Motorcycle driver dies

Motorcycle driver dies
NEW CASTLE, Pa. -- A man thrown from his motorcycle in a crash last week has died. Pennsylvania State Police said Jerry W. Barker, 49, of RD 2, New Castle, was pronounced dead Saturday at Allegheny General Hospital in Pittsburgh. Police said Barker was hurt in a crash Nov. 3 at the intersection of Idlewild Drive and U.S. Route 224 in Union Township. They said he was westbound when an oncoming Chevrolet van turned into his path. Barker was wearing a helmet but suffered severe injuries when he was thrown from the motorcycle, police said. Police did not say if van driver, Roy Cline, 77, of Crestwood Drive, New Castle, will face charges.
Family displaced by fire
NEW CASTLE, Pa. -- A family of four was displaced by a suspicious fire at their Walnut Street home. Fire Chief James Donston said the blaze started at 10:22 p.m. Saturday at 2061/2 Walnut St., which was vacant. The other side of the duplex was occupied by Bill Pitzer, his wife and two children, Donston said. The Pitzers got out safely, he said. The fire chief did not know this morning who owns the duplex. Loss was estimated at about $80,000. Donston was unsure where the family was staying.
Salem power outage
SALEM -- Ohio Edison crews were trying to fix a power outage that affected north, south and east sides of the city. The outage occurred about 5:45 a.m. today when electrical wires on South Lincoln Avenue came down, according to LuAnn Koch, Edison area manager. She didn't know what caused the wires to fall. Police were directing traffic at several intersections.
Cat found at Goodwill
SALEM -- A movie of Dr. Seuss' popular tale "The Cat In The Hat" will soon appear in area theaters. But in Salem, you might say they have "The Cat In The Bag." Someone reported to police about 9:50 a.m. Sunday that they had gone to the rear of the Goodwill store on Broadway Avenue to deposit some items when they noticed movement inside a pillowcase that was lying on the ground. It turned out that a cat was inside. Police turned the feline over to the humane society and is asking anyone with information about the matter to contact police.
TV, liquor bottles missing
NEW CASTLE, Pa. -- A television and several bottles of liquor are missing from the Lawrence Club. The private club is located on the sixth floor of 134 N. Mercer St. Police said the items were taken sometime between 4:30 p.m. Saturday and 12:15 p.m. Sunday.
Flood grants available
HARRISBURG -- More than just loans are available to homeowners and renters in Lawrence and Mercer counties affected by severe storms and flooding last summer. Grants for repairing or replacing losses, even if the work has already been finished, are available. Receipts for the work are needed. Those affected should register by Nov. 18 to be considered for aid. To register, call (800) 621-3362.
Hunting gear stolen
SALEM -- A man's hunting equipment was stolen from his truck while it was parked on the 400 block of Filbert Avenue. The hunting gear was valued at $1,000. Also taken was a cordless drill worth $100. The crime was reported about 12:55 p.m. Friday, police said.
Developer, store sue
MONROEVILLE, Pa. (AP) -- A developer and the owners of an adult store chain have filed suit against one another over a mall lease for a proposed store that has yet to open. Jonnet Development Corp., which owns Jonnet Plaza in Monroeville, sued Ambiance Co., alleging store owners have failed to pay on a lease. Ambiance filed a countersuit, saying it is not obligated to pay rent because mall owners misled the store and did not provide proper permits. Less than a week before Ambiance was to open in November 2002, Monroeville officials revoked the store's building license, saying it had misrepresented itself as a women's clothing store. Ambiance sells lingerie and sex toys but said it does not rent or sell pornographic material. Judges are reviewing whether Monroeville had the right to revoke the store's occupancy permit and are determining the constitutionality of a zoning ordinance that determines what should be considered an adult business. Ambiance has eight stores in Ohio, including one in Boardman.