at 12:23 a.m. for a shooting and learned that Battle had been taken to the hospital by private vehicle. Police were not releasing any other details this morning.
Center director chosen
SALEM -- Barbara Loudon of Salem has been chosen membership services director for the Salem Community Center under construction.
The private nonprofit facility, off North Ellsworth Avenue, is expected to open this fall.
Loudon begins her duties Aug. 1.
Her previous experience includes serving as Salem YWCA executive director and Salem Rotary Club president.
Funds OK'd for testing
LISBON -- Village council has approved spending up to $2,500 for testing in conjunction with Phase II of the downtown revitalization project.
According to village administrator Kevin Brooks, the testing will include soil samples and compaction testing and be done by Solar Testing Laboratories of Brooklyn Heights. Phase II includes installation of sidewalks, burial of utility lines and resurfacing of streets.
Paving pacts awarded
NEW SPRINGFIELD -- The contract for the Phil Rose cul-de-sac paving project has been awarded to low bidder Craig Susany Inc., North Lima, at $53,974.
Springfield Township trustees opened the bids two weeks ago ranging from $59,581 to $111,130.
Trustees also awarded a contract Wednesday for paving at Fire Stations 1 and 3 and the New Middletown recycling site to low bidder Cleveland Asphalt Inc. at $32,232.
Trustees also indicated they will put renewals on the November ballot for two 2-mill levies, one for the general fund and one for the fire fund.
Sons of Italy Hall fire
ELLWOOD CITY, Pa. -- A blaze at the Sons of Italy Hall, Lodge 808, on Lawrence Avenue caused heavy smoke damage to the building. Firefighters said the cause of the fire is still undetermined, but it is believed to be accidental. It broke out at 7:20 a.m. in the banquet hall, and heavy smoke was caused by the burning of vinyl-covered chairs, firefighters said. There was very little structural damage, they added. A car showroom in the back of the building, owned by McElwain Motors, also suffered some water and smoke damage, firefighters said.
Woman reports rape
SHARON, Pa. -- A 27-year-old city woman told police she was raped in her apartment in the 300 block of George Street. Police said the attack occurred around 2 a.m. Tuesday but wasn't reported until 24 hours later. The assailant was described as a tall, thin black man wearing dark clothing. Police said there was no sign of forced entry.
Closed for road work
WELLSVILLE -- Sixteen School Road in Yellow Creek Township will be closed for three months beginning Aug. 1 as part of the state Route 7 interchange work near Clark Avenue that began in March.
Ohio Department of Transportation District 11 officials said the portion of Sixteen School Road near Wellsville will be realigned as construction progresses on new northbound and southbound off-ramps. The off-ramps at Clark Avenue will be widened.
The A.P. O'Horo Company of Liberty has the $3.4 million contract for the interchange work to be completed by Oct. 31.
Fixing railroad crossing
WARREN -- Burnett Road in Warren Township, which leads to the Trumbull Correctional Institution, will be closed at state Route 5/82 until 5 p.m. Friday while the CSX railroad crossing is being repaired.
Endangered landmark
MOUNT JEWETT, Pa. (AP) -- The Kinzua Bridge, a national landmark bridge that was once the tallest and longest railroad bridge in the world, has been placed on a preservation organization's list of the 10 most endangered historic sites in Pennsylvania. Preservation Pennsylvania placed the 120-year-old Kinzua Bridge on the list after state officials in June barred tourist trains from running across it because it is severely rusted and its concrete supports are falling apart.