Facing charges of homicide

Facing chargesof homicide
NEW CASTLE, Pa. -- Alfred Paige, accused of inflicting injuries on an infant that resulted in the child's death 11 years later, returned to Lawrence County to face homicide charges. Paige, 38, was arraigned Wednesday before District Justice Melissa Amodie and remanded to the Lawrence County Jail without bond. His preliminary hearing is set for 3 p.m. Oct. 18. Paige, who is serving time in state prison on an unrelated charge, is accused of fracturing the skull of 2-month-old Andre Tolbert. Andre died in May 2000, at age 11, and a recent autopsy determined his death was a result of the injuries he suffered as an infant.
Autopsy results
NEW CASTLE, Pa. -- A man found dead on Frew Mill Road apparently died of natural causes, according to an autopsy. Pennsylvania State Police said Wednesday that James C. Kradel, 45, of Bedford Street was found about 12:05 p.m. Monday. An autopsy was performed Tuesday by Dr. Karl Williams at the Ellwood City Hospital. Police said they are waiting for the results of blood tests, but they do not suspect foul play.
Gas line rupture
SHARON, Pa. -- The Shenango Valley Community Library and several nearby businesses were evacuated briefly after a crew working on the Dock Street truck access road project ruptured a medium-pressure natural gas line near East State Street. The sound of the escaping gas rushing from the break could be heard several blocks away. Authorities ordered the evacuation of the library, The Wave, Helen Freed's bridal shop and The Herald newspaper around 10:40 a.m. Wednesday, and a National Fuel Gas crew was about to shut down the line before 11 a.m. People were then allowed to return.
Cause of fire
GREENVILLE, Pa. -- A electrical problem in a computer is being blamed for a fire that destroyed the mobile home of Bill and Tammy Hodge at Eckstrom Mobile Home Park, 347 Hadley Road, Hempfield Township. Fire Chief Roy Ritter said a neighbor spotted the blaze around 1 p.m. Wednesday. The Hodges and their two children weren't home, but two dogs in the trailer were killed, Ritter said. The structure was a total loss and the family is being assisted by the American Red Cross, Ritter said.
Chinese auction
SHARON, Pa. -- The public is invited when Parents of Murdered Children Inc. holds its seventh annual Chinese auction from noon to 2 p.m. Sunday at Sharon American Legion Post 299, 1395 E. State St. Admission is $3.
United Way goal
NEW CASTLE, Pa. -- The Lawrence County United Way has reached 33 percent of its $720,000 fund-raising goal this year. So far $233,062 has been raised for the campaign, said Ed Bentkowski, campaign chairman and United Way president. FirstMeritBank of New Castle had one of the highest contributions at Wednesday's meeting, raising $44,000. The next meeting of the fund-raising committee will be at noon Oct. 23 at the New Castle Community Y.
Board fills seat
SHARPSVILLE, Pa. -- Sharpsville Area School Board has picked Lori Gill of Mercer Avenue to fill a board vacancy created by the resignation of Robert Timmerman. The board interviewed four candidates in a special meeting Wednesday. Gill will serve until December 2003.
Stroke seminar
BOARDMAN -- A stroke seminar, featuring speakers from Ohio, Pennsylvania and Arizona, will focus on emergency care in stroke, management of medical and physical stroke issues, and prevention of stroke.
Sponsored by Forum Health's Hillside Rehabilitation Hospital, HMHP's St. Elizabeth Health Center, and Salem Community Hospital, the seminar is from 8:45 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Friday and 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday at the Holiday Inn here. Call (330) 965-9230 for more information.