Daniel Martin, commandant of the Marine Corps League's Laurel Highlands Detachment 732 announces that parents/guardians who pre-registered their children for Toys for Tots distribution, the toys will be given out from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Dec. 18 and 19 at the Connellsville Airport. People with last names beginning from A to L can pick up toys on Dec. 18 and with last names from M to Z on Dec. 19.
On Dec. 19 after 4 p.m. at the airport, those not registered may come in person with their photo ID Access/EBT for the parent and medical cards for the children, and if there are toys still in that age group, they will be distributed to them.
Connellsville
Holiday schedule
The Salvation Army, Connellsville Area Service Center, 201 E. Fairview Ave., Connellsville, has announced its holiday schedule:
= Christmas dinner will be served from 10:30 a.m. to noon Dec. 12.
= Toy and basket distribution will be held from 8 a.m. to noon Dec. 22 to 24.
For more information, call 724-628-2010.
Fayette
Hunter dies
A 61-year-old Connellsville man apparently died of natural causes Wednesday on a hunting trip in Upper Tyrone Township, Fayette County, police said.
The man's name is being withheld pending notification of his family, a spokesman for Fayette County Coroner Dr. Phillip Reilly said.
State police at Belle Vernon said the man was found dead along the side of Broadford Road, where he had parked to go hunting.
There were no signs of foul play. The coroner's office spokesman said there would not be an autopsy.
Pennsylvania's two-week rifle-hunting deer season began Monday.
Fay-West
CEO to step down
The Bon-Ton Stores Inc.'s chief executive, Tim Grumbacher, will step down from his CEO position effective mid-2004, while retaining the chairman's spot, the York-based department store chain said Wednesday. In addition to Grumbacher remaining chairman of the struggling retail chain, the Grumbacher family will retain its controlling ownership interest in The Bon-Ton, according to a news release. The company's board of directors formed a four-member committee to conduct a search for Grumbacher's successor. No date was placed on a decision. The Bon-Ton operates 142 department stores in 16 states in the Northeast and Midwest, including five in western Pennsylvania.
Fayette
Vote for UMW
Corrections officers at the Fayette County Prison voted Wednesday to join the United Mine Workers union. According to preliminary vote totals, the 56-member bargaining unit rejected representation by the Harrisburg-based Independent Correctional Officers of Pennsylvania union and voted in the UMW by a 43-1 margin. The previous three-year contract with ICOP was scheduled to expire Dec. 31. Final certification by the Pennsylvania Labor Relations Board is expected within five days after Wednesday's vote, according to Edward D. Yankovich Jr., president of UMWA District 2. He said contract negotiations with the Fayette County commissioners would commence after certification. The UMW also represents corrections officers in Westmoreland, Clarion, Cambria, Elk and Jefferson counties, according to Marlon Whoolery, international representative and union organizer.
