Death reports false

Death reports false
GREENVILLE, Pa. -- A Grove City man reported killed in a Saturday morning crash in Hempfield Township survived the accident. Both township police and Mercy Hospital in Pittsburgh said Monday that Timothy Whetzel, 20, of Blom Road, Grove City, had died of injuries suffered in the crash. However, a hospital spokeswoman said Tuesday that that information was incorrect and that Whetzel was alive, though in critical condition. Police said Whetzel was a passenger in a car driven by Darlene Perrine, 42, of West Main Street, Grove City, that made a left turn into the path of another vehicle on Mercer Road. Perrine spent two days in UPMC Horizon with injuries suffered in the crash. The other driver wasn't hurt.
Guilty in traffic death
WARREN -- A Hermitage woman has pleaded guilty to a misdemeanor count of vehicular homicide. Catherine Settlemire, 41, entered the plea Tuesday in Trumbull County Common Pleas Court. Judge Andrew Logan said Settlemire will be sentenced after a background check by the county adult probation department. She could receive up to six months in the county jail and a $1,000 fine. Prosecutors said that on Jan. 26, Settlemire was driving on Standard Road near U.S. Route 62 in Brookfield, crossed the median and struck a car. A passenger in that car, Yvonne Edwards, 71, also of Hermitage, was killed.
Deficit reduced
NEW CASTLE, Pa. -- City school officials have reduced their budget deficit to $2.1 million. School Business Manager Marie Pisano said Tuesday that the district has saved some money by taking over some special education classes and not contracting with the Midwestern Intermediate Unit. They plan to replace only six of the seven teachers who are retiring this year and will not replace a security guard who retired, she said. Pisano said the district has heard that the state will increase its annual subsidy by 1 percent, which will mean an extra $155,000 for the New Castle Area School District. She said the district is planning an 8-mill tax increase that will bring in about $550,000. The district introduced its budget earlier this month with a $4.1 million deficit. Officials said rising costs contributed to the deficit but could not pinpoint any specific reason for the problem.
Shoe store robbed
SHARON, Pa. -- A robber took a small amount of cash from Payless Shoe Store on East State Street. Police said the man walked in and demanded money at about 4:35 p.m. Tuesday. He didn't appear to have a weapon and no one was injured, police said. The clerk handed over a small amount of cash and the robber fled. He was described as black male with a goatee and glasses, standing 6 feet tall and weighing about 185 pounds.
Bullets fired into store
PULASKI, Pa. -- Shots were fired into the Adultland XXX bookstore on U.S. Route 422 this morning, said state police. They said a semitruck driver who had slept in his vehicle awoke about 5 a.m. and saw a man walk to the front of the store, which was closed, and fire three shots through the front door. The man is described as being 6 feet tall, weighing about 180 pounds, police said. No other description was available and it's unclear from police reports how much damage was done to the store.
Model train show
NILES -- More than 70 tables of collectible model trains and accessories will be set up throughout the Eastwood Mall complex Friday through Sunday for the Model Train and Collectible Show. Vendors will sell merchandise, and the Western Reserve Railroad Club will build a 20- by 40-foot train track in front of the mall's customer service booth.
Stabbed man released
ELLWOOD CITY, Pa. -- A 19-year-old man recovering from a stab wound has been released from Allegheny General Hospital. Police said the stabbing suspect, Richard Allen Miller, 29, of Centerville, Pa., was arrested at 1:50 a.m. Sunday a short distance from where Charles McCarter, no address available, was stabbed on First Street near Fountain Avenue. Mill is charged with aggravated assault, recklessly endangering another person and disorderly conduct. The details of the stabbing were not available from police. Miller remained in jail this morning after failing to post $25,000 bond.