Burning mattress

Burning mattress
FARRELL, Pa. -- Fire Chief Joseph Santell said smoke from a burning mattress drew firefighters to the Gibbs Hauling Service building at Stambaugh Avenue and Idaho Street. The cause wasn't immediately determined, but Santell said it is possible someone discarded a cigarette that caused the fire around 11 a.m. Wednesday. Although there was a fair amount of smoke, there was no fire damage, Santell said.
Workers scheduledfor flood-damage aid
NEW CASTLE, Pa. -- Workshops to assist homeowners affected by flooding last week are set for 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. today through Tuesday at the Darlington Township Fire Hall, 3590 Darlington Road, Beaver County, and at the Enon Valley Community Volunteer Fire Department on Cass Street in Enon Valley, Lawrence County. Both counties have been approved for federal disaster loan assistance for homeowners, renters and businesses. Loans range up to $200,000 for structural damage and $40,000 for possession replacement. For applications and program information, call the U.S. Small Business Administration at (800) 659-2955 or check the Internet at www.pema.state.pa.us.
School technology grants
Four school districts in Mercer and Lawrence counties are among 67 districts and charter schools across the state to get a piece of a $10.5 million grant to improve the integration of technology into schools and to boost pupil achievement. One-fourth of the grant must be spent on staff development and an additional 10 percent must go for program evaluation. The rest can be spent on hardware and software to improve technology education. The local grant recipients and amounts are Farrell, $30,000; Jamestown, $30,000; Lakeview, $33,400; and Mohawk, $43,020.
Man injured in accidentstill in serious condition
LISBON -- Dean P. Santee, 71, of East Rochester, was in serious condition in St. Elizabeth Health Center, Youngstown, with injuries he suffered in a two-car crash Tuesday evening in Butler Township. Santee's wife, Peggy, 70, was killed in the crash when their car collided with another vehicle on Georgetown-Damascus Road, four miles south of U.S. Route 62. The driver and passenger in the other car were not seriously injured. The Lisbon post of the Ohio State Highway Patrol is investigating. No citations have yet been issued.
Taxpayer files lawsuitover insurance contract
LISBON -- Columbiana County commissioners are being sued by a county man who says the board has entered into an illegal contract for employee health insurance. Larry Everly of Columbiana filed the taxpayer suit this week in county common pleas court. The suit asks that commissioners' contract with Anthem Blue Cross/Blue Shield be struck down and commissioners be made to hire a professional consultant to help them evaluate insurance proposals. Everly is a local insurance broker who was invited by commissioners to bid on the county's health insurance program. He says the county could have gotten a lower rate by choosing a different carrier, including one of the plans offered through his company.
Cops arrest Va. fugitive
SHARON, Pa. -- Police said a man accused of assaulting his girlfriend turned out to be a fugitive wanted in Virginia. Daniel S. Digman, 26, of Prospect Avenue was arrested around 1 p.m. Tuesday at his home on charges of simple assault and false imprisonment in the assault of his 19-year-old girlfriend Monday in the Prospect Street home they share. After his arrest, police learned Digman is wanted on charges of grand larceny in Montgomery County, Virginia. He was arraigned before District Justice James McMahon, who ordered him held in Mercer County Jail on $50,000 bond.
'Fish for Free Day' in Pa.
SHARON, Pa. -- Saturday is the second "Fish for Free Day" in Pennsylvania. The Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission will allow anyone to legally fish for in-season species such as trout, walleye and panfish. No license will be required, but anglers must still follow the normal rules and regulations dealing with seasons, sizes and creel limits. The goal is to foster interest in outdoor recreation in the state.