Campbell house fire

Campbell house fire

CAMPBELL — A fire caused about $20,000 in damage to a vacant house at 630 Tenney Ave.

It was reported at 9:40 a.m. Saturday and was extinguished in about 30 minutes by Campbell firefighters with the assistance the Coitsville Fire Department.

The cause is under investigation and is considered suspicious, firefighters said. No injuries occurred.

Back-to-school picnic

NEW CASTLE, Pa. — The Crisis Shelter of Lawrence County is having a back-to-school family picnic Aug. 17 for all of their student clients and their families.

The day will be filled with fun activities and excitement for families who have experienced trauma and abuse.

The shelter is in need of backpacks and school supplies to be given to all students attending the picnic.

If you or your church or civic group would like to donate backpacks and/or school supplies, bring them to the shelter at 1218 W. State St., or call the shelter at (724) 652-9036.

GI Bill education event

NEW CASTLE, Pa. — Veterans are invited to learn how to use the GI Bill to further their education from 10 a.m. to noon Monday in the commissioners’ meeting room in the basement of the Lawrence County Government Center, 430 Court Street.

The meeting is sponsored by the Lawrence County Department of Veterans Affairs and U.S. Rep. Jason Altmire’s office.

Under this legislation, Pennsylvania veterans who completed more than three months of active-duty service since Sept. 11, 2001, are eligible for a maximum educational benefit of $23,846 a year, which includes $12,164 for tuition, $1,000 for books and $1,186 per month for living expenses.

Veterans who served before 9/11 can use the older Montgomery GI Bill to pay for their education.

Presenters at Monday’s meeting will include: Shirley Noga, director, Lawrence County Department of Veterans Affairs; John Galanski, staffer for a U.S. congressman; and James F. Wolfe, a Pittsburgh veterans education adviser at the Pennsylvania Department of Education.

Groundwater sampling

TRANSFER, Pa. — Contractors hired by the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection will conduct two weeks of groundwater sampling at the Greenville Industrial Development site in Pymatuning Township to determine the source and location of contaminated groundwater throughout the 75-acre area, DEP officials said.

On Monday, workers will begin collecting samples at groundwater-monitoring wells. The work should be completed Aug. 20. Workers also will take surface water and sediment samples.

For information on the Hazardous Sites Cleanup program, visit www.depweb.state.pa.us.