The Herald, Sharon, Pa.

Local News

July 10, 2009

News briefs from July 11, 2009

Condition improves for man injured in blast

HERMITAGE — The condition of a Hermitage man who was injured by an explosion in his house while he made a firework has improved to serious, said a hospital spokeswoman for UPMC Mercy, Pittsburgh.

Vincent Fustos, 45, of 4835 Anne Lane, Fustos was in his basement at about 10:30 p.m. Saturday when the explosion occurred, police said.

Fustos lost his left arm and part of his right hand in the blast, police said.

Penn State trustees OK tuition hike scenarios

NEW KENSINGTON, Pa. — Penn State’s trustees approved two plans to raise tuition Friday, and the final state budget will determine which hike students will have to pay.

The worst-case plan would raise the base tuition of $13,014 by nearly 10 percent for lower-level, in-state, main campus students if the school’s $338.4 million appropriation is cut by $61 million in the state budget. Students will pay 4.5 percent more if a March budget proposal passes, cutting state funding by just $20.3 million and offsetting that with federal stimulus funds.

The lower increase also requires state budget approval by July 17, when the school sends out fall tuition bills. Otherwise, the higher increase takes effect but could be rolled back for the spring semester if Penn State eventually gets the higher level of state funding.

Program collecting cell phones for soldiers

SHENANGO VALLEY — Cell Phones for Soldiers and Hicks Office Plus are collecting unused cell phones for the more than 150,000 troops serving overseas.

The program hopes to collect 50,000 cell phones this year. Phones can be donated at 1920 E. State St., Hermitage; and 114 S. Center St., Grove City.

Phones also can be collected in offices and given to the local delivery drivers or call 800-544-4257.

Local and wire reports

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Local News
  • Labor Dept.: Franchise’s workers not paid properly

    The owners of the Brookfield Subway restaurant have been paying their employees less than minimum wage, shorting them on overtime pay and violating child labor laws for two years, a federal lawsuit alleges.

    February 7, 2012

  • Insecurity: Firm loses more local clients

    Reynolds Area School District is scrambling to find people to work security at upcoming games after finding out the Pittsburgh-area security firm they were using had some guards who were convicted felons or sex offenders.
    “That was a shock, believe me,” said school board President John Lowry.

    February 7, 2012

  • School budget predictions improve

    The upshot to planning for a worst-case scenario is it makes any change an improvement.
    Such is the case with Farrell Area School District’s finances, business manager William Dungee told school board members Monday.

    February 7, 2012

  • Chief gripe: Cramped quarters

    In Sharpsville, the long arm of the law needs room to stretch out.
    Police Chief Keith Falasco told council members Monday night that his department’s current space “is at the least inadequate,” and after off-and-on talks over the years to make improvements, he said the time has come.

    February 7, 2012

  • Pets perish in house fire

    A Sharon family’s home was heavily damaged in a Saturday night fire that killed their pets.

    February 6, 2012

  • Kelly rallies GOP faithful

    Mercer County Republicans agreed it was time for a change from the current administration at their annual Lincoln Day dinner Saturday night at Hempfield Station One Banquet Center, and Congressman Mike Kelly called not only for change but for more accountability.

    February 6, 2012

  • Mother leads charge for son’s autism therapy


    Gov. Tom Corbett’s budget cuts are preventing children with autism from getting the help they need.

    February 5, 2012

  • Victim describes armed robbery at her home

    Charges were held to court Friday against a Sharon teen charged as an adult in an October armed robbery.

    February 4, 2012

  • Overheated motor starts small fire at gas well

    Jamestown volunteer firefighters put out an accidental natural gas well equipment fire Friday morning in Greene Township that started when a pump motor overheated.

    February 4, 2012

  • Burglary was man’s solution to money woes

    The end of 2010 was “a crazy time in my life,” Grant T. Lockhart told a judge Thursday.

    February 4, 2012