,b>Zelie advertises same real estate tax

ZELIENOPLE — The borough’s real estate tax will be advertised to remain the same for next year’s budget.

The total rate is 5.31 mills, which includes general purposes, recreation, fire department purposes, and the community public library.

A mill equals $1 in tax revenue for each $1,000 of a property’s assessed value. Each mill generates about $28,850.

Borough manager Don Pepe said the tax rate is relatively low and that he sees “no need” to raise the rate for next year.

“It’s fluctuated up and down,” Pepe said of the tax rate. “But it’s been at that point for a long time.”

The vote on the 2017 budget will be next month.

Circuit box fire causes smokeCHICORA — A circuit panel box caught fire in the basement at the home at 478 Trimbur Road at around 4:20 p.m. Monday in Donegal Township, according to Chicora fire lieutenant Kenny Blatt.Blatt said the circuit panel box “shorted out,” causing it to catch fire. He said the fire was out before responders were on scene. There was smoke in the basement, which firefighters removed with positive pressure fans and electric fans.Sandy Neely, her 11-year-old daughter, and their two dogs were in the house at the time of the fire. They escaped uninjured.Responding were Chicora, Sugar Creek and Petrolia fire departments and Chicora Ambulance.