Man hit by train suffers foot amputation

Man hit by trainsuffers foot amputation
TRANSFER, Pa. -- Pymatuning Township police said a Transfer man had his left foot amputated when he was struck by a train near his home this morning.
Police said they don't know why Kevin L. Miller, 45, was on the railroad tracks near his home at 11 Railroad St. at 2:45 a.m. A northbound Norfolk Southern freight train struck him, cutting off his left foot, police said.
Miller was able to hobble to a neighbor's residence to get help. He was taken to UPMC Horizon in Greenville and transferred to UPMC Presbyterian Hospital in Pittsburgh where he was listed in fair condition.
Another West Nile case
SHARON, Pa. -- Another case of West Nile virus has turned up in Mercer County. The Pennsylvania Department of Health reported Thursday that a 48-year-old woman contracted the disease, one of nine new cases reported across the state.
It's the third case in Mercer County this year. The state reported last Friday that a 24-year-old woman had the disease, and the first case was reported Aug. 22 involving an 11-year-old girl.
The state doesn't identify victims by name or give details of their home community or condition. There have been three cases in neighboring Lawrence County as well. Cases there involve two 75-year-old men and a 30-year-old man.
Pennsylvania has had 175 cases of human infection so far this year. Five of those people have died, according to the Department of Health.
School operating levy
BERLIN CENTER -- Western Reserve Board of Education approved the Nov. 4 ballot language for a 4-mill, five-year operating levy to raise $300,000 a year to avoid deficit spending. At its Thursday night meeting, the board also approved the closing of Ellsworth Elementary School last Friday as a calamity day because of a chemical spill at the corner of state Route 45 and U.S. Route 224.
Vandalism, thefts
SALEM -- Three vehicles were either vandalized or broken into, police were told Thursday.
A purse was taken from an unlocked vehicle parked on the 500 block of South Lundy Avenue.
Stereo equipment was stolen from a vehicle parked on the 1700 block of South Lincoln Avenue.
Someone threw a bottle through the rear window of a car parked on the 600 block of East Fourth Street.
Road to be closed
COLUMBIANA -- A section of Columbiana-Waterford Road will be closed for 14 days beginning Tuesday, the Ohio Department of Transportation reports.
The closure will be at the intersection of the road with state Routes 46 and 7 in Fairfield Township, southeast of Columbiana.
Closing that section of Columbiana-Waterford will allow completion of a $600,000 intersection improvement project that began in July.
The undertaking has included widening for new turn lanes and installation of a traffic signal.
Sentenced for drug crime
PITTSBURGH -- A Farrell man has been sentenced to more than seven years in prison for violating federal drug laws.
Eric L. Hopson, 26, of Beechwood Avenue pleaded guilty in June to possession of crack cocaine with intent to distribute. He appeared for sentencing Thursday before U.S. District Judge David S. Cercone, who ordered him to serve 88 months in prison followed by four years of parole.
Michael A. Comber, the assistant U.S. attorney who prosecuted the case, said Hopson had nearly one ounce of crack in his possession, which he sold to an undercover informant in Farrell on May 20,1999. Hopson had been held in federal custody without bond since his arrest in December.
Basket-making class
NEW CASTLE, Pa. -- The New Castle Public Library will offer a basket-making class from 4 to 8 p.m. Oct. 27 in the Copernicus Room on the first floor.
Kits, ranging in price from $24 to $26, must be purchased. Selections of baskets to make include a casserole basket, melon basket or a decorative Cherokee fruit basket. Advance registration is required by Oct. 23. Money for the kits is due the evening of class.
For details, call Susan Morgan or Sharon Savage at (724) 658-6659.
Theft at restaurant
GROVE CITY, Pa. -- Pennsylvania State Police said someone stole $3,200 from a safe in the office of the Elephant & amp; Castle Pub and Restaurant on Pa. Route 208 in Springfield Township. Police said the theft occurred between Aug. 3 and Sept. 6 but wasn't reported to authorities until Monday.