KEYSTONE CLIPS August rainfall keeps year on track to exceed average

August may not have been as damp as July in the Shenango Valley, but it was still a good bit wetter than normal. The Shenango Valley Division of Consumers Pennsylvania Water Co. reported 5.23 inches of rain fell in August, compared with the normal 3.54 inches of rain for that month. The Valley got 11.38 inches of rainfall in July of this year.
Statistics kept by the water company showed that 2003 is well on its way to above-normal precipitation. Normal for this area is 39.55 inches per year. The total for the first eight months of 2003 has already reached 34.66 inches as compared with the normal 26.69 inches for that time period. Total precipitation for 2002 was 45.85 inches.
A glimpse of government
Top students from schools in Mercer, Crawford and parts of Lawrence and Butler counties will get firsthand knowledge of how state government works when Sen. Robert Robbins of Greenville, R-50th, holds an Oct. 17 seminar at Thiel College in Greenville.
"Students will have the chance to freely exchange ideas and opinions with the panelists on current issues facing state government," Robbins said. Robbins and state Reps. Rod Wilt of Greenville, R-17th; Mike Gruitza of Hermitage, D-7th; and Dick Stevenson of Grove City, R-8th, will participate.
Students will attend three sessions on a variety of topics in the morning; the afternoon session will focus on how political participation affects the development of public policy.
High schools from Robbins' district have been invited to send up to five students each to participate in "State Government: A Closer Look." It's a free seminar; schools have until Sept. 20 to register by contacting Ann Coleman in Robbins' office at (800) 222-8793.
Emergency service grants
The Pennsylvania Office of the State Fire Commissioner is now accepting applications for the 2003 Volunteer Fire Company and Emergency Service Grant Program, according to state Rep. Frank LaGrotta of Ellwood City, D-10th. The program is open to qualified chartered volunteer fire companies and chartered volunteer ambulance services; application deadline is Dec. 31.
Grants to volunteer fire and rescue companies, ranging from a minimum of $2,500 to a maximum of $15,000, may be used for construction or renovation of a fire company's primary building; purchase or repair of firefighting, ambulance or rescue equipment; training; or debt reduction. Grants to volunteer ambulance companies range from $2,500 to $10,000.
To receive a grant, volunteer fire companies and ambulance services must establish a vendor account with the state using a W-9 form that was mailed to them by the Office of the State Fire Commissioner. The form must be signed by an authorized company officer and returned by Sept. 30. More details are available online at www.osfc.state.pa.us.
Scholarships
The Pennsylvania Higher Education Assistance Agency has two new scholarships for undergraduate students studying approved science and technology fields.
State Rep. Chris Sainato of New Castle, D-9th, said the New Economy Technology Scholarship Program is aimed at educating and retaining a work force of highly trained technology experts in the state.
The scholarships are not based on financial need and are awarded on a first-come, first served basis. For details, visit the PHEAA Web site at www.pheaa.org.
XCONTRIBUTORS: Laure Cioffi and Harold Gwin, Vindicator Pennsylvania staff.