HARRISBURG — Gov. Ed Rendell announced the following appointments this week.

• Judge, Court of Common Pleas, Allegheny County — Judith Ference Olson of Wexford

• State Board of Cosmetology — Sue Ann Stewart of Renfrew

ERIE — The Manufacturer & Business Association had an anniversary award ceremony at the Conley Resort, Route 8 south on Oct. 2.Penna Flame Industries on Route 588 in Zelienople was honored for its 40 years in business.

BUFFALO TWP — Pending township approval, an accounting and tax preparation business in Middlesex Township will expand into Buffalo.Marsico Associates wants to convert a vacant residence at 812 S. Pike Road into an office.It needs a conditional use approval because the land is in a residential zone.A public hearing is set for 7 p.m. Nov. 12 at the township building on Bear Creek Road. The township supervisors will vote on granting the conditional use at the subsequent meeting beginning at 7:30 p.m.Business owner Vincent Marsico of Middlesex said the building doesn't require major renovations. "Literally, a coat of paint," he said.Marsico said he wants to widen his service area.

PITTSBURGH — A suburban Pittsburgh man is suing Allegheny County, saying it's preventing him from mining coal he owns under a county park.Nello Fiore of Whitehall said if the county won't let him mine under about 100 acres in South Park, then he should be reimbursed the coal's value — about $100 million.The county owns the surface rights and rejected strip mining plans despite Fiore's offer to build ball fields as part of reclamation and offering the county royalties.

HARRISBURG — The Pennsylvania Attorney General's Office said ongoing negotiations over Countrywide Financial's subprime mortgages could lead to cash payments or other relief for thousands of customers in the state.Attorney General Tom Corbett said a settlement with Bank of America — which acquired Countrywide — is expected to be reached in the next few weeks.More than 10,000 Pennsylvanians might be able to get their loans modified, avoid foreclosure or obtain payments as part of the deal.

<B>Tim Morabito</B> of Butler joined the AAA Butler office at 138 Clearview Circle, Clearview Mall. He will work as part of the AAA's insurance office.———<B>Nancy McKee</B> was named director of Butler Health System's behavior health systems while Amy Hammonds was appointed the department's clinical manager, and Ruthane Durso of Slippery Rock was named the supervisor of outpatient drug and alcohol services.———<B>James McGinnis</B> of Butler was hired as a senior loan officer for AgChoice Farm Credit office in Butler.