The Herald, Sharon, Pa.

Local News

June 19, 2009

UPDATE: News Briefs from June 20, 2009

Man who fled after rape charges caught in Ohio

JEFFERSON TOWNSHIP — A West Pittsburg man charged with the rape of a 35-year-old Jefferson Township woman was arrested Thursday in Boardman, Ohio, police said.

Michael R. Tackett, 39, was charged with rape, intimidating witnesses, aggravated indecent assault, making terroristic threats, unlawful restraint, possessing a weapon, and sexual assault for raping the woman between 8 and 8:30 p.m. June 11, police said.

Charges were filed against Tackett on Monday, and he left the area, police said.

Principal resigns to take job in another district

BROOKFIELD — Brookfield Elementary School principal Debra Gratz has resigned after 11 years with the district.

Ms. Gratz said in her resignation letter that she has taken a job as elementary principal with Girard, Ohio, schools.

She said she wants to become a superintendent and has been encouraged to expand her experience.

“I had a difficult time making this decision,” she said. “I love my Brookfield family.”

The board accepted her resignation Thursday.

Board eyes compiling list for construction jobs

BROOKFIELD — Brookfield school director Joseph Pasquerilla wants the district to compile a list of residents who work in the construction trades, and give it to the contractors building the new school.

The contractors would not be required to hire anyone from the list, but residents could have an opportunity to participate in an important community project, he said.

Other school board members said it sounded like a good idea, but wanted time to study the idea before voting on it.

“It’s very simple,” Pasquerilla responded. “There are no commitments here.”

Board member Ronald Brennan said he wanted to make sure such action is legal, although Pasquerilla assured him it is.

If board members approve the measure, they should advertise their intention and allow people to contact them, Pasquerilla said.

The board could reconsider the issue as early as June 29, when it holds a year-end meeting.

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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