KEYSTONE CLIPS School goes to great heights to show patriotism

More than 350 pupils and faculty and staff members at Notre Dame Elementary School in Hermitage paid their own tribute to those who lost their lives in the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks in this country. Carrying large red, white and blue cards, the group spelled out the words "God Bless USA" on the front lawn of the school while a local photographer using a Hermitage Volunteer Fire Department rescue bucket took their picture from above. The tribute was done Sept. 11 of this year, marking the anniversary of the attacks.
Wanted: A tree for 2003
They've got a tree for this year but they're already looking for one next year to grace downtown Sharon's Community Light Up Night event. The committee organizing the event has been advertising for an evergreen tree between 30 and 35 feet tall to be used in the program. The committee has found a tree for the Nov. 21 ceremony this year but is already looking for one for the 2003 season. The committee will make all arrangements for clearing the tree from the donor's property and transporting it downtown. Anyone willing to donate a tree should call Winner International at (724) 981-1152Good newsShenango Valley precipitation for the month of September totaled 3.48 inches, only slightly less than the 3.86-inch average for the month. The valley is still well ahead of the normal amount of precipitation for the year, totaling 37.22 inches through the first nine months, compared with the average 30.1 inches for that period, according to statistics kept by the Shenango Valley Division of Consumers Pennsylvania Water Co. That bodes well for the valley, which, like most of Pennsylvania, has been below normal in precipitation for the last couple of years. The 2001 total was only 34.71 inches, nearly 5 inches below the annual average of 39.35 inches.
Safe-driving Web site
The Pennsylvania Department of Transportation has opened a new Web site to provide teenagers with information about safe driving. The Crossroads Web site, created by a team of students at Carnegie Mellon University as a learning tool, features eight colorful characters designed to capture teen interest while providing quizzes and educational information. The address is www.dmv.state.pa.us/crossroads/index.html.
Grants for fire departments
The Pulaski Township Fire Company is getting $12,240 for fire operations and firefighter safety, and the Union Township Volunteer Fire Department is getting $31,050. These Lawrence County communities were two of 38 fire companies in 24 counties that received more than $1 million total in federal fire grants. The Federal Emergency Management Agency and the U.S. Fire Administration had more than 19,000 fire departments nationwide apply for the money.
UContributors: Harold Gwin of the Sharon Bureau and Laure Cioffi of the New Castle Bureau.