Local briefs
Applications sought Applications for 2003-04 Rotary Foundation Ambassadorial Scholarships are now available from District 7330, which includes Fayette, Greene and Washington counties.
The scholarships, designed to further international understanding and goodwill, provide for study abroad in more than 160 countries where Rotary clubs are located. Some 1,300 scholarships of various types will be available from clubs worldwide.
During studies abroad, Rotary Foundation Ambassadorial Scholars act as “ambassadors of goodwill.” Through appearances before Rotary club and districts, schools, civic organizations, and other forums, the scholars represent their homelands and work to further international understanding.
Available are two three month Cultural Ambassadorial Scholarships which provide funding for three months of intensive language study and cultural immersion in another country, including transportation, tuition and home-stay expenses, up to a maximum of $12,000.
Also, applications are being accepted for a Rotary World Peace Scholarship. World Peace Scholars will study for a two-year master’s-level degree programs in conflict resolution, peace studies and international relations at the Rotary Centers. Scholars are assigned to one of seven Rotary Centers. The center assigned will be out of the Scholars home country.
For more information and an application, please contact Karen Cross, scholarship chairperson at 724-743-0292 or by e-mail karencross@spherion.com. Application deadline for the two three-month Cultural Ambassadorial Scholarships and the Rotary World Peace Scholarship is July 1. Interested students may also want to consult the Rotary Web site at www.rotary.org, where the applications may be downloaded in English.
The Rotary Foundation Ambassadorial Scholarships program is the world’s largest privately sponsored international scholarship program. Focused on humanitarian service, personal diplomacy, and academic excellence, the program has sponsored more than 30,000 Rotary Scholars abroad since it began in 1947.
Advisory issued
Southwestern Pennsylvania Water Authority will have the water shut off on Leckrone-Highhouse Road and Desko Road in German Township on Monday from about 9 a.m. to noon while an upgrade to the system is made.
Plan available
The Albert Gallatin Area School Board has accepted the recently completed strategic plan, which will be available for the general public to review starting Monday.
The strategic plan will be available at all schools in the district and also at the administration office at 2625 Morgantown Road, Uniontown. District business hours are 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.
The interested public also can view the plan at German-Masontown, Point Marion and Smithfield libraries during their regular operating hours.
The purpose of the strategic plan is to show in detail how the school district intends to incorporate the academic standards of the state into the curriculum.
Anyone wishing to share concerns or comments about the strategic plan may call the administration office at 724-564-7189, ext. 117.
Report cards ready
Final report cards can be picked up at Brownsville Area High School on Monday from 9:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. Any report card that isn’t picked up that day will be mailed out Tuesday.
Class offered
California University of Pennsylvania is offering a weeklong class, “Terrorism on Trial: A Look at History,” this week.
The class, which includes a trip to the Somerset County crash site of Flight 93, kicks off Cal U’s hands-on Summer Educational Enrichment kids program, which will be held July 22-26 from 8:30 p.m. to 4 p.m. for grades two through nine.
For more information or to enroll a child, call Terrie Greene, lifelong learning director of special programs at 724-938-1580 or 724-938-5840.
Billboards unveiled
PennDOT has expanded the billboard campaign against drinking and driving with three new billboards featuring the pictures of local Pennsylvania State Police troopers.
Among them is trooper Fabich, who will appear on a Route 40 billboard near the Torchlight Restaurant.
For their state record number of DUI arrests (2023), Troop B, headquartered in Washington, was awarded the Top Gun Award in 2000 by the PA DUI Association. Seven individual troopers from Troop B also were given the awards.
The DUI campaign, which began in January, featured six billboards throughout District 12 (Westmoreland, Washington, Fayette, and Greene counties) with the photo of a trooper from the Harrisburg area.
Alcohol-related crashes claimed 510 victims in 2000, comprising 34 percent of all traffic fatalities (1,520). District 12’s percentage was even higher at 49 percent. Fifty-one victims out of 105 total fatalities were due to alcohol-related crashes.
Mundorff re-elected
Ramps to close
The westbound on-ramp and westbound off-ramp at the Donegal interchange in Westmoreland County will be temporarily shut down beginning Tuesday, July 9, at 12:01 a.m., according to the Pennsylvania Turnpike Commission.
The ramps will remain closed for 10 days while construction crews demolish the bridge that carries mainline turnpike traffic over the westbound entry and exit lanes. Some additional ramp work also will be performed.
As a result, westbound turnpike traffic will not be able to exit at the Donegal interchange, and traffic entering the turnpike at Donegal will not be able to go west during this closure.
The westbound ramps will reopen Friday, July 19. During the closure, eastbound traffic can still use the Donegal interchange to get on and off the turnpike.
Westbound turnpike traffic that would typically exit at Donegal should instead exit at the Somerset interchange and follow the orange detour, using Route 601 south to Route 31 west to Route 982 south to Route 119 north, entering the turnpike at New Stanton.
Commercial vehicles that wold typically enter the turnpike at Donegal and go west should follow the black detour Route 711 north to Route 30 west to Route 66 South (Amos K. Hutchinson Bypass), entering the turnpike at New Stanton.
The work is being completed as part of the total reconstruction of the turnpike between mileposts 85 and 94. The $66.8 million project involves a complete rebuilding of the roadway and improvements to the interchange. Because this work cannot be completed in rain, the closure may be rescheduled incase of inclement weather.
For up to-date information, the turnpike advises approaching motorists to tune car radios to 1640 AM when so alerted by variable message signs. In addition, real-time traffic conditions and project-specific construction information are posted on the turnpike Web site, www.paturnpike.com.
Grants available
Fayette County Community Action Agency is taking applications for loans and grants for residents of Fayette County seeking to buy, build, or repair a home.
Sponsored by the U.S. Department of Agriculture, Rural Development loans are primarily used to help individuals or families purchase or renovate homes in rural areas. Funds can be used to build, repair, renovate, or to purchase and prepare sites, including providing water and sewage facilities.
Rural Development loans may be used in any municipality in Fayette County with the exception of the City of Uniontown and portions of North and South Union townships. Since Rural Development is able to make loans to those who will not qualify for a conventional loan, the Rural Development program enables many more people to buy or repair homes than might otherwise be possible, however as with any loan program, the applicant’s credit history is considered.
The Rural Development loan to purchase or build a home (Section 502) is a low interest loan for a term of up to 33 years. Applicant’s repayment ability will be determined by income ratios and applicants may be eligible for payment assistance.
The Rural Development loan to repair a home (Section 504) may be for up to 20 years at 1 percent per anum and payment is based on the borrower’s repayment ability. In addition to loans, citizens age 62 and older, who are in need of home repairs may qualify for grants or a combined loan/grant based on the applicant’s income.
There are maximum income guidelines to qualify for either the Section 502 (Home Purchase) or Section 504 (Home Repair) loans. These guidelines are based on family size and adjustments may be made for each child under 18 years of age; or a full time student; or is disabled, elderly family, childcare costs, or medical expenses.
Income Guidelines Section 502 (Home Purchase):
Family Size (1), Annual Income Limit, $27,400; (2) $31,300; (3) $35,200; (4) $39,100; (5) $42,250; (6) $45,400; (7) $48,500; (8) $51,650.
Income Guidelines Section 504 (Home Repair):
Family Size (1), Annual Income Limit, $17,100; (2) $19,550; (3) $22,000; (4) $24,450; (5) $26,400; (6) $28,350; (7) $30,300; (8) $32,250.
Anyone who is interested in this program should contact Debbie Metts at Fayette County Community Action Agency at 724-437-6050, ext. 240.
Expansion announced
The Pressley Ridge Schools has announced the expansion of its Treatment Foster Care Services into Washington, Westmoreland, Fayette, and Greene counties.
Pressley Ridge deputy state director, Peter Slavic commented, “Right now, we have a number of children in these counties who need treatment foster families. These are kids who are in need of out-of-home placements and who have emotional and behavioral problems. We are looking for families willing to provide the structure, stability, love, and acceptance, as well as therapeutic interventions designed to help the child move toward a successful life.”
Designed to provide behaviorally and emotionally troubled children with stable and loving foster family environments, Slavic said the organization’s growth significantly increases the number of children in southwestern Pennsylvania who may soon find treatment foster families and much needed services.
The Pressley Ridge PRYDE Program was established in 1982. The PRYDE Program works to help the most difficult kids, those who need the most caring, patience, and guidance.
According to Slavic, Pressley Ridge serves over 1,600 children and families in Pennsylvania, Maryland, West Virginia, Ohio, and the District of Columbia, who are referred by child welfare. Education, mental health and juvenile agencies.
For more information about Pressley Ridge’s services, 724-225-4400.