Local News
UPDATE: For sale: District seeks worth of Seventh Street school
SHARPSVILLE — Get out your wallet or pick up your telephone: Seventh Street Elementary School is officially for sale in Sharpsville.
Sharpsville School Board members Wednesday agreed to advertise and market the four-decade-old building — with the caveat that nothing’s set in stone.
The move is being made to gather information to see if selling the former school would be in the district’s best interest, school board President David DeForest said.
“I’m really torn about this,” he said.
Others are sure to be too. Board member John Napotik is encouraging residents in the district to come forward with what they think about the issue.
“I would like to know what the public thinks,” Napotnik said.
Superintendent Mark Ferrara said the move to market the building will provide details such as if anyone’s interested and if so how much they are willing to pay for it.
The issue came up because of future maintenance concerns with the building — which dates to the 1960s — including its roof, boiler system, and general upkeep, Ferrara said. It also hasn’t been used as a school since Sharpsville Elementary opened in 2001.
It’s now used as administrative offices for the district. Mercer County Head Start, a daycare center and Midwestern Intermediate IV also lease space in the building.
“We’re just putting it out there (on the market) to see what we can get,” board member Gerard Hanley said.
Even if an interested buyer is found the building has to be sold after bids are sought and a public hearing is held, Ferrara said.
The action to market the building doesn’t commit the district to anything.
Entertaining offers will provide people with details — like a potential sales price — so they can make an informed decision, Ferrara said.
“We need to do our homework,” he said. “This will get word to the public that we’re serious in see what options there are.”
As it may become a hot-button issue, DeForest said he’d be interested in researching whether a referendum vote could be held to decide the issue, much like the one held a few years ago in the borough when voters chose not to sell the water plant.
Interested parties should call the administrative offices of the school at 724-962-7874.
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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
