CONNELLSVILLE, Fayette County, May 4 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Pennsylvania will invest $204,000 to improve Youghiogheny River Park in Connellsville, Fayette County, Department of Conservation and Natural Resources Secretary John Quigley said today. The funds will help connect the park to the river and stabilize the river bank, and expand trail amenities along the Great Allegheny Passage including secure showers and bike-washing facilities. "For many years, communities turned their backs to the water, blocking access and polluting them through industrial practices," Quigley said during an event at the park off Route 119.

By Volkert, Lora Indian Creek will be diverted into a new channel through downtown Caldwell by the end of January, Caldwell Mayor Garret Nancolas announced in his State of the City address.

By Matthew Sturdevant, Daily Press, Newport News, Va. Jan. 16--HAMPTON -- -- Edith Newkirk's backyard at 238 Pochin Place ends abruptly at the edge of a swamp of cattails that have ensnared plastic Coke bottles, McDonald's cups and all sorts of trash.

By Julie B. Hairston, The Atlanta Journal-Constitution Dec. 28--A $21 million expansion at DeKalb Medical Center is prompting the hospital to hire 125 workers, including 72 registered nurses.

By Vickie D. Ashwill, The Idaho Statesman, Boise Jun. 30--Caldwell is planning on blasting away part of a cliff south of Marsing to gather boulders and other rock pieces for use in the restoration of Indian Creek in the city's center.