METRO DIGEST || Columbiana woman killed by train

Killed by train

COLUMBIANA

Courtney Dickey, 38, of Columbiana city, was killed Saturday morning when she stopped her car inside closed crossing gates on the Norfolk and Southern tracks at South Main Street and apparently made no attempt to move out of the way of the train, according to Police Chief Tim Gladis.

The westbound train hit the Chevy Blazer, which was not registered to Dickey, and dragged it about 100 feet along the track, according to 21 WFMJ-TV, The Vindicator’s broadcast partner. She was pronounced dead at the scene.

Police received reports around 5 a.m. of a vehicle stopped inside the gates. Gladis said it does not appear operation of the train was a factor in the crash. It is not known if alcohol or drugs were involved.

Candidate petitions available Feb. 8

MERCER, Pa.

Petition packets for local candidates who will be seeking the nomination of the Republican or Democratic parties in the primary election this year will be available beginning Feb. 8 in the Mercer County election office in the lower level of the courthouse.

The first day to circulate petitions is Feb. 14, and the deadline to file is March 7. Nomination papers for minor party and independent candidates will be available March 8, which is the first day to circulate. The filing deadline is Aug. 1.

A law passed by the Pennsylvania General Assembly in late 2015 now requires new candidates for tax collector or city treasurer offices to submit a criminal background check report with their petitions. Current or previous officeholders are not required to do so. For information, call 724-662-7542

College Credit info

BROOKFIELD

Brookfield Local School District will host an informative session for students in seventh through 12th grades who are interested in learning more about the College Credit Plus program. This program allows students to earn high school and college credits at the same time.

The session will take place for parents and students at 6 p.m. Thursday in the high school auditorium, 614 Bedford Road. Sharon Schroeder, Youngstown State University Metro Credit assistant director, will be available to explain the program, share information and answer questions.

State loan for $11M

NEW CASTLE, PA.

State Rep. Chris Sainato of New Castle, D-9th, announced the state-approved, low-interest $11 million loan for the New Castle Sanitation Authority. The loan was authorized by the Pennsylvania Infrastructure Investment Authority to expand the current sewage-collection system. The loan program offers a 20-year repayment, with an interest rate of 1 percent for years one through five and 1.743 percent for years six through 20.