Mercer HazMat deal

Mercer HazMat deal
MERCER, Pa. -- County commissioners have terminated an agreement for HazMat services with Weavertown Environmental Group, Houston, Pa., replacing the company with McCutcheon Enterprises Inc., Apollo, Pa., on the recommendation of the Local Emergency Planning Commission. No fee will be charged unless services are provided. They also entered an agreement with Staley Wireless LP, Wheeling, W.Va., for lease of three towers, for a total $1,170 monthly. Commissioners also entered a service agreement for radio and console maintenance for the county 911 center with Staley Communications Inc., Sharpsville, for $1,392 monthly. Commissioners previously had agreements with Cattron but the company was bought out by Staley.
Lisbon fire department
LISBON -- Council gave approval Monday for installation of a second phone line into the village fire department. The request was made by Fire Chief David Lewton. The line will be a dedicated line for the computer hookup to the state fire marshal's office, Lewton said.
Lewton noted that the department had only one phone line. If someone was on the phone and information was needed online, the caller would need to hang up and redial to connect to the computer. Estimated costs were $50 to install the line and $22 per month to maintain it, Lewton said.
In a related matter, council approved the application of Terry Madison as a volunteer firefighter for the department, bringing the squad up to 22 members.
Death likely accidental
SALEM -- The death of a Perry Township man who was hit by a train probably will be ruled accidental, Columbiana County Coroner Dr. William Graham said.
Herman Schukert, 37, 350 Plymouth Place, died of massive injuries, including broken bones and a fractured skull, Dr. Graham said Monday.
Schukert was hit by a westbound train where the tracks cross South Ellsworth Avenue.
Authorities said he was walking north on the road about 12:24 a.m. Sunday when he tried to jog across the tracks before the train could block them.
It's unclear where Schukert was walking to, or where he was coming from, Dr. Graham said.
Tests are being conducted to determine if Schukert was under the influence of alcohol or drugs, Dr. Graham said.
Block breaks window
SALEM -- The owner of an apartment building on the 800 block of South Lundy Avenue told police someone threw a concrete block through a 40-inch-by-60-inch window.
The crime occurred about 11 p.m. Sunday. No one lives in the apartment, police said.
Beaver trustees meeting
NORTH LIMA -- Beaver Township trustees have their regular monthly meeting at 6:30 tonight. At a special meeting last week, they made several adjustments, including budgetary transfers, to their 2003 spending plan.
SRU trustees donation
SLIPPERY ROCK -- A $15,000 contribution to the local fire department has been approved by Slippery Rock University Council of Trustees.
The trustees requested that their donation to the Slippery Rock Volunteer Fire Department be shared with the rescue squad. Earlier this year, the university gave the department $100,000 for a new ladder truck. Last week, they also approved a $565 donation to be shared between the Sandy Lake and Stoneboro volunteer fire departments because of their availability to the McKeever Environmental Learning Center.
Trustees elected Dr. Dennis Murray of Hollidaysburg council vice chairman. He replaces Howard Meyer, whose term expired recently.
Money taken from safe
NEW CASTLE, Pa. -- Someone took money out of a safe at Weller's Hardware Store on North Liberty Street. Police said the safe was under the counter and contained $272. The money was taken sometime from noon to 1 p.m. Monday.
Leetonia zoning matter
LEETONIA -- The zoning board of appeals will meet at 6:30 p.m. Monday in the village council chambers to discuss a zoning variance on a height requirement for a fence at 248 High St.