State of disaster in Pa.

State of disaster in Pa.
NEW CASTLE, Pa. -- Lawrence County is one of seven additional counties declared a state of disaster emergency by Gov. Ed Rendell. The designation allows the state, county and municipal governments to respond effectively to recent flooding by requesting federal aid.
The counties were affected by tropical depressions Ivan and Jeanne, which dumped more than 9 inches of rain in some areas. The governor's proclamation authorizes state agencies to use all available resources and personnel necessary to cope with the magnitude and severity of this emergency.
Time-consuming bidding and contracting procedures and formalities normally needed are waived for the duration of the proclamation. People needing assistance should call their local city or county emergency management office. Others declared a state of disaster emergency were Chester, Crawford, Delaware, Montgomery, Philadelphia and Sullivan counties.
Online auction ceremony
COLUMBIANA -- A business that arranges sales on the Internet will have an opening ceremony at 9 a.m. Friday at 112 S. Main St.
YourOnLineAuctionPlace.com will take items or pick them up. It will take photos of the item, write a description, list them on eBay, take questions from potential buyers, process the payment and ship the item.
Pa. resident indicted
CLEVELAND -- A federal grand jury has indicted a Sharon, Pa., resident on a drug charge. Shawn Finnimore, 30, of Stambaugh Avenue, is accused of attempting to possess with intent to distribute about 1.1 pounds of cocaine between June 28 and Aug. 2, a U.S. attorney said. The case was investigated by the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration and is being prosecuted by Linda H. Barr, an assistant U.S. attorney based in Youngstown.
Man receives sentence
NEW CASTLE, Pa. -- A man accused in a hit-and-run accident nearly two years ago was sentenced to 90 days house arrest followed by 21 months' probation. Robert Bartoshek, 46, of Harlansburg Road was sentenced Wednesday by Judge J. Craig Cox of Lawrence County Common Pleas Court.
Bartoshek's attorney, George Freed, said his client also will pay a $1,000 fine and court costs. Police said Bartoshek hit pedestrian Louise A. Stone, 82, on Nov. 21, 2002, on Croton Avenue at Vine Street. Bartoshek initially left the scene of the crash, but later turned himself into police.
Freed said his client cooperated fully with police during the investigation. He is expected to start serving his sentence sometime in the next few weeks after a house arrest monitor is secured, Freed said.
Chicken pie dinner
JACKSON CENTER, Pa. -- Vincent United Methodist Church at 20 Walnut St. will have a chicken pie dinner beginning at noon Sunday. The cost is $7 for adults and $3.50 for children 10 and under. Individual pies can be ordered for $8. Proceeds will go to the church's new building fund. To reserve dinners, call (724) 662-4968.
War crimes discussion
YOUNGSTOWN -- Staughton Lynd, author of "Lucasville: The Untold Story of a Prison Uprising," will lead a discussion about war crimes at 4 p.m. Sunday at First Presbyterian Church of Youngstown (corner of Wick Avenue and Wood Street). Sponsored by the Valley Coalition for Peace & amp; Justice, the discussion will focus on defining war crimes and what can be done about them.