Local News
UPDATE: City’s OK of right-of-way deal sought
HERMITAGE — Three property owners are asking Hermitage officials to approve a subdivision to clear up a dispute concerning access to a landlocked parcel on Clarksville Road.
The Roman Catholic Diocese of Erie/Our Lady of Fatima Church, Farrell, owns an 8.6-acre, triangular parcel that is landlocked save for a right-of-way that reaches Clarksville. The vacant property was created in a 1959 Hickory Heights subdivision, with the intention of building a public street to Clarksville, but the street was never built, said Marcia A. Hirschmann, city director of planning and development.
Under applicable law, public rights-of-way that are never turned over to the city become the property of neighboring property owners after 21 years.
The diocese wants to sell its property, but has not given up its claim to the right-of-way, said Edward Winslow, engineer with Winslow Engineering, Hermitage. Winslow represents the diocese.
Meanwhile, the adjoining property owners, Kenneth C. and Laura L. Miller, 1005 Clarksville, and Marian H. Laird, 985 Clarksville Road, have claimed the property citing the 21-year rule, and have maintained it, he said.
The parties worked out an agreement that would allow the diocese to own the right-of-way property, while adding about nine-tenths of an acre of property to each of the rears of the Miller and Laird properties.
“We had a situation with three unhappy people,” Winslow said. “Now, we’ve resolved it.”
Aside from asking city officials to approve the subdivision, the parties also are seeking a waiver — similar to a zoning variance — to allow the right-of-way to be 44 feet wide instead of the required 50 feet wide.
Winslow noted there are drainage ditches on each side of the right-of-way that are 44 feet apart.
Mrs. Hirschmann said that, while the requirement is for 50-foot rights-of-way, there are many 33-foot-wide streets stemming from an earlier city requirement, and there likely would be enough room within 44 feet to build a suitable public street.
Hermitage Planning Commission Chairman Charles E. Rogers noted that it appears any street built along with the right away would curve into the land that would be added to the Miller property.
Winslow agreed, but asked that the plan as proposed be approved.
Mrs. Hirschmann said any development of the property beyond a single-family home would require the property owner to seek a new subdivision with plans for a roadway.
Winslow said he believes the property buyer intends to keep the right-of-way a single-family driveway.
The commission recommended approval of the subdivision and the waiver. City commissioners likely will consider them later in the month.
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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
