The Tri-County Report for July 2nd, 2009...
Authorities in Mercer County have yet to release his name but they say a man had to be flown to Saint Elizabeth's after an accident on an all-terrain vehicle. Police say three other ATV riders called 9-1-1 after finding the man in a wooded area near the Shenango River Lake. Officials say they aren't sure how long the man was lying there hurt. A Saint E's spokesperson says the man is in satisfactory condition.
Customer of the Reynolds Water Company in Mercer County better prepare for a steep jump in rates. That is because the company is seeking permission to raise rates by more than 50-percent. The company says it needs to increase rates to comply with tough state and federal regulations. Officials say the rate hike would see the average residential customer's bill go up from around 74-dollars a month to more than 112-dollars.
Police are looking for information after two bars in Sharpsville were broken into. The burglaries happened at the Sharpsville American Legion Post and the High Street Pub and Grille. The back doors to both locations were pried open. Around 460-dollars was taken from the American Legion Post. The High Street Pub and Grille reported more than 600-dollars missing. Anyone with information on the break-ins should contact police.
Motorists traveling Route 422 near the Butler area can expect to see some construction work starting soon. That is because crews are planning to resurface a four mile stretch from Whipporwill Road in Mount Chestnut to the Duffy Road overpass in Butler Township. The project carries a one-point-four-million dollar price tag. No word on how long it will take to complete the work.
Controversy in the Beaver County borough of Midland...where a lawsuit filed by three people contends the mayor abused her authority when she asked police to evict them from a residence owned by the mayor's brother. Borough solicitor Myron Sainovich tells the Beaver County Times that Mayor Angela Adkins acted in a legal and proper manner and calls the lawsuit frivolous.
Pennsylvania law enforcement officials want to remind residents which fireworks are legal and which are not. Basically, if it explodes or flies, it's illegal in Pennsylvania. A State Trooper spokesperson warns that a lot of the fireworks being sold at temporary fireworks shops across the state are not allowed to be shot off in the state. The spokesperson notes that is legal for a non-resident to come into the state and purchase the items.
Ten state banks have stepped in to help out the thousands of commonwealth employees whose paychecks are on the line. Governor Ed Rendell and lawmakers have yet to compromise on a state budget that means their July 17th paycheck will be withheld. Banks offering assistance include Citizen's Bank of Pennsylvania, 1st Federal Credit Union and FNB Bank among others. Each institution has its own criteria for participation and eligibility for the low and no-interest loans and lines-of-credit.
Compared to last year, two-62 for a gallon of gas doesn't seem so bad. Triple A says that is the average price motorists in western Pennsylvania are paying. At this time last year prices were much higher, coming in at just over four dollars a gallon. The average price in the New Castle area currently stands at two-60 a gallon. That is the same price for motorists in the Meadville and Clarion areas.
