Local News
$750,000 state grant comes through for Casino project
HERMITAGE — Buhl Farm’s Casino has hit the jackpot for a major renovation.
Two state grants totaling $750,000 were bestowed Monday for the $3 million renovation of the 1915 building.
An icon of the park, the stately Casino in recent years has fallen into disrepair and was long overdue for an overhaul.
Community leaders gathered Monday morning on the Casino’s front porch to learn about the renovation and receive the grant from state Sen. Bob Robbins, R-50th District, Salem Township, and state Rep. Mark Longietti, D-7th District, Hermitage, who called Buhl Farm “one of our most treasured assets in the community.’’
Built for slightly more than $45,000, the Casino has hosted dances, concerts, plays and a variety of recreational activities. But the two-story building has seen its usage decline due to deterioration and escalating utility costs.
“This is going to be a big project,’’ said Jim Feeney, president of the F.H. Buhl Trustees, which oversees the park in Hermitage.
A major change is that locker rooms built in the 1940s as an addition to the Casino will be removed. New locker rooms were recently added at the adjacent pool area so the old lockers are no longer needed.
“When the old locker rooms are removed, we’ll wrap the porch around the Casino so it will look like it did originally,’’ said Greer Hayden, an architect for HHSDR Architects/Engineers of Sharon, which is overseeing the renovation.
Another major improvement is that an elevator will be installed to make the second-story ballroom accessible to the handicapped.
Other upgrades include: new heating and air conditioning, new windows and a facelift of the porch and its Greek-style columns. Renovations will transform the building while keeping its early 20th century look intact.
“We will still keep the architectural integrity of the building,’’ Hayden said.
One interior design change will occur on the first floor which will house an office for the park manager, ranger, a conference center and new restrooms.
Construction is scheduled to begin in March and is expected to be completed in about a year. A $294,000 federal grant was previously committed to the project. Remaining costs will come from the F.H. Buhl Trustees which previously completed a $5.1 million capital fundraiser.
“That’s what the state liked about the project,’’ Feeney said. “We had the community money up front to leverage the grant money.’’
State grant funds came from the Growing Greener II and Housing and Redevelopment Assistance programs.
Another $500,000 in state funds were earmarked Monday for the city of Hermitage to improve the North Buhl Farm Drive corridor between East State Street and the park. Improvements, which are covered under the state’s Elm Street initiative, will include handicap accessible sidewalks and curbs with the possibility of a trail, said Gary Hinkson, Hermitage city manager.
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League sets debate date; Dahlkemper ad questioned
Local political junkies, mark your calendars.
Third District Congressional rivals Kathy Dahlkemper and Mike Kelly will face off at a League of Woman Voters of Mercer County forum from 7 to 9 p.m. on Oct. 26 at the Sharon City Building.
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Are you going to Stoneboro Fair?
“I want some fries, straight off the bat,” a teen said as she strolled amid a seemingly endless stream of people running from the parking lot to the midway Saturday at the Stoneboro Fairgrounds.
The aroma of scrumptious fair food wafted through the fairgrounds on a cool afternoon that felt more like autumn than the waning days of summer.
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Court backs warrantless search that turned up gun
Superior Court issued a ruling recently that the Mercer County District Attorney believes will enhance the safety of policemen and women.
The court ruled Aug. 26 in a Mercer County Juvenile Court case that stemmed from an arrest made by Southwest Mercer County Regional police. -
Hood surfer back home, recovering
Natalie Huff, the 17-year-old girl critically hurt in a hood-surfing accident, made it home Friday for the first time since she was run over by a friend’s car last month.
David Huff, Natalie’s father, said she was in excellent spirits.
“She just wants to come home,” he said. “She wants out of the hospital. She’s doing really well.”
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Kelly: Jobs are the key to restoring economy
When businesses are healthy, they hire people, and everyone wins, according to Congressional candidate Mike Kelly
The Republican challenger announced his “Pathways to Prosperity” job plan Friday in time for Labor Day weekend at JFS Wealth Advisors in Hermitage. He also made stops in Butler, Crawford, and Erie counties.
Kelly, who faces U.S. Rep. Kathy Dahlkemper, Erie, D-3rd District in November, said he’s been up and down the county and hears about two concerns: jobs and the economy.
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Couple restoring a local landmark
The gardens were renowned and the house was a resting stop for future presidents.
Now, Dan Briceland and his wife Kristin are restoring the structure at 379 state Route 7 in Brookfield to its original glory.
Built in 1816 by Navy Capt. James Christy, the dilapidated house went up for sale this spring. The Bricelands, who have always wanted to restore an historic house, put in a bid and won.
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Cleanup planned for 2nd city neighborhood
The Irvine Avenue cleanup in Sharon was so successful that similar efforts are being planned for another part of the city.
The Sharon Beautification Commission is organizing a cleanup for 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Oct. 2 for Meek Street and several surroundings streets, Sharon City Manager Tom Lavorini told council Thursday.
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Lock up vehicles, police urge
Residents should be alert for suspicious activity and keep their cars and homes locked in the wake of a recent rash of thefts from cars — some of which were left unlocked, Southwest Mercer County Regional Police Chief Riley Smoot said.
The most recent thefts were reported Wednesday in the Dogwood Lane, Oak Hill Drive and Kiwanis Road area of West Middlesex.
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Blue Streak thrills again
“It was great. What else can I say?” Dave Hahner said Thursday, just moments after taking his second ride on the Blue Streak.
That’s right. For the first time since 2006, Conneaut Lake Park’s historic roller coaster is back up and running. Once again ready, as Jack Moyers, chairman of the board of trustees of Conneaut Lake Park, put it, “to bring thrills and chills to children of all ages.”
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3 Ohio men in county jail accused of Walmart theft ring
Three Ohio men are in Mercer County Jail for allegedly running a theft ring that stole video games and systems from Walmart stores and then sold them for cash.
Thomas “Tommy” Hamilton, 42, of Ashtabula; Alex Plitt, 34, of Jefferson; and Christopher Patton, 25, address unknown, were caught Aug. 25 after hitting up Walmart stores in Ohio and Pennsylvania for at least several months, Hempfield Township patrolman Daniel McCloskey said Wednesday.
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League sets debate date; Dahlkemper ad questioned
