KEYSTONE CLIPS Toy drive gets big response

The annual toy drive by the Mercer Barracks of the Pennsylvania State Police appeared to be in trouble two weeks ago, but the public has responded to the need in a big way.
The drive collected about 600 new toys last year but things were looking bad earlier this month. With two weeks left in the campaign, only 75 toys had been donated. The police put out the word that the drive was faltering and the toys began to pour in. When the collection period ended earlier this week, more than 2,200 new toys had been gathered. They were turned over to the Mercer County Children's Aid Society to be distributed to needy children in the county.
"This was an incredible show of community spirit and will certainly brighten the holidays for many young children in Mercer County," said Jeffrey Albaugh, coordinator of the drive.
A wet November
True to her course so far this year, Mother Nature made November damper than normal in the Shenango Valley.
Statistics kept by the Shenango Valley Division of Consumers Pennsylvania Water Co. showed that total precipitation for the month reached 3.91 inches as compared with the average of 3.42 for November.
It's been that way every month this year, and the total precipitation for the first 11 months reached 48.1 inches. That's well above the average total annual precipitation of 39.55 inches and well above the 2002 total of 45.85 inches.
Free calendars
State Rep. Rod Wilt of Greenville, R-17th, has free copies of the official Pennsylvania House of Representatives 2004 calendars available at his Greenville and Meadville offices. Interested parties can call the Greenville office at (724) 588-8911or theMeadville office at (814) 337-8132.
Death and taxes
With a tax increase looming in Lawrence County, one frequent visitor to the county commissioners meeting told officials they'd better watch out.
Edward Olacz warned commissioners Tuesday that older people in the community can't afford higher taxes. "We'll lose our homes and have to come and live with you commissioners," he said.
Commissioner Roger DeCarbo made an offer to Olacz. "I have a lot of space, but I don't think you would be interested in it," said DeCarbo, who is also a funeral home director.