In Brief
[naviga:h3]Gibbons named committee chairman[/naviga:h3]
HARRISBURG — State Rep. Jaret Gibbons, D-10th, is the new Democratic chairman of the House Tourism and Recreational Development Committee.
Democratic House Leader Frank Dermody named Gibbons to the post.
The Republican chairman of the committee is David Hickernell of Lancaster County.
Gibbons, whose district covers the Slippery Rock area in Butler County, said tourism and recreation is a $39.2 billion industry in the state.
[naviga:h3]Work closes portion of Turnpike[/naviga:h3]
ALLEGHENY COUNTY — The Pennsylvania Turnpike will be closed eastbound between Butler Valley Interchange Exit 39 and Allegheny Valley Interchange Exit 48 from midnight to 2 a.m. Sunday.
The section will be closed for sign posts to be put up at milepost 45.76 as part of the reconstruction of the Turnpike from milepost 40 to 48.
Drivers should exit at the Butler Valley Interchange and use is detour: follow Route 8 south for 10 miles, take the left ramp to Route 28 north for 7.5 miles, take Exit 11 to Route 910 East for .2 miles, and take a left onto Freeport Road onto Allegheny Valley Interchange for .7 miles.
[naviga:h3]Student hurt at track practice[/naviga:h3]
ADAMS TWP — A Mars High School freshman was injured Thursday when accidentally hit with a shot put during track and field practice at the middle school.
District solicitor Tim King said the student was taken to a hospital.
He did not know if it was a boy or girl who was hurt.
Because district officials do not comment on student situations, no details were available on the injury or its cause.
[naviga:h3]Mars awards softball contract[/naviga:h3]
ADAMS TWP — The Mars School Board on Tuesday awarded the $660,000 softball field bid to Murin & Murin of Glassport.
The contract is for building the two softball fields on either side of Officer Edward Brooks Drive off Route 228 near the Centennial School.
Construction on the project, which will also include a parking lot area, is expected to begin this month.
