Butler
Petrolia man pleads to drug charges
A Petrolia man pleaded guilty Monday to selling drugs in Butler County and faces a pre-sentencing hearing within the next 30 days.
Todd Nussbaumer, 22, pleaded guilty to 56 counts of selling LSD, marijuana, cocaine and prescription drugs before Butler County Common Pleas Judge Thomas Doerr.
Lisa Lotz, Butler County Clerk of Courts, said it is unusual to hold a pre-sentencing hearing, but said Doerr chose to because Nussbaumer faces so many charges with different mandatory sentences.
Nussbaumer was arrested in April 2000 as part of a drug investigation that netted 46 pounds of marijuana, 5 1 / 2 ounces of cocaine, 385 doses of LSD and 1,336 prescription pills.
Also arrested was Nussbaumer's wife, April Nussbaumer, 24. She is facing 98 criminal counts related to selling drugs.
Jury selection for her trial began on Tuesday.
After arresting the couple in April 2000, police several days later arrested Todd Nussbaumer's mother, Cynthia Minto, also of Petrolia. Police said Minto allowed the couple to use her home to sell drugs.
On Friday, Minto pleaded guilty to 10 charges of possession of drugs with intent to sell, and six charges of conspiracy.
Her sentencing hearing was not scheduled as of yesterday.
The Nussbaumers and Minto have been free on bond.
Franklin Park
Residents oppose new sign ordinance
A group of Franklin Park residents are appealing a sign ordinance borough council adopted earlier this year.
James Norris, an attorney with Eckert Seamans Cherin & Mellott, Downtown, and an appellant in the case, said the appeal was filed last week against Franklin Park Borough and its borough council in the county's Court of Common Pleas.
According to the appeal, the group contends they were not properly notified of changes in the new sign ordinance, which allows for larger signs to be placed on certain businesses in the borough. The ordinance was adopted March 20, according to the appeal.
The group also contends borough officials made revisions to the ordinance after March 20 without re-advertising the proposed changes and without discussing the changes at a public meeting.
Under state law, a municipality must advertise in a local newspaper any proposed zoning ordinance and amendment at least seven days before the ordinance is adopted.
Franklin Park officials could not be reached for comment Tuesday evening.
Mars Area schools
Steelers to play benefit basketball
Mars Area High School will sponsor benefit basketball games between the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Mars Area high school staff beginning at 6:30 tonight at the high school, 520 Route 228, Mars.
High school seniors will play their teachers at 6:30 p.m. and the Steelers will play Mars Area High School staff at 8 p.m.
The cost is $5. Tickets are on sale in the high school gym.
For more information, call (724) 625-1581. Ross
Think tank members to meet tonight
The Thomas Jefferson Think Tank will meet at 6:45 p.m. today at Silvioni's Restaurant, 2125 Babcock Blvd., Ross.
The group will discuss the Bill of Rights, including the debate over whether a Bill of Rights was needed, the words of Jefferson and James Madison, and recent Supreme Court decisions on Bill of Rights issues.
To RSVP, e-mail badray531@cs.com.
North Park
Boy Scouts busy collecting donations
The North Park office will serve as a collection site for donations during the annual Boy Scouts Scouting for Food initiative.
Donations of non-perishable food products, paper products, soap and cleaning supplies will be accepted from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. May 2 and 3 at the administration building, Pearce Mill Road. A county truck will be available to collect donations from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. May 4 and 5.
No glass items will be accepted.
The Scouting for Food program is coordinated locally by the Boy Scouts of America, Greater Pittsburgh Council and the United Way.
