2 motorcyclists hurt Tuesday in crashes

MERCER COUNTY — Two motorcyclists were injured in separate crashes Tuesday, one with severe chest trauma and the other with a compound leg fracture, Southwest Mercer County Regional police said.

Spiros Countouris, 40, of 3168 Bethel-New Wilmington Road, Shenango Township, was speeding on a motorcycle on state Route 318 just after 3 p.m. when he ran into the loader bucket on the front of a tractor that was crossing the road, police said.

Steve Lefes, 80, of 162 Hermitage Hills Blvd., Hermitage, was driving the tractor and stopped it but Countouris wasn’t able to avoid clipping the loader with his left leg, police said.

Countouris was taken to St. Elizabeth Health System, Youngstown, with a broken leg, police said. Lefes wasn’t injured, police said.

At 10:07 p.m. a motorcycle driven by James Davis, 28, of 9 Lauren Lane, West Middlesex, was hit by a car driven by Larry Maola, 53, New Castle, on Sharon-New Castle Road in Farrell, police said.

Maola turned in front of Davis’ oncoming motorcycle, police said. Davis suffered severe chest injuries and was flown from UPMC Horizon, Farrell, to St. Elizabeth’s. Maola wasn’t hurt, police said.

Both motorcyclists are in guarded condition at St. Elizabeth’s, according to a hospital spokeswoman.

Rash of thefts from parked cars reported

GREENVILLE — Greenville-West Salem Township police are investigating about 30 reports of items stolen from parked vehicles over the past week.

Most of the vehicles were unlocked and stolen items include money, CDs, wallets and anything else that’s easy for a burglar to grab quickly, police said.

A pickup was stolen from a Davis Street, Greenville, home, after the owner left the keys in the ignition. The truck was recovered and police are still looking for a suspect.

Police are trying to determine if the burglaries are connected and remind people to lock their vehicles and remove valuables and keys.

Teamsters approve new contract with COG

MERCER COUNTY — Bus drivers, washers and mechanics who work for Mercer County Regional Council of Governments approved a contract offer Monday, said Doug Robbins, union representative of Teamsters Local 261.