Native plant program

Native plant program

NEW CASTLE, Pa.

Penn State University Master Gardener volunteers will be at the Stavich Bicycle Trail open house from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday to help educate the public about native plants. The trail begins off West Washington Street in Union Township.

Diane Jerich-Domin, a master gardener volunteer, said they will be giving away plant door prizes and distributing information on native plants and related topics. The master gardeners are working on enhancing the trail with native plants and flowers. They also plan to sponsor a large hillside planting of more than 7,500 daffodils in October.

Saturday’s open house follows the refurbishing of the trail and is sponsored by the Lawrence County Cyclists Club. Free hot dogs and beverages will be available, and bicycle safety checks will be offered.

Firefighter accused

NEW CASTLE, PA.

A volunteer for the Jackson Center Volunteer Fire Department is accused of arson in four fires this month.

Christopher Michael Grant, 19, of Jackson Township, was arraigned before District Judge Neil McEwen on Thursday on charges of arson and related offenses. He is in Mercer County Jail in lieu of $40,000 bond, said Pennsylvania State Police in New Castle, who said Grant confessed setting the fires.

The fires he is accused of igniting are: a residential garage, 4:30 p.m. May 2, damage in excess of $5,000; a storage shed owned by the Jackson Center Dairy Queen, 1:45 p.m. May 10, damage in excess of $5,000; a building owned by the Mercer County E.C.H.O. Radio Team, 1:13 a.m. May 13, damage in excess of $5,000; and a trash dump, 5:45 p.m. Saturday.

Sex abuse charges

NEW CASTLE, PA.

An Enon Valley, Pa., man was arraigned Thursday on charges of sexual abuse of children, possession of child pornography and corruption of minors.

Patrick Joseph Kofalt, 54, was arrested by Pennsylvania State Police after a 6-year-old boy reported that the defendant took nude photos of him. Police obtained a warrant and searched the defendant’s residence, seizing several computers on which were found photos and videos of child pornography, including pictures of the 6-year-old boy.

Magistrate Jennifer Nicholson set bond at $10,000 for Kofalt, who is in Lawrence County Jail. His preliminary hearing is set for May 27.