The Tri-County Report for May 23rd, 2013...
Borough officials in Ellwood City have voted to install a grass volleyball court at Ewing Park. It will be placed between the park's comfort zone and Folino Stage. What type of surface the volleyball court would have was the subject of much debate as some members of council were pushing for a sand surface, saying using grass would be unsafe and would result in few people using it. The installation of the grass court will cost around 65-hundred dollars.
Three volunteer fire departments in Butler County have announced plans to merge. The departments involved in that merger are in Lyndora, Meridian and Greenwood Village. Officials say the merger will allow fire crews to improve response times and will help them reduce the duplication of equipment. Meridian Fire Chief Toby Wehr says the departments are still in the initial phase of the consolidation process but they are hoping to complete everything by the end of December.
The national "Click it or Ticket" campaign is underway through June 9th. Penn-DOT is partnering with the State Police and more than 600 municipal police departments to enforce the seatbelt law. Traffic safety checkpoints and roving patrols are part of the round-the-clock campaign but will focus mostly on nighttime driving. The agency said 503 people died last year in unbelted crashes in Pennsylvania.
A 19 year old Mercer County man accused of shooting a Farrell bar owner has been convicted on charges filed in a separate incident. Joshua Lee Stewart was convicted of two counts of robbery and a charge of making terroristic threats. Those charges were in connection with the armed robbery of a Sharon man. That robbery took place one night before Stewart allegedly killed William Basilone Junior.
Animal welfare and rescue agents have taken up to ten horses from a farm in Butler County. State police say the horses were found in poor living conditions at 150 McEvoy Road in Clearfield Township. The animals were also in need of verterinary care. They have since been examined and are now being cared for at Equine Angel's Animal Rescue in Butler. Summary charges against Helen Walter-Lewis are pending recommendation of the District Attorney's Office.
Charitable organizations across the nation are mobilizing to assist those affected by the deadly Oklahoma tornadoes. In Western Pennsylvania, volunteers from the regional Red Cross, Salvation Army, and several churches are on their way to Oklahoma. The Catholic Diocese of Pittsburgh and other church groups are collecting food, clothing and supplies for victims.
State police in Butler County have filed arson, reckless endangerment and other charges. The suspect, 48 year old Beatrice Jo Gravat of Harrisville, is accused of trying to start several fires after getting into an argument with a man. It happened at a home along County Line Road in Marion Township. Police say she set fire to the kitchen area, a mattress and a clothes backet. She was arrested and placed in the Butler County Jail.
The population of Pittsburgh is increasing, but at a very small rate. The U.S. Census Bureau is releasing municipal population numbers today that estimate the city gained 152 people in the year ending last July 1st. Pittsburgh is still the 61st largest city in the nation, with an estimated population of 306-thousand-211.
You don't have to wait until the Fourth of July or the New Castle Fireworks Festival to see fireworks. The second-annual PyroFest returns to Hartwood Acres in Hampton this weekend. New Castle's Pyrotecnico will be hosting the event, which features food, music and five fireworks displays. For more information, visit PyroFest.com.
Former Pittsburgh Police Chief Nate Harper is taking his grandchildren to an Ohio amusement park this holiday weekend. A judge granted Harper permission to temporarily leave the state. Harper is under indictment for allegedly failing to file federal income taxes and for stealing money from the department.