NEW CASTLE —
The Lawrence County Government Center is keeping on track with its savings on utilities, according to a Johnson Controls spokesman.
Robert Aha Tuesday presented a third-year report to the commissioners on the progress in savings since the county retrofitted the government center buildings to save on the bills.
The company provided $2,237,328 in infrastructure upgrades to county facilities in lighting, building management systems, a solar array, new boilers, chillers and heat pumps.
In other business Tuesday, the commissioners:
•Approved a contract with Comcast to provide phone service for office-related phones at the county 911 center. Brian Melcer, Lawrence County public safety director, said the switch from Verizon will save the county $1,300 to $1,400 per month. The 911 still will be owned by Verizon, Melcer said.
•Appointed members to a public participation panel for transportation under the Southwestern Pennsylvania Commission. They are Gayle Young, Karolee Loughhead, Terri Stramba, Guy Aromatorio, Everett Bleakney, Kevin Bowser, Diane DeCarbo, Angela Elias, Debby Hennon, Jim Hill, Helen Jackson, Robert McCracken, Linda Nitch, Kim Parrot, Edward Scala, Rebecca Shaner, Charlotte Sheffield, Ross Taylor, Dom Viccari and Larry Wagner.
•Granted $40,000 and $63,261 to North Beaver Township from county Marcellus Shale-derived bridge funds, for the replacement of Wampum Road bridges 1 and 2. Bridge 1 is over Jenkins Run and is near Halltown Road and Old Route 18. Bridge 2 is over Hickory Creek near Willow Grove. That project already is under way. The fund has about $26,000 remaining from the 2012 allocation, and more funding is expected next year, the commissioners said.
Closer Look
County gets utilities report
- Closer Look
-
-
Photo Gallery: Some powerful and heartbreaking images from tornado aftermath
Oklahoma City-based AP photographer Sue Ogrocki was at the Plaza Towers Elementary School, which was destroyed, and saw rescuers pulling children out of the rubble. This is her account of what she witnessed, including some of her most powerful — and heartbreaking — images.
-
Photo Gallery, Story: Laurel senior county’s new dairy princess
The two candidates cross their fingers and the crowd goes silent, awaiting the verdict. And the 2013-2014 Lawrence County Dairy Princess is — Rhonda Mitcheltree!
-
In The Schools: Keystone Exam could up graduation stakes
The typical Pennsylvania student will spend more than 46 hours taking standardized state tests during his or her academic career. That equals more than a week’s worth of school and does not take into account the amount of time that schools spend specifically preparing for tests or helping students who have failed standardized tests.
-
Are We Ready? Funds from all levels help prepare for disaster
Local fire and police departments and ambulances services spend countless hours training to prepare for manmade or natural disasters. This all breaks down to money for equipment, man hours and training costs.
-
John K. Manna: Data shows decline in number of primary voters
Voter participation isn’t what it used to be. That’s nothing new, but there has been a significant drop in voting here in Lawrence County. And it’s happened suddenly, particularly in the so-called “off-year” elections.
-
Primary 2013: School board candidate tops campaign spending
Historically, spending by school board candidates has paled in comparison to those running for other local offices. But not this year, at least with one candidate — George J. Gabriel.
-
On the Record: A listing of today’s police items and district judge reports
On the Record is a periodic update of public information coming out of the Lawrence County Government Center and local police departments. Look inside for the latest listing of police items and district judge reports.
-
Lawmakers looking at special education funding
The state hands out special education dollars under a flawed formula that gives schools the same amount of money, regardless of how many students need services or how intense and costly those services are, lawmakers said.
-
Our Opinion: We endorse candidates for New Castle board
The New Castle school district is often a study in contrasts. There are complaints about the district on everything from taxes to nepotism, from test scores to ethical slights. Yet at the same time, plenty of students within the district excel. It’s a tribute to the hard work of those students, their families and the educators who support them.
-
Our Opinion: You should be frightened, outraged by IRS abuse of power
When people talk about government posing a threat to citizens, a common topic these days is unmanned drones. But a more credible threat may be the Internal Revenue Service. This agency, responsible for collecting taxes and enforcing related rules, has the ability to make life miserable for the average individual.
- More Closer Look Headlines
-
