Officials make pick for housing board

NEW CASTLE, Pa. -- Ellwood City Police Chief Bill Betz is expected to be the next member of the Lawrence County Housing Authority.
Lawrence County commissioners announced Betz as their choice to fill an open term beginning Jan. 1. They plan to formally vote on it Tuesday.
New Castle Fire Chief Jeff Scrim's term on the housing board is expiring at the end of the year. Scrim and 22 others applied for the board post, which is an unpaid position.
Commissioners said they felt it was time for a change and wanted someone from the southern end of the county, which has two public housing complexes. Commissioner Dan Vogler said they plan to keep the list of those interested on file because two board members, Gary Felasco and Donald Conti, are now facing criminal charges and may eventually be removed from the board.
Felasco, who is county treasurer, has been charged with embezzlement and theft.
Conti is charged with illegal gambling devices and unlawful acts relative to liquor, alcohol and liquor and liquor licenses involving a private club that he and others operated. The club, Vita Nuova Club on East Washington Street, has been closed.