2 motorcyclists hurt Tuesday in crashes

MERCER COUNTY — Two motorcyclists were injured in separate crashes Tuesday, one with severe chest trauma and the other with a compound leg fracture, Southwest Mercer County Regional police said.

Spiros Countouris, 40, of 3168 Bethel-New Wilmington Road, Shenango Township, was speeding on a motorcycle on state Route 318 just after 3 p.m. when he ran into the loader bucket on the front of a tractor that was crossing the road, police said.

Steve Lefes, 80, of 162 Hermitage Hills Blvd., Hermitage, was driving the tractor and stopped it but Countouris wasn’t able to avoid clipping the loader with his left leg, police said.

Countouris was taken to St. Elizabeth Health System, Youngstown, with a broken leg, police said. Lefes wasn’t injured, police said.

At 10:07 p.m. a motorcycle driven by James Davis, 28, of 9 Lauren Lane, West Middlesex, was hit by a car driven by Larry Maola, 53, New Castle, on Sharon-New Castle Road in Farrell, police said.

Maola turned in front of Davis’ oncoming motorcycle, police said. Davis suffered severe chest injuries and was flown from UPMC Horizon, Farrell, to St. Elizabeth’s. Maola wasn’t hurt, police said.

Both motorcyclists are in guarded condition at St. Elizabeth’s, according to a hospital spokeswoman.

Rash of thefts from parked cars reported

GREENVILLE — Greenville-West Salem Township police are investigating about 30 reports of items stolen from parked vehicles over the past week.

Most of the vehicles were unlocked and stolen items include money, CDs, wallets and anything else that’s easy for a burglar to grab quickly, police said.

A pickup was stolen from a Davis Street, Greenville, home, after the owner left the keys in the ignition. The truck was recovered and police are still looking for a suspect.

Police are trying to determine if the burglaries are connected and remind people to lock their vehicles and remove valuables and keys.

Teamsters approve new contract with COG

MERCER COUNTY — Bus drivers, washers and mechanics who work for Mercer County Regional Council of Governments approved a contract offer Monday, said Doug Robbins, union representative of Teamsters Local 261.

“It was a good ratification meeting,” Robbins said in a telephone message. “The members understood what’s going on in the world and approved it.”

The COG board will vote on the contract at 6 p.m. July 16 at the COG Office on Highland Road in Hermitage, said Kim DiCintio, COG office manager.

The previous three-year pact with workers for Shenango Valley Shuttle Service and Mercer County Regional Council of Governments expired June 30.

“A lot of give on both sides, but we got a contract,” Robbins said.

Judge says Black not due sentence reduction

SHENANGO VALLEY — A former Shenango Valley man serving a federal prison term for a drug crime asked for an early release, but a judge said he does not deserve any more breaks.

Travis W. Black, 23, formerly of Farrell and Brookfield, pleaded guilty in October to conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute 5 grams or more of crack cocaine for selling a half-ounce of crack for $550 to a police informant on Oct. 1, 2007, in Farrell.

Although the charge comes with a 5-year mandatory minimum, Black was able to be sentenced to less because he had little or no criminal history, he did not use a weapon or threat of violence, and met other criteria of the so-called “safety valve” provision.

U.S. District Judge Gustave Diamond went under the advisory sentencing guidelines range to 30 to 37 months in prison, and sentenced Black Jan. 7 to 20 months.

In a motion filed without a lawyer, Black said he is due an additional sentencing reduction because he provided more information to prosecutors than he was required to qualify for the safety valve.

Diamond responded that he has no authority to further reduce Black’s sentence, but noted that Black’s sentence came in 10 months under sentencing guidelines.

“Any further reduction in defendant’s sentence clearly would not be appropriate,” Diamond said.

Black is imprisoned in Hazelton, W.Va., and is due to be released March 14, according to the U.S. Bureau of Prisons.

Supervisor repays cost of insurance coverage

SUGAR GROVE TOWNSHIP -- A Sugar Grove Township supervisor has reimbursed the township for over $5,000 in health insurance coverage given to his reportedly common-law wife.

Township officials conducted an internal investigation to determine whether Ruth Ann Carlson was eligible to be covered under Richard A. Carkin’s insurance, which was previously paid for by the township.

The issue was recently resolved when Carkin voluntarily paid the township $5,403 from all of Ms. Carlson’s insurance premiums and interest, according to a copy of the minutes from the supervisors’ meeting on Monday.

A message left at Carkin and Ms. Carlson’s home Tuesday wasn’t returned.

The minutes also say Carkin did not admit any fault or wrongdoing. Carkin didn’t comment on the insurance during the meeting, Nanci Gearhart, township secretary, said Tuesday.

Board Chairman Michael A. Murcko and Mrs. Gearhart wouldn’t comment Tuesday on the relationship between Carkin and Ms. Carlson, referring all questions to Carkin.