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PHOTOS, STORY: Local swimmers get chilly reception in Florida
Caitlin Lehberger is peppy, athletic and blond. But that’s not why people in St. Petersburg, Fla., were staring at the standout Westminster College swimmer. You could even call it a chilly reception.
STEVE TREU: Steelers inch closer to thwarting mission impossible
At the deepest level of quantum physics, scientists have suggested that it is possible to walk through brick walls. The trick is, you just have to try to walk through said wall for oh, about four billion years.
GARY CHURCH: Black-eyed peas? Good luck with that!
Don’t you hate it when you find out something you had believed in your whole life wasn’t true? I hate to burst your bubble, but all of you who ate pork and sauerkraut for New Year’s for good luck — you ate the wrong thing.
STEPPING DOWN: Neshannock Township solicitor Richard Harper resigns
Neshannock Township solicitor Richard Harper has resigned. Harper’s letter of resignation was received Tuesday at the township building. He has been the solicitor there since 1988. Ed Stevens, supervisor chairman, confirmed the resignation Wednesday.
THE COURTS: Mother of ex-district attorney sues county
The mother of the former district attorney, who worked in his office, is suing the county commissioners, claiming they denied her right to an early retirement under an incentive offered last year to all Lawrence County courthouse employees who were between 62 and 65.
SWEARING IN: City council has a new look
New Castle City Council has a new president. MaryAnne Gavrile, one of three new council members sworn into office last night, was elected by a unanimous vote.
PHOTOS, STORY: Steelers win finale, but fail to reach playoffs
Pittsburgh holds off Miami in thriller, but Baltimore's win over Oakland a few hours later sends the Steelers home to await next season.
TOP DOG: Police department’s newest K-9 reports for duty
Two alpha males compete to be the top dog. It’s been that way since New Castle police officer Terry Dolquist met his new partner, Chico. However, when it comes to drug detection and tracking bad guys, Chico is the man.
GREENSPACE: 2010 brings color trend, versatile plant and a vest
YOUR MONEY: Commissioners approve 18 percent tax hike
An 18 percent property tax increase translates into saving 75 Lawrence County government jobs. That’s how one county official explained why the commissioners must tax property owners more next year.
IN CHARGE: Shenango hires police superintendent
Bill Phillips, a 54-year-old state police retiree, is named superintendent for Shenango Township's police department.
HOMECOMING: Shenango grad returns after two years in Senegal
After serving 26 months in the Peace Corps in West Africa, 2003 Shenango High School graduate Jennifer Newton returns home.
IN COURT: Former Shenango chief suing township
Shenango’s former police chief has filed suit against the township. David Tresky — who was hired in the spring of 2008 — was fired by the same township supervisors about six months later.
IN COURT: Prosecution change may not delay boy’s case
Handing over prosecution of the Jordan Brown case to the Pennsylvania attorney general’s office will not necessarily delay proceedings.
PHOTOS, STORY: Adoptive family finds another sister
Thoughts of family abound at Christmas. Abby Schaubroeck is no exception. However, the New Castle Christian Academy third-grader has a little more to think about this year.
PHOTOS, STORY: Store, youth group help replace stolen gifts
Earlier this month, someone took more than $200 worth of gifts meant for needy children from St. Camillus Church in Neshannock Township. But some Santa heroes helped to save the day.
PHOTOS, STORY: Furry friends get help for the holidays
It’s tough out there these days. The job market is bad, and taxes and bills seem to be going up while checkbooks get smaller. And that’s just for the humans. Another aspect of tough times is the fate of family pets and stray animals that people take in.
STEVE TREU: No coaching, no defense ... but Big Ben saves the day
In the early evening of a cold December day at Heinz Field, the Pittsburgh Steelers claimed the only version of the Lombardi Trophy that they are going to earn in the 2009 campaign.
GARY CHURCH: Don’t be a weenie — buy these gifts
A holiday event I enjoy is the worship arts open house at Pastor Scott Frederick’s home. This year, as usual, there were tons of yummy desserts and hors d’oeurves.
HOLIDAY HAPPENINGS: What’s going on in the community?
Find out what festivities, events and drives are going on in Lawrence County as the community prepares for its annual Christmas season celebrations.
IT’S DOWN: Crew demolishes building, Croton Avenue reopens
The building that once housed the Sankey Youth Center on Croton Avenue has been reduced to a pile of rubble. A crew worked through the weekend to take down the structure.
PHOTOS, STORY: Candy Man has pull when it comes to sweet treat
Amos Campbell dishes out sweet talk. But he also delivers the goods. For all practical purposes, make that goodies. The Keenagers of First Assembly of God Church welcomed what Campbell offered — taffy.
NAMES IN THE GAMES: Catching up with local athletes competing in college
Each week, sports writer Ron Poniewasz Jr. catches up with former Lawrence County high school athletes to see how they are doing while competing in college.
PHOTOS, STORY: Building collapses during rain, wind storm
Even from outer space, the vacant Croton Avenue building that collapsed Wednesday was an eyesore — a danger, too. That’s why Ron Klish, production manager for the R.E. Whittaker Co., wanted something done about it.
2010 BUDGET: Commissioners to hike taxes in new plan
When the commissioners unveil the 2010 Lawrence County budget, it will include a tax increase. That could mean anywhere from an additional half to a whole mill, according to James Gagliano, county administrator.
COUNTY CLIPS: Get the low-down on neighbors, friends
Who's earning a scholarship? Where is the next charity concert taking place? Each week, find out what's happening in the community.
WHO’S DOING WHAT: Meet the county's movers and shakers
Whether it's excelling in the classroom or in the board room, The News tracks the successes of local residents as they move onward and upward in their careers.
‘WONDERFUL NIGHT”: Shenango girl helps launch dinner theater
Holiday trivia: What do Bing Crosby, Fred Astaire and Shenango seventh-grader Carly Danielson have in common? Answer: The movie “Holiday Inn.” Crosby and Astaire starred in the 1942 film.
THE COURTS: ‘Poncho’ Exposito enters ARD program
Mahoning Township Supervisor Francis “Poncho” Exposito, charged with misuse of credit cards, has entered the accelerated rehabilitative disposition program.

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