KEYSTONE CLIPS Grant will help 4-H initiative

The Lawrence County Penn State Cooperative Extension and the Union Area Future Farmers of America have been awarded a grant from the Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture, said state Rep., Chris Sainato of New Castle, D-9th.
The $2,500 grant to the extension office will help support the county's 4-H Rural Teen Leadership Initiative, Sainato said.
The initiative involves participation in Penn State Achievement Days, which provides rural 4-H an opportunity to demonstrate skills and meet with other members from across the state; a regional 4-H weekend, which focuses on local agriculture-related issues; and camp counselor training, in which teens learn how to lead younger children at 4-H camps.
Sainato said Union FFA's $1,900 grant will be used to purchase a system used to grow plants without the use of soil, for eighth- through 12th-graders. Both grants are from the department's Agriculture and Rural Youth Organization Grant Program.
Tapping into funds
Parents of special-needs children can use money from the state's Tuition Account Program to help pay for supplies and equipment needed to educate a special-needs child, said state Rep. Frank LaGrotta of Ellwood City, D-10th.
The TAP program has traditionally been used to pay for college tuition. It allows parents and family members to invest money that is exempt from both state and federal taxes. For more details, call (800) 440-4000.
Reporting suspicious activity
Pennsylvania residents who observe suspicious activity they believe may be related to terrorism can call a state police Terrorism Tip Center. All reports will be kept confidential.
As homeland security threats continue to increase, local and state law enforcement agencies are relying on citizens more than ever to help identify potentially dangerous activity, said state Rep. Rod Wilt of Greenville, R-17th. People can contact the tip center at (888) 292-1919 or by e-mail at www.psp.state.pa.us.
Small Ships Revue entries
Quaker Steak & amp; Lube is looking for entries in its annual Small Ships Revue on the Shenango River in downtown Sharon. This year's regatta of homemade watercraft is set for June 28.
There will be a pre-revue registration party at 3 p.m. at Quaker Steak & amp; Lube at Connelly Boulevard and Chestnut Street, a pre-launch parade at 6 p.m. starting at Penn State Shenango on Vine Avenue and the flotilla will launch at 7 p.m. More than $5,000 in cash and prizes will be awarded to outstanding entries. A 10 p.m. fireworks display at Three By the River behind Quaker Steak will cap the night. Entry forms are available by calling (724) 981-3123.
XCONTRIBUTORS: Laure Cioffi, Vindicator New Castle Bureau, and Harold Gwin, Sharon Bureau.