KEYSTONE CLIPS District attorney sends alerts via e-mail

Get the scoop directly from the Lawrence County District Attorney's office.
District Attorney Matthew Mangino has launched a new E-Alert Program that will send information out automatically on a number of useful items. Topics may include things such as local scams, bad checks, identity theft, missing people, community events and other things. The E-Alert Program will also provide e-mail warnings to local businesses about criminal activity, to senior citizens about scam artists and alert pharmacists about fraudulent prescriptions.
To register, go to the DA's Web site at www.lcdaonline.com or call (724) 656-1918.
Calling all Santas
Sharpsville Service Club is looking for some volunteers to be Santas and helpers on Christmas Eve in the borough. The club arranges to have Santa visit every home in town that wants a visit from the Jolly Old Elf on Christmas Eve. Those interested in participating or who have done it in the past and want to do it again should call Len Grandy at (724) 962-1638.
1-room schools
If there's a historical buff in your family, the Mercer County Historical Society may be able to help you with finding an appropriate Christmas gift.
Joannie Appleseed, a.k.a. Mae Beringer, has completed a major addition to her work, "The Mercer County One-Room School Story: 1800-1960," and the 314-page book is now available at the society's headquarters at 119 S. Pitt St., Mercer.
Beringer was a teacher in one of those schools.
The book contains depictions, names, locations, histories and pictures of the more than 300 Mercer County one-room schools that existed at one time.
The price is $35 plus tax and shipping is available. To order, call the society at (724) 662-3490.
A wet month
The year 2003 continued to be wetter than normal in the Shenango Valley as the Shenango Valley Division of Consumers Pennsylvania Water Co. reported precipitation for the month of October totaled 3.07 inches.
The average for the month is 2.76 inches.
Total precipitation for the Valley for the first 10 months of the year reached 44.19 inches, well above the average of 33.19 inches for that time period. The Valley experienced several years of very dry conditions but has made up for it this year and last.
Total precipitation for 2002 was 45.85 inches. The annual average is 39.55 inches.
XCONTRIBUTORS: Harold Gwin and Laure Cioffi, Vindicator Pa. staff