New Castle News

Local News

Discussion

November 17, 2009

Courts to stay open during holiday weeks

Although the Lawrence County Government Center will close during two upcoming holiday weeks, court will be in session.

Common Pleas President Judge Dominick Motto in a memo outlined steps to ensure smooth operation of the courts during the two furlough weeks during Thanksgiving and Christmas holidays.

The commissioners during the state budget impasse decided all courthouse offices except for the courts would close and most employees furloughed, the weeks of Nov. 23 through 27 and Dec. 21 through 25, to make up for a deficit caused by state budget cuts and delays in state reimbursements for county-run programs.

The courts will operate out of the Central Court building during the two holiday weeks.

Motto said he will preside there on Monday and Tuesday during Thanksgiving week, and Judge Thomas M. Piccione will take over on Wednesday. The courts normally would be closed Thursday and Friday of Thanksgiving week.

Judges J. Craig Cox and John W. Hodge had previously scheduled vacations then.

In December, one judge is to be scheduled each day, Monday through Wednesday, Motto said.

During the two furlough weeks, Central Court also will be staffed by six court personnel , including Central Court administrator Peggy Tarnaski, a clerical staff member from the office of each of the four judges, and a representative of the prothonotary and clerk of courts office, who will process emergency paperwork and accept legal documents that have time limits.

�No one will have anything previously scheduled on those two weeks,� Motto said.

The judge and staff will accept emergency petitions, motions and other legal proceedings including protection from abuse petitions, emergency juvenile petitions and proceedings, cancellations of bench warrants, petitions for emergency relief including requests for injunctions and other matters that cannot be deferred.

Motion court will not be scheduled while the courthouse is closed, but the court will consider emergency motions that are scheduled through the court staff.

Sheriff Perry Quahliero will maintain office hours through those weeks to direct people with court matters to central court.

A sheriff�s deputy also will be available, if needed, to transport prisoners to and from the jail.

Court staff members may be reached those weeks by calling Central Court at (724) 656-2290.

Text Only | Photo Reprints
Local News
  • Corvi.jpg News, Herald to launch Business Chronicle

    You will find in Monday’s edition of the New Castle News a magazine called the Mercer-Lawrence County Business Chronicle.
    The News is joining forces with our sister paper, The  Herald in Sharon, which has been producing the Business Chronicle in Mercer County for six years.

    May 26, 2012 1 Photo

  • DYM.jpg Meet the 2013 contestants for Lawrence County Distinguished Young Women

    The 2013 Distinguished Young Women Program will take place at 7 p.m. Saturday in Westminster College’s Orr Auditorium. Tickets will be available at the door. Here's your chance to meet all of this year's contestants.
     

    May 25, 2012 1 Photo

  • City Council Briefs: Firm to provide city hall security

    New Castle City Council approved an agreement last night with a Butler firm to provide armed security at city hall. Security Service’s fee is $16 per hour under a seven-month agreement, which will run through the end of this year.

    May 25, 2012

  • Offices to be closed Memorial Day

    Local government offices and other agencies will be closed Monday in observance of Memorial Day. They include:

    May 25, 2012

  • McDonald.jpg Ellwood City’s fire chief resigns

    A 9-year-old boy with spinal meningitis opened his eyes when he heard a fire siren. As longtime colleague Don Ries tells it, the siren was calling Ellwood City volunteers to a shed fire at the B&O Railroad freight station.

    May 24, 2012 1 Photo

  • gavel.jpg Council considers board compromise

    New Castle City Council talked of possible compromise Tuesday night regarding the status of the city’s Historical Architectural Review Board.

    May 24, 2012 1 Photo

  • Neshannock to pave streets this summer

    The Neshannock Township supervisors will spend $208,226 to pave roads this summer. The supervisors last night selected Youngblood Paving of Wampum for the project as the lowest of four bidders. Greg DelPrincipe of RAR Engineering opened and tallied the bids.

    May 24, 2012

  • Custer.jpg Pastor attains master chaplain status

    The Rev. Tod Custer has attained a master chaplain certificate from the International Conference Police Chaplains. Ellwood City Mayor Anthony J. Court recently recognized Custer, an Ellwood City police chaplain, for his achievement.
    Custer will receive his certification in Spokane, Wash.

    May 23, 2012 1 Photo

  • Improvements set for Little Beaver bridge

    Improvements to a bridge that carries Huston Road over Little Beaver Creek in Little Beaver Township are to begin Tuesday. Huston Road will be closed between Route 351 and Scott Wallace Road beginning at 7 a.m. The road will be closed through late August.

    May 23, 2012

  • Mahoning gets sewer tap-in grant

     The Mahoning Township supervisors have received a $500,000 block grant to help residents tap into the new sewer system. Supervisor Vito Yeropoli, who is also sanitation plant secretary/manager, said the township was notified of the grant Monday.

    May 23, 2012