Backhoe accident takes life of man

Backhoe accidenttakes life of man
PULASKI, Pa. -- A man attempting to fix a backhoe died after he was accidentally crushed by it. Darrell Ellsworth Hoover, 75, of Pine Glen Road was found under the medium-sized backhoe by relatives at 4:30 p.m. Sunday, said Pennsylvania State Police.
Trooper Joseph Vascetti said Hoover, who was partially disabled and walked with a cane, was preparing the medium-sized backhoe for gardening and attempting to charge the battery. He was standing between the front and rear wheels, near the ignition switch, and failed to realize the backhoe was in gear, Vascetti said.
When Hoover started the backhoe, it knocked him to the ground and ran over him, he said. Family members found Hoover and rushed him to Jameson Memorial Hospital, where he died at 5:15 p.m. He suffered massive internal injuries, police said.
Police to crack downon junk vehicles, trash
EAST PALESTINE -- In response to numerous complaints from city residents, police will be aggressively enforcing city ordinances that prohibit junk vehicles and the accumulation of trash on property within the city.
Chief Clyde Hoffmeister said police are urging residents to take advantage of the citywide cleanup through Saturday. Large trash bins are available free to residents during the cleanup, he said.
For more information on the city's junk ordinance or the use of the free trash bins, call police at (330) 426-4341.
Genealogy, poetry tools
EAST PALESTINE -- East Palestine Memorial Public Library patrons with an interest in poetry or genealogy now have two new Internet tools to assist in their search efforts. Lisa Rohrbaugh, library director, said the library computers now have links to a poem-finder Web site and a Web site with links to many historical records. The poem-finder Web site allows poetry enthusiasts to search for a favorite poem by typing in a few key words.
The database contains more than 100,000 poems, she said. She said the historical records Web site will give patrons access to information such as railroad company employee rolls, death or immigration records.
Charged with arson
NEW CASTLE, Pa. -- A city man is accused of starting a fire at his neighbor's house. Clayton Williams, 22, of South Crawford Avenue, faces charges of arson, recklessly endangering another person and criminal mischief for a fire at 108 S. Crawford Ave. He was arrested and arraigned Thursday.
His preliminary hearing is set for 10:15 a.m. Friday before District Justice Melissa Amodie. City police said they are still investigating a string of other fires that occurred over the last three weeks.
Wildflower walk
SLIPPERY ROCK, Pa. -- Celebrate the arrival of spring with a 90-minute wildflower walk at the Jennings Environmental Education Center at 2 p.m. Sunday.
The Jennings staff will explore the history, uses and folklore of the season's first blooms.
For countless generations, wildflowers have been admired and revered for their beauty and usefulness as food and medicines. American Indians as well as early European settlers largely depended on the healing powers of wildflowers for common ailments.
Jennings is open from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. weekdays and on weekends as scheduled.