KEYSTONE CLIPS Go figure: Stats show less rainfall

It may seem like it's been raining forever, but statistics kept by the Shenango Valley Division of Consumers Pennsylvania Water Co. show that the Valley actually got significantly less precipitation in June than it normally receives.
The water company reported 2.6 inches of rain for the month compared with the 4.12 average for June. The Valley is slightly behind the average precipitation for the first six months of the year, accumulating 18.05 inches compared with the average 18.8 inches. Total precipitation for 2002 was 45.85 inches, well above the average annual precipitation of 39.55 inches.
Singing hall's praises
The Pennsylvania Senate has officially commended the Vocal Group Hall of Fame in Sharon for its sixth annual artist induction ceremony.
The resolution honoring the nonprofit organization was sponsored by Sen. Robert Robbins of Greenville, R-50th, a supporter of the Vocal Group Hall of Fame & amp; Museum. The hall celebrates a broad array of musical styles, from doo-wop to rock, featuring vocal groups that perform music with harmony.
Previous inductees with Pennsylvania ties include The Four Aces out of Philadelphia, The Marcels and the Skyliners, both out of Pittsburgh, and The Vogues out of Turtle Creek. This year's induction ceremony is slated for Sept. 16.
Educating crime victims
The Lawrence County District Attorney's Office received a $2,225 grant from the Pennsylvania District Attorneys Institute to produce a booklet for victims of crime.
The "Crime Victim's Bill of Rights" booklet was developed by the Pennsylvania Commission on Crime and Delinquency and is designed for use by law enforcement agencies as required by the Crime Victims Act. The act requires all police officers to provide the booklet and contact information to victims of crime.
The grant will pay for 20,000 booklets to be distributed to Lawrence County police departments, said Matthew Mangino, county district attorney. Mangino said the information will pertain directly to the county and will serve as a directory and reference book, containing the names and telephone numbers of agencies that provide services to victims of crime.
Lawrence County cleans up
PA Clean Ways is cleaning up Lawrence County one piece of trash at a time. The local chapter reports it picked up tons of trash, discarded tires and litter at three sites this year.
Volunteers took more than 500 tires, 7 tons of trash and 5 tons of scrap metal from Hawthorne Road in Taylor Township this spring. They also collected more than 100 bags of litter, a half-ton of scrap metal and 28 tires from Plank Road in Neshannock Township. Just under 1 ton of trash was picked up on Jockey Moore Road in Wayne Township.
In addition to cleanup days, Clean Ways also has sponsored tire collection days and free disposal of inkjet cartridges, toner cartridges and mobile telephones, which are all recycled.
XCONTRIBUTORS: Harold Gwin, Vindicator Sharon Bureau, and Laure Cioffi, New Castle Bureau.