[{"_1":2,"_123":-5,"_124":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75,87,99,111],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6218495,"mediaKeyId","3628464-2d7dbc41683b61980c493712b8b48e2d","parentId",3628464,"title","Newcastle mayor asks to be appointed as Lawrence County redevelopment authority member; commissioners formally reannounce vacancy","audioSeconds",2668,"startMs",148000,"endMs",2816000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=3628464-2d7dbc41683b61980c493712b8b48e2d&start=148&end=2816","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3628464-2d7dbc41683b61980c493712b8b48e2d/thumbnail_148000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6218495/Lawrence-County/Pennsylvania/Newcastle-mayor-asks-to-be-appointed-as-Lawrence-County-redevelopment-authority-member-commissioners-formally-reannounce-vacancy","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6218495-f73a34e1c543a3e269c15edb04ac2770/orig.mp4?Expires=1770455999&Signature=gsWrdijN5qpXnTbAvIbsIvjaEMC75dnYQCiO16d9uoMbSyZYNt81HJAm5wfpLQ6nIpiSHMxKn9lKG7qTVAQmcbQY180fsPobA97swG1UND~TnSzE~8glhQx8Z-sj2x5I7YINfrJ-aFFvuyresirHTFrFBVLpF2j2zIX~6nPvMSP~UQARGq~LbLcyKeCFGbIFI1kxticeZZBi01ppgwuOCA58u1Hfex3BfkWpkH9rw~69dx6CZ7~P7GSd~w92L94orWiieXyLMtgrFETaJxXSxDoOS0jQX5rHR3BKJrjDS81dlHhv7BwnNEjrvmLSylrN6maeAXnDsFjz1Tysg-MuXA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Lawrence County, PA","date","2025-06-03T13:40:00Z","article","Mayor Mark Lisco of the City of Newcastle told the Lawrence County Board of Commissioners on Tuesday that he wants to be considered for a vacant seat on the Lawrence County Redevelopment Authority. “I am submitting my name to be considered by you guys to be on the redevelopment authority,” Lisco said during the public-comment portion of the meeting.

The board said the county ordinance that governs appointments requires that any vacancy be announced at two public meetings before the board accepts applicants. The presiding commissioner told Lisco the county would make a second public announcement and allow potential applicants to submit a letter, an email or speak at a public meeting. “The ordinance states that when there is an opening, we have to announce that opening in 2 public meetings,” the presiding commissioner said.

Why it matters: seats on the redevelopment authority influence local economic-development projects and decisions about county-owned property. The board said it will perform criminal background checks on any applicants, as required by the ordinance, before making appointments.

What the board said it will do next: commissioners indicated they will leave the application window open for about a week so anyone who wants to apply may do so or attend next week’s public meeting to state interest in person. The presiding commissioner formally made the second announcement during the meeting and confirmed the board would wait at least until the next scheduled meeting to accept additional applicants.

Public input and applicants: at the meeting the board noted two people had already expressed interest. Mayor Lisco spoke in person; the meeting record also lists an application or letter from another prospective applicant, and one additional person identified as Van Bush from Forward Lawrence had expressed interest.

Process and limits: the board reiterated it will accept applications only from Lawrence County residents and that each applicant will be subject to a criminal-background check before appointment. No appointment was made during the June 3 meeting; the board merely announced the vacancy and set a short application window.

Ending: the board said it will accept written or emailed applications or in-person statements of interest and will resume consideration next week after the application window closes.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","June 3rd, 2025 Commissioner's Meeting","oneSentenceSummary","Mayor Mark Lisco of Newcastle said he is applying for a vacancy on the Lawrence County Redevelopment Authority and asked the Board of Commissioners to consider him.","taxTitle","Lawrence County, Pennsylvania","taxId",71984,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6218478,"County retains insurance-defense counsel for Union Township property suit; commissioners table detectives union contract over pension question",179,1898000,2077000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3628464-2d7dbc41683b61980c493712b8b48e2d&start=1898&end=2077","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3628464-2d7dbc41683b61980c493712b8b48e2d/thumbnail_1898000.jpg","/articles/6218478/Lawrence-County/Pennsylvania/County-retains-insurance-defense-counsel-for-Union-Township-property-suit-commissioners-table-detectives-union-contract-over-pension-question","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6218478-8a1d76daf4c7d2883c79de819116b73b/orig.mp4?Expires=1770455999&Signature=g11HTsgUgcuqqth1ICiwdFdAyoULwKQA~zGCoI~sIg-Btiwz67i-wnsbOd3SyqpHYX7x13V7gIwg3bX~Ribtjs09jElLYxnub4xvOv3x~mK59cGPUxH0sXBG2cBMfzrbJipqxRxZ4hSODra1S8vMYNxj-25T948cqT8iBtTbiROFkhu4ME1RFEG3CfOF~OVoiKCyj-Rw3HOonvn3waaNwHrBN3ZiqH9Atq-q2FqFsp7gqkXUfw7pd7XGlo9kNRL4PWVK~h1BgHT2ZF3LbLBSafNO771whYnhsPoh9sQTsgK1jqyISKH2bvZkkee1hCsMjqnvQDhGUa8rYAU~WiEMcw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Lawrence County Board of Commissioners approved Resolution 110 to retain the county’s insurance-defense counsel (Jones, Pasadellos — the meeting referenced the firm handling prior insurance defense) to continue work on litigation related to a parcel in Union Township. County Solicitor Jason Madore told commissioners the same attorneys are familiar with the litigation and had agreed to continue at a reduced PCORP (insurance pool) rate.

Madore said the county had been named in multiple related suits; the federal case had been dropped, leaving a county-level action. The plaintiffs named in the county-filed resolution include Innovative Construction Inc., Innovative Associates, Sandro LLC, the Sandro Trust, Caravan Recovery and Real Rehabilitation Center LLC, Caravan 2 LLC, and Andrews Sanctuary Christian Youth Center Inc.; the parcel in dispute is in Union Township. Petitions and further filings were discussed as part of the summary presented to commissioners.

Separately, the board considered Resolution 111, a collective-bargaining agreement (CBA) with the Lawrence County Detectives Association. Madore and county staff told commissioners the detectives had voted to ratify a draft that included a service stipend, but the county learned the stipend might be pensionable and therefore subject to pension calculations. Because that pension treatment would affect wages and employer costs, the board voted to table the CBA to allow further discussion with the association about how to proceed.

Board action: Resolution 110 (defense counsel renewal) was approved by roll-call vote. Resolution 111 (the detectives’ CBA) was tabled by motion and unanimous roll-call vote so staff can resolve the pensionable-stipend question with union representatives.

Why it matters: the legal representation ensures continuity of defense in litigation involving county property; tabling the detectives’ CBA delays final adoption of a contract that includes compensation provisions affecting pension calculations and payroll costs.

Ending: commissioners approved continuation with the insurance defense counsel at reduced PCORP rate and directed county staff and counsel to meet with the detectives association to address the pensionability question before returning the CBA for approval.

","Lawrence County approved a contract to continue working with insurance-defense counsel on a property-related lawsuit in Union Township and tabled a collective-bargaining agreement with the Lawrence County Detectives Association because a stipend provision may be pensionable.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6218480,"Children & Youth Services renews contracts for case-management systems, investigators and consultants",205,1382000,1587000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3628464-2d7dbc41683b61980c493712b8b48e2d&start=1382&end=1587","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3628464-2d7dbc41683b61980c493712b8b48e2d/thumbnail_1382000.jpg","/articles/6218480/Lawrence-County/Pennsylvania/Children-Youth-Services-renews-contracts-for-case-management-systems-investigators-and-consultants","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6218480-06fe053559e74d9ecd017233b04153e4/orig.mp4?Expires=1770455999&Signature=TppKZ6UJ3JCcbj4vwdbwO~r2TMz2UGW2H92mI6rUzoxo8WI2L2-~8BYHSpKoaFnSeu4F4XdlEKi2eGmy4XlkLZWPxPLnkfv4UcSB5pdmRZf0nBIgAcLYelr-8PMQcuS069NEVDHAVhEzzrx0JA~IF16tyOQR17WM~jFNhOUHg9UzdMBdo2PrYuR4lQfZzl0fzQKkjPfugCApcIQd11mwkSc-TdcblwAKX30qIDCctFe3~tkEc7zC5W7HnNj0o-jdfBeh2YaYNTJBZZctvcJkmn37pWEgCM29Rn69rTi45fXuEzAPVYuaGjEOiCfeZWILqrfDN-tvQAUTaBFfLWn-nA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Lawrence County’s Board of Commissioners approved a series of Children & Youth Services contract renewals on June 3, covering software, investigative support, legal representation and medical-consultant services.

Avanco International Inc.: Mike Rippo, director of Children & Youth Services, described a routine annual renewal with Avanco International, which provides the child-accounting and profile system (CAPS) used by dozens of counties and supports federal reporting systems including CCWIS and AFCARS. Rippo said some module rates rose by a small percentage while others remained unchanged; the county renews the service annually.

Private investigator renewal: The board approved a renewal with Steven Reagan (doing business as Check Your Maintenance Investigation) of Butler County. Rippo said Reagan charges a flat $60 per hour and is used when caseworkers need help locating parents or other parties; the county does not use the investigator in every case.

Legal and professional services: The board also approved renewal contracts to retain outside counsel and professional consultants used by Children & Youth Services. Kevin Lorello was approved to provide professional legal services to the department at a not-to-exceed annual cap discussed in the meeting. The renewal period runs from July 1 through June 30, 2026. The board approved a renewal for an advanced professional nurse consultant (Jane Sheehan) who reviews medical records for cases; Rippo said the consultant’s work helps caseworkers interpret medical records and identify needs in about 20% of referrals.

Board action: Resolutions 106 through 109 were presented and approved by unanimous roll call votes.

Why it matters: These renewals maintain the department’s access to case-management technology, investigative capacity, legal representation and medical expertise used to make placement and safety decisions in child-welfare cases.

Ending: contracts were approved and staff will proceed with the renewals under the terms discussed.

","Lawrence County approved a set of contract renewals for Children & Youth Services including a renewal with Avanco International for the child-accounting system, contract renewals for a private investigator used in parent-location searches, legal services and a nurse consultant to review medical records.",{"_33":100,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":101,"_41":102,"_43":103,"_45":104,"_47":105,"_49":106,"_51":107,"_53":108,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":109,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":110,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6218486,"County increases funding for Patches Place drop-in center; mental-health office shifts funds before fiscal year end",64,1071000,1135000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3628464-2d7dbc41683b61980c493712b8b48e2d&start=1071&end=1135","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3628464-2d7dbc41683b61980c493712b8b48e2d/thumbnail_1071000.jpg","/articles/6218486/Lawrence-County/Pennsylvania/County-increases-funding-for-Patches-Place-drop-in-center-mental-health-office-shifts-funds-before-fiscal-year-end","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6218486-9b5777588a5489a1ce60f96fea1c56ff/orig.mp4?Expires=1770455999&Signature=R5F6ghTxubW4-~qJcVPmEeax4FcYrOVodS1yS0RjEq-8JnESCNwfp927COi0SqMj3fTmhYC~ceJA1kQQCG15949k431vTnZWzvs~JQqSaSRGvrkVQX1U5wxZHFydgtE2FNh0XYVsp8dnDEdSNYo0r7T5P6jVEcLX~FKmm4U4YjA2y-1JhZ8SyaYx7ugx3uasuWyIcNjcYd0bt1opyZSXU-HZovLBDyCeGw-muUDJZ52FmnMOdGx9iyaPoUcn-L1mIk7kazwLsqkt7OymHEccD281r1ImRKpdJstgUvb-GNDvlQcIUxVkMLr28VxU0nZeU~-GCPgE9Ggo0N4WcnOCyg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Lawrence County Board of Commissioners approved an amendment to the contract for Patches Place, the drop-in center located in the former Westside Elementary School in Newcastle. Scott Baldwin, director of Mental Health and Developmental Services, said the center “provides a lot of services, helping with budgeting. They provide food, transportation, and activities,” and requested $10,000 in additional funding to cover rising expenses.

The commissioners discussed and clarified the contract amounts during the meeting. Baldwin and commissioners confirmed the adjustment is an increase of $10,000 to Patches Place’s contract; the funding will bring the line-item total from $587,100 to $597,100 for fiscal 2025 (the transcript included an on-the-record clarification of those figures during the meeting).

The mental-health office also requested a transfer of $25,000 from an ID services base line item into ID case management to better match actual spending before the fiscal year ended June 30. Department staff said this type of intra-departmental adjustment is routine at year-end as programs finalize expenditures.

Why it matters: Patches Place serves residents with behavioral-health needs and provides essential community supports. The funding change will allow the center to cover increased operating costs and client services through the end of the fiscal year.

Board action: the Patches Place contract adjustment (Resolution 104) and the $25,000 transfer were both approved by unanimous roll-call votes.

Ending: commissioners approved both the contract amendment and the transfer and asked departments to continue monitoring year-end expenditures.

","Lawrence County approved a $10,000 contract adjustment for Patches Place, the mental-health drop-in center at the former Westside Elementary in Newcastle, and the county’s mental-health department requested a $25,000 transfer between line items to close out its fiscal year.",{"_33":112,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":113,"_41":114,"_43":115,"_45":116,"_47":117,"_49":118,"_51":119,"_53":120,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":121,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":122,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6218492,"Commissioners approve short-term contract with former assessor JR Artister to assist assessment office",198,781000,979000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3628464-2d7dbc41683b61980c493712b8b48e2d&start=781&end=979","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3628464-2d7dbc41683b61980c493712b8b48e2d/thumbnail_781000.jpg","/articles/6218492/Lawrence-County/Pennsylvania/Commissioners-approve-short-term-contract-with-former-assessor-JR-Artister-to-assist-assessment-office","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6218492-e3ef5931e9a4fff0dd4483cef52048c2/orig.mp4?Expires=1770455999&Signature=m2WH5vzd7WNtbuieFiqyf~ikEfEUOS8DNTmr61jGk1hvAL7xb8SFyfAVhUdsobiVo~VD3nET0-bn6VIoNf2nPuPf~w-DIe0WzxBxGVA0Idp26QxQAXQQ4ZTeT5hrrc0TbBxUqPs3ytTzqAfj6nHzZnvlSJ6HgQFVjiEvHlND~YcNA00hb-QHrHJVDgBSuEB1xrnDbVeERgD24mTMeh8noD8x4HjECmZjN3Uy8mie0rUU8wFBPH5QDNk~p5L1KL1qRFj-NCjy3GJdvWwywiWp91ZYScAFR7NOqsD7QIf1NW04XtccX80aSxIwySYt4WH7Ji~plPw0E7BKHFW2DO0BtA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Lawrence County Board of Commissioners on June 3 unanimously approved Resolution 103 to enter a short-term contract with JR Artister, the assessment office’s immediate predecessor, to provide consulting and operational assistance during the upcoming tax-preparation cycle and related court matters.

Chief Assessor Bruce Peterson described the scope: Artister would help prepare school and county tax files in June and November, provide additional training on canvassing and internal processes, and consult on court cases now pending in common pleas. “He can also help provide additional training with the canvases that we have and different processes that he wasn't able to train before he left,” Peterson said.

Contract terms and budget: the agreement sets a consulting rate of $40 per hour with an annual cap not to exceed $12,000, and county staff confirmed the funding exists in the assessment office budget.

Board action: a motion was made and seconded, and a roll call recorded Commissioners Saenato, Kennedy and Belvoir voting yes; the resolution carried. No public comment altered the action.

Why it matters: the contract aims to smooth an internal transition ahead of tax processing deadlines and to help the office prepare required tax files and manage active cases in the courts.

Ending: the board approved the contract and directed staff to proceed with the agreement.

","The Lawrence County Board of Commissioners approved Resolution 103 to contract with former assessor JR Artister as an independent contractor to assist the assessment office during tax-preparation and transition work at $40 per hour and an annual cap of $12,000.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Newcastle mayor asks to be appointed as Lawrence County redevelopment authority member; commissioners formally reannounce vacancy

County retains insurance-defense counsel for Union Township property suit; commissioners table detectives union contract over pension question

Children & Youth Services renews contracts for case-management systems, investigators and consultants

County increases funding for Patches Place drop-in center; mental-health office shifts funds before fiscal year end

Commissioners approve short-term contract with former assessor JR Artister to assist assessment office