“It was a good ratification meeting,” Robbins said in a telephone message. “The members understood what’s going on in the world and approved it.”

The COG board will vote on the contract at 6 p.m. July 16 at the COG Office on Highland Road in Hermitage, said Kim DiCintio, COG office manager.

The previous three-year pact with workers for Shenango Valley Shuttle Service and Mercer County Regional Council of Governments expired June 30.

“A lot of give on both sides, but we got a contract,” Robbins said.

Judge says Black not due sentence reduction

SHENANGO VALLEY — A former Shenango Valley man serving a federal prison term for a drug crime asked for an early release, but a judge said he does not deserve any more breaks.

Travis W. Black, 23, formerly of Farrell and Brookfield, pleaded guilty in October to conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute 5 grams or more of crack cocaine for selling a half-ounce of crack for $550 to a police informant on Oct. 1, 2007, in Farrell.

Although the charge comes with a 5-year mandatory minimum, Black was able to be sentenced to less because he had little or no criminal history, he did not use a weapon or threat of violence, and met other criteria of the so-called “safety valve” provision.

U.S. District Judge Gustave Diamond went under the advisory sentencing guidelines range to 30 to 37 months in prison, and sentenced Black Jan. 7 to 20 months.

In a motion filed without a lawyer, Black said he is due an additional sentencing reduction because he provided more information to prosecutors than he was required to qualify for the safety valve.

Diamond responded that he has no authority to further reduce Black’s sentence, but noted that Black’s sentence came in 10 months under sentencing guidelines.

“Any further reduction in defendant’s sentence clearly would not be appropriate,” Diamond said.

Black is imprisoned in Hazelton, W.Va., and is due to be released March 14, according to the U.S. Bureau of Prisons.

Supervisor repays cost of insurance coverage

SUGAR GROVE TOWNSHIP -- A Sugar Grove Township supervisor has reimbursed the township for over $5,000 in health insurance coverage given to his reportedly common-law wife.