Comprehensive plan for Lawrence County

Comprehensive planfor Lawrence County
NEW CASTLE, Pa. -- Lawrence County's comprehensive plan won't be ready until early next year. Planning director James Gagliano said his office is working on an executive summary of the plan. The plan is a blueprint for development in the county. Gagliano said the summary will make the document, which is in two large binders, more user-friendly. The plan was initiated nearly four years ago by the previous planning director, Steve Craig, who was recently elected county commissioner.
Resignation plannedon Hermitage board
HERMITAGE, Pa. -- The president of the city school board will resign at a special meeting at 5:30 p.m. Dec. 17. Duane Piccirilli, a 10-year board veteran, will be taking a seat as one of five city commissioners in January, having won election to the post in November. By law, the school board will have 30 days to appoint someone to fill the two years left in his unexpired term. Superintendent Karen Ionta said any district resident interested in filling the spot should submit an application to the district office by noon Jan. 2. The board will conduct interviews Jan. 7 and 8 and make an appointment at a special meeting Jan. 12, she said.
Appointed to authority
NEW CASTLE, Pa. -- Lawrence County commissioners were so impressed with Donald Conti's request to be on the county housing authority that he was given the position. Conti attended Tuesday's commissioners meeting and made his request during public comment. He said he is disabled and would be able to help the authority become compliant with federal laws requiring housing to be handicapped-accessible. Commissioner Roger DeCarbo said he was impressed that Conti took the initiative to approach the commissioners at a meeting. Conti will serve a five-year term on the board. He replaces Keith Patterson, whose term ends Dec. 31. Commissioners also appointed Robert B. Jackson of New Galilee and Philip Dean of New Castle to the county conservation district board of directors. Both will serve until 2007.
Domestic-violence play
MONACA, Pa. -- For the second time this fall, Dr. Carol Schafer will direct "The Other Side of the River," a play about domestic violence that she co-authored with Grace Coleman, executive director of Pittsburgh's Crisis Center North. Schafer, assistant professor of theater, integrative arts and women's studies at Penn State Beaver, directed the play's premiere in September at the Andy Warhol Museum. Crisis Center North provided educational programs and counseling services for victims of domestic violence and abuse. On Friday, "The Other Side of the River" will be presented at the Fairview Elementary School in Fox Chapel at 7:30 p.m. The play also will be Saturday in the J.V.H. Auditorium at Point Park College at 7:30 p.m. Admission is free. Donations, however, are encouraged to help fund programs and services at Crisis Center North. Verizon Wireless has provided corporate sponsorship for all productions of the play.
Reimbursement seminar
NEW CASTLE, Pa. -- Diversified Advisors Inc. is sponsoring a one-hour free seminar on health-reimbursement arrangements from 8 to 9 a.m. Friday at Steamers Coffee and Tea Co. in Shenley Square on Highland Avenue. Steve Jackson from Total Administrative Services Corporation will be the speaker. To attend, call (724) 654-5559.
YSU group's celebrationis planned for Thursday
YOUNGSTOWN -- The African Students Union, a new organization at Youngstown State University, will celebrate the founding of the group 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Thursday in the Ohio Room of Kilcawley Center on the YSU campus. The group was formed to promote the causes of Africa and to serve as a base where new African students can assimilate to the American culture while maintaining their African roots. The kickoff ceremony will include a dance performance and fashion show by African students and comments by African faculty members. Membership is open to all YSU students who are in good academic standing.