Cows hit the road then fade into night

Cows hit the roadthen fade into night
WEST MIDDLESEX, Pa. -- Shenango Township Police said they don't know where the cows came from that were running around on Pa. Route 60 near the Interstate 80 interchange. Police also said they don't know where they went. Police Chief Ron Preston said officers chased them around between 9 and 10 p.m. Saturday, and the cows disappeared into a woods. Speculation is that they escaped from a local farm, but no one had reported any missing cattle as of this morning. Preston said the cows may have startled motorists but no cows were hit.
Chinese auction
EAST PALESTINE -- A book sale and Chinese auction sponsored by the Friends of the East Palestine Memorial Public Library will be Thursday, Friday and Saturday at the library, 309 N. Market St. Hours are 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Thursday and 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Friday and Saturday.
Poker run to benefitchapter of Red Cross
SALEM -- A motorcycle poker run to benefit the American Red Cross of North Columbiana County will begin at 11:30 a.m. Sunday at Gordon Brothers Water, 776 N. Ellsworth Ave. Proceeds benefit local American Red Cross services including disaster relief, domestic emergency preparedness, family emergency relief, critical life-saving training, armed forces emergency services, and community education. Registration begins at 11:30 a.m. and the first bike will go out at 12:30 p.m. Cost is $10 per person for cards, ride, food and music. Motorcycle riders will take a scenic route around the Ohio countryside and return to Gordon Brothers for a big barbecue dinner with beverages and prizes. For more information, contact the American Red Cross North Columbiana County Chapter at (330) 332-0028 or send e-mail to RedCross@SalemOhio.com.
Television theft
SALEM -- A woman who lives on the 1000 block of Pershing Street says someone stole a 25-inch television and a videocassette recorder.
The theft was reported around 5:15 p.m. Saturday, police said.
Bicycles stolen
SALEM -- Three bicycles were stolen from a home on the 600 block of Woodland Avenue, police said.
The crime is believed to have occurred sometime after dark Thursday. It was reported around 11:35 a.m. Friday.
Party to mark completionof convention center
PITTSBURGH (AP) -- Pittsburgh is throwing a two-day bash to commemorate the completion of the city's $375 million convention center. The party is being thrown with the help of $500,000 from the state.
The grant from the state's Community Redevelopment Program will be used toward the event, called "Pittsburgh Powers Up," which includes a black-tie affair and an open house with a marching band, magicians, stilt walkers, college and pro athletes and a 30-foot-tall dinosaur.
"It's a good investment of dollars to showcase Pittsburgh, help us and bring in people. ... It is really an investment in topping off what we have done with the convention center," said Barbara McNees, head of the Greater Pittsburgh Chamber of Commerce, which received the grant.
Critics said the grant was a waste of money.
"I don't think the state ought to be funding this party," said Jake Haulk with the Allegheny Institute for Public Policy, a conservative think tank.
The two-day celebration is scheduled for Sept. 20-21.
Rainy summerhampers boaters
PITTSBURGH (AP) -- A wetter-than-normal summer has meant anything but smooth sailing for boaters and marina owners along Pittsburgh's three rivers.
A series of thunderstorms last month dumped more than 6 inches of rain, double the normal rainfall, on western Pennsylvania, swelling the rivers around the city and sending debris downstream.
"With the rain and the water level being up high and the debris floating down river, boating conditions have been horrible," said Dan Joyce, manager of the Fox Chapel Yacht Club.
Joyce said business at the club dipped 30 percent from last year, the largest decline in six or seven years.
Boater Jim Cairns, 37, said he didn't mind the high water but the debris was a drag.
The U.S. Coast Guard has assisted as many as 10 boaters this season, most of them for engine failure or snarled propellers, said Petty Officer Third Class Dustin Stoner.
"As long as they're slow and safe and keep a watchful eye, they shouldn't have too much trouble navigating the rivers," Stoner said.