Lawrence to borrow $2.5M as stopgap

Lawrence to borrow
$2.5M as stopgap

NEW CASTLE, Pa. — Lawrence County commissioners will borrow $2.5 million to get through the first few months of 2008. Commissioners met last week to consider three proposals from area banks. Commissioners said ESB of Ellwood City offered the best loan deal for the 2008 tax anticipation note. The loan will have an interest rate of 3.65 percent and can be repaid at any time, said Jim Gagliano, county administrator. The county received two other loan proposals, from PNC Bank and Citizens Bank. Gagliano said the other two offers had higher interest rates. The county annually takes out a loan to pay expenses until tax dollars start coming in after March.

Injured in collision

HERMITAGE, Pa. — One person was taken by helicopter from a four-vehicle collision about 5:40 p.m. Saturday on Pa. Route 18. That individual was reported to be in serious condition, according to 911 dispatchers.

Four new citizens

YOUNGSTOWN — Four people became U.S. citizens in a ceremony last week with Judge John M. Durkin of Mahoning County Common Pleas Court presiding. Their names, hometowns and countries of origin are: Zacresima Magsayo Tumanda, Austintown, Philippines; Arnel Ochoa Cubarrubia, Boardman, Philippines; Asma Yousef Hamdan, Youngstown, Palestine; Maria Ester Ziegler, Poland, Ohio, Dominican Republic.

Grant for insulation

NEW CASTLE, Pa. — The Human Services Center received a $7,000 grant from the Penelec Sustainable Energy Fund of the Community Foundation for the Alleghenies. The grant will be used to buy and install cotton batt insulation at its Caritas facility. The cotton batt insulation is a green product that is made from recycled denim clothing. It has similar insulating qualities as fiberglass but does not require that the contractor take precautionary measures during installation, said Roger Smith, HSC director of community services.

Two named to boards

NEW CASTLE, Pa. — City council has named William F. Schafer to the New Castle Health Board. His term will expire April 30, 2012. Schafer is replacing the Rev. Richard Salley, who resigned recently after nearly 20 years of service. Donald Nicolls has been reappointed to the New Castle Library Board. His term expires Dec. 31, 2010.

Wish Tree at dog park

HERMITAGE, Pa. — Animal Appeal, a pet education and rescue organization, is participating in the Wish Tree display at Hillcrest Dog Park through Dec. 22. The decorated tree has a display of some of the group’s dogs and cats needing adoptive homes, list of supplies needed for care and gifts for pets. The dog park is at 2619 E. State St.

School board officers

NEW CASTLE, Pa. — The city school board selected new officers at its recent reorganization meeting. Donna Donati and Philip Conti will serve as president and vice president, respectively. At that meeting, solicitor Charles Sapienza installed members Barbara Razzano, Mary Ann Tofel, Mark Kirkwood, Fred Mozzocio and Karen Humphrey. Razzano and Tofel are new to the board.