ADA to judge: Throw the book at repeat offender

MERCER COUNTY — It wasn’t Scott D. Vogan’s first time in front of a judge, and Assistant District Attorney Neil McEwen on Monday was clear on how he wanted to keep him out of the courtroom in the future.

“He does nothing but commit crimes. The only way to stop him is to put him in state prison for as long as possible,” McEwen said.

Common Pleas Judge John C. Reed sentenced Vogan, 36, Conneaut Lake, Pa., to one year and two months to four years in prison for a consolidated charge of bad checks, a misdemeanor.

“He is a drain on the county. He has 34 adult convictions,” McEwen said. He emphasized that was the number of convictions, not how many times Vogan has been charged or arrested.

“I have 36,” said Reed.

Vogan said he is also sentenced for 15 to 30 months in Crawford County and 17 months to six years in Venango County, and will be up for parole this month.

“I need to put it together,” Vogan said. “I think that’s the answer.”

Temporary fix reopens New Lebanon street

NEW LEBANON — PennDOT has announced the opening of the bridge carrying Mercer Street over the tributary to Mill Creek in New Lebanon.

The road was closed March 14 when stones within the masonry arch culvert caused undermining of the roadway.

Due to the lengthy time for fabrication of the box culvert, PennDOT Mercer County Maintenance partnered with the Department of Environmental Protection and Mercer County Conservation District to expedite an interim repair.

Mercer County PennDOT crews demolished the old structure and installed two twin metal pipes temporarily. The road will be closed again once the box culvert is ready to be installed.

Riverside Park drinking fountain damaged

GREENVILLE — Someone pulled a drinking fountain from the wall outside the bathroom building at Riverside Park, Greenville, between Sunday and Monday, causing about $300 in damage, Greenville-West Salem Township police said Tuesday.