MERCER — The former pastor of a Mercer County church has been placed on probation and must repay $18,000 he stole from the church.

Sidney Walker, 50, of White Oak, took the money in March 2006 from an account belonging to First Baptist Church of Farrell. He pleaded guilty in January and was sentenced Tuesday. Walker will be on probation five years. Some congregants and prosecutors had asked that he be sent to jail.

Walker has said he took the money because of personal financial problems.

WASHINGTON — A Washington County hairstylist will stand trial on charges that she shot a dissatisfied client after a complaint about a hairstyle.Monique Michelle Reed, 38, of Washington, was held for trial Monday on charges of aggravated assault and reckless endangerment in the shooting of Lauren Newton on March 6.The 28-year-old Newton, of Washington, testified that Reed had been styling her hair since she was 15. Newton said she complained after a recent style. She said they got into a tussle, then Reed got a gun and shot her.