Hill View costs drop

Unemployment benefits for former employees are ending soon.
By LAURE CIOFFI
VINDICATOR NEW CASTLE BUREAU
NEW CASTLE, Pa. -- Costs for closing Lawrence County's nursing home have likely hit their peak, according to Lawrence County officials.
On Tuesday, commissioners are expected to transfer $200,000 from the county's general fund to Hill View Manor to pay unemployment expenses and other ongoing bills.
Charleen Micco, county administrator/chief clerk, said Hill View Manor's accounts now have $113. The county just received a $195,412 bill from the state for unemployment benefits of former employees, she said.
County officials closed the nursing home in February after the patient population dwindled and it became too costly to operate.
The county laid off the nearly 100 employees and must make quarterly payments to the state for their unemployment benefits. The county does not have unemployment insurance.
Micco said this should be the county's last large payment to the state because most former Hill View employees unemployment benefits should be ending and some have found new jobs.
One maintenance person remains on the grounds to ensure the building is secure, but there has been vandalism on the site in recent months.
Broken windows
Commissioners have said golf balls were used to break windows in the facility, which is adjacent to Sylvan Heights Golf Course. County officials said they know it is vandalism because all of the tees face the opposite direction and they had no problems when the building was occupied.
County commissioners have said they plan to sell the building and grounds. Officials are waiting for an appraisal of the property before marketing it.