Test positive for virus

Test positive for virus
NEW CASTLE, Pa. -- Another mosquito pool in Lawrence County and two more birds in Mercer County have tested positive for the West Nile virus. The Pennsylvania Department of Health reports the mosquitoes were collected in the city of New Castle. The birds were found in Sharon and Hermitage.
This is the second mosquito pool testing positive in Lawrence County. There have also been seven dead birds and one dead horse found with the disease. Mercer County has had nine dead birds testing positive for West Nile. The disease can be deadly to the elderly and those with weakened immune systems. It is transmitted through mosquitoes.
Facing robbery charges
SHARON, Pa. -- Donovan F. Zec, 31, of Third Avenue, was in Mercer County Jail after his arrest in the robbery of the Sheetz Inc. convenience store at 505 E. State St., police said.
Zec was picked up in the 700 block of East State Street shortly after noon Tuesday and arraigned before District Justice James McMahon on charges of robbery, theft and making terroristic threats.
Police accused him of taking an undisclosed amount of money from a clerk at the store around 4 a.m. Monday. McMahon ordered him held in jail on $5,000 bond.
Discussing cable
HILLSVILLE, Pa. -- Thomas Leslie, Mahoning Township solicitor, said Tuesday he checked into the contract with AT & amp;T for cable television service and found the township cannot force the company to provide cable service to Butch Estates.
AT & amp;T has claimed extending the line there would be too expensive. Supervisors asked Leslie to request a meeting with AT & amp;T to discuss other options.
Stolen from business
NEW CASTLE, Pa. -- Someone took numerous tools, soda pop and cash from Fulkerson Construction on West Washington Street. Police said someone broke into the building sometime Monday night and also took off with keys to some vehicles and the building. Police said they found some of the items in a makeshift camp that was set up near railroad tracks next to the building.
Man steals camera
NEW CASTLE, Pa. -- A man taking photographs for an art class was robbed of his digital camera. Police said a short, bald, heavyset man pointed a gun at the 29-year-old victim and demanded the camera at 12:04 a.m. today behind 407 N. Jefferson St. Police could not explain how he was taking photographs in the dark.
Fire at vacant house
NEW CASTLE, Pa. -- Firefighters were called to a suspected arson about 1:30 a.m. today on Richilieu Avenue. The vacant house is owned by Benjamin Dottle Jr. of Bryson Mill Road.
Charged in shooting
YOUNGSTOWN -- Bond has been set at $500,000 cash or surety for Lynn M. Bowden, 23, of Ravine Road, who is charged with murder in the shooting death of Aundre Phillips, 17, of Duncan Lane. Phillips was shot about 2:15 a.m. Sunday outside Bowden's home.