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
