Crash kills woman

Crash kills woman
BUTLER, Pa. -- An Evans City woman died Tuesday after her car crashed into a tractor-trailer on U.S. Route 422 in Franklin Township, Butler County. Pennsylvania State Police said Marjorie Ann Schaffer, 44, was traveling west around 7:45 a.m. when her vehicle crossed the center line for an unknown reason. Her 1982 Chevrolet S-10 crashed into a tractor-trailer driven by Vincent Crescenzo, 46, of Callery, Pa. Police said Schaffer was pronounced dead at 8:50 a.m. Tuesday at Butler Memorial Hospital by Deputy Coroner Larry Barr. Crescenzo was not hurt, police said. The road was closed to other traffic for about three hours.
Library book sale
SHARON, Pa. -- The annual Shenango Valley Community Library book sale will begin Thursday in the library at East State Street and Sharpsville Avenue. Hours are 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. Thursday, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Friday and Saturday and 1 to 4 p.m. Sunday. The sale is sponsored by the Friends of the Library.
Salvation Army auction
MERCER, Pa. -- Salvation Army Worship Center at 113 S. Erie Street will have its annual auction at 10 a.m. Saturday. Donations of new and used items in good working condition such as furniture, tools, toys, appliances, gift certificates for car repair, beauty shop services, manicures and meals at area restaurants are being accepted. Only store-bought clothes are being accepted. A used car in good running condition would be appreciated. All donations should be at the center by 5 p.m. Friday. All proceeds will be used for local corps youth activities. Snacks will be available.
Election registration
NEW CASTLE, Pa. -- The last day to register to vote for the general election in Lawrence County is Monday. This includes new registrations or change of address, party or name. Office hours for the county elections office are 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Friday. Mail registration forms are available at all post offices, township and borough buildings. The mail registration must be postmarked no later than Oct. 6. The last day to apply for an absentee ballot is Oct. 28, and all voted ballots must be received by Oct. 31.
No Pittsburgh marathon
PITTSBURGH (AP) -- The City of Pittsburgh Marathon won't be run next year because of a lack of city funds and the loss of the race's sponsor. Mayor Tom Murphy said Tuesday that he hopes a new sponsor can be found and the city's finances can improve enough to revive the race for 2005. The race, generally run in early May, has been sponsored by the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center since 1996. Before that, Giant Eagle was the sponsor. More than 3,200 runners participated this year. Although the race attracts mostly local runners, it has been used as an Olympic trials event and attracted world-class athletes from as far away as Kenya and Russia. The city is struggling with a projected $60 million deficit.
Child rapist gets prison
LISBON -- A Salem man has been sentenced to nine years in prison for raping a girl he knew. Judge C. Ashley Pike of Columbiana County Common Pleas Court sentenced Carroll Gene Rotzel, 51, of West Fifth Street, recently. He was charged with two counts of rape, a first-degree felony, each bearing a maximum 10-year sentence. As part of a plea agreement, the county prosecutor's office recommended nine years on each count and concurrent sentences. Assistant county Prosecutor Tim McNicol said Tuesday that the rapes involved a girl who was 11 years old when the first episode occurred and 13 when the second occurred.
Burglaries in Salem
SALEM -- Break-ins at two homes were reported to police. Someone smashed a bedroom window in the 900 block of Jones Drive and took $25, police said. The crime occurred between 3 p.m. and 4 p.m. Tuesday. In another break-in, someone entered a home in the 600 block of Arch Street and took jewelry and cash. No dollar value of the stolen items was listed. The crime was reported around 7 p.m. Wednesday.
Guardrail replacements
SALEM -- One-lane traffic will be maintained with flaggers at several locations on state highways in Carroll and Columbiana counties as workers replace guardrails. Ohio Department of Transportation officials said Lake Erie Construction Co. of Norwalk has the $1.3 million contract. Work is to begin Oct. 13 and be completed by July 31, 2004. Guardrails will be replaced on 10 routes in Columbiana County and six in Carroll County.