• Three members of Boy Scout Troop 215 received the Eagle Award, the highest rank in scouting, at a Court of Honor held March 9 at Bethel Presbyterian Church in Bethel Park.

Troop 215, chartered by Bethel Presbyterian in 1922, is one of the Greater Pittsburgh Council's oldest and largest Boy Scout troops.

To achieve Eagle rank, a Scout must fulfill requirements in leadership, service and outdoor skills. A key requirement is participation in a service project that has lasting effects on a community, said David Koltash, Troop 215 assistant scoutmaster in charge of Eagle advancement.

Here are the three new Eagles, all Bethel Park residents and Bethel Park High School students:

• Derek Anthony Dmitrzak, 18, son of Gary and Ruth Dmitrzak. Derek supervised a crew of 37 in over 274 man-hours to restore Peter Page Park for his Eagle project, including clearing brush and weeds from the hillside, clearing a walking trail and constructing benches. At the high school, he is a senior, a member of Law Enforcement Apprenticeship Program, and an all-star and captain of the Inline Varsity Hockey team. A member of St. Louise DeMarillac Church, he plans to attend West Virginia University to major in criminal justice.

• Steven Wesley Miller, 18, is the son of Norm and Beth Miller. Steven wanted to give something back to the music department of Mt. Lebanon Untied Presbyterian Church, so he led a crew of 40 over the course of 367 man-hours to repair and repaint the choir room. At the high school, Steve is a senior and involved with the music department. He has been an active member of the marching band and has participated in various district, regional and all-state orchestras and bands. He also is a Pittsburgh Jazz Society member and plans to enter the U.S. Army.

• Brian Joseph Walsh, 16, is the son of Thomas and Cheryl Walsh. He completed a headstone restoration project in Bethel Cemetery in September 2006 for his Eagle project. With over 50 volunteers putting in 220 man-hours, Brian and his crew washed stones as well as repaired broken and tilted headstones in the historic cemetery. He is a high school junior, actively involved with Student Government, and volunteers with Relay for Life, Walk for Darfur and Light the Night. A member of St. Louise DeMarillac Church, he plans to attend college to major in science.

• The Community Day committee recently sent letters to local businesses inviting them to sponsor the various activities planned for this year's community day.

Community day will be held on May 25 at Hamilton Park and will offer music, including jazz artist Kenny Blake, fireworks, and other entertainment. Castle Shannon has not held a formal community day celebration in over 25 years.

Preliminary information on the day's activities and opportunities for sponsorship is available on the borough Web site at www.castleshannoncommerce.com.

Businesses interested in sponsoring a portion of the day's activities should contact borough manager Tom Hartswick at 412-885-9200.

• At its meeting this week, council approved the recommendation of its planning commission to allow the subdivision of a plot of land, owned by Albert H. and Julia M. Haas. Council approved the recommendation that the plot of land, located off Shady Lane, be divided into three parcels.

• The borough has received a $162,000 state Department of Conservation and Natural Resources grant for improvements to the community park and Aiken Field.

The money will enable construction of a soccer field, completion of a walking trail, landscaping, signs, utility upgrades and improvements to make the facility more accessible for handicapped individuals.

• A six-story, 81-room Hampton Inn is coming near the Bridgeville exit of Interstate 79.

Commissioners Monday night approved a subdivision and site plan for the hotel at the intersection of Old Pond Road and Hickory Grade Road.

Part of a Knights Inn will be torn down to make way for the Hampton Inn. Property owner Moonlight Hospitality Inc. recently renovated the front part of the L-shaped Knights Inn, and will demolish the "leg" in back and subdivide the property so the back part can be sold to Hampton.

Manager Mike Hoy said he sees a connection between this project and the coming Newbury Market, the 600,000-square-foot lifestyle center planned for the other side of Route 50.

"I can only assume that the energy generated by Newbury is spreading out, that people want to be there the same time Newbury gets there," he said.

• Commissioners earlier this month approved applying for three park grants from the state Department of Conservation and Natural Resources, one for improvements to Sturgeon Park, one for master planning of the newly acquired Morgan property and one for resurfacing the portion of the Panhandle Trail that passes through the township.

The Panhandle Trail is a 29-mile former rail line from Walker's Mill in Collier to Weirton, W.Va.

• Community Endowment for Peters Township is accepting 2008 grant award requests through July 1. Up to $5,000 in grants will be awarded.

To apply for and receive a grant, a non-profit 501(c)3 organization must provide a charitable service to the citizens of Peters in any of the following areas: the arts, education, the environment, health, human needs, or religion. The organization does not need to be physically located in the township.

Interested charitable organizations may submit a one-page letter describing the organization and the project for which funds are requested. To learn more, contact the Washington County Community Foundation by phone 724-222-6330 or by e-mail at info@wccf.net.

• School board members approved the formation of an ad hoc committee to discuss the district's contract with Zone 3. The latter is trying to secure supplemental revenue for the district through naming rights and corporate sponsorships and its management requested a private meeting with district officials.

"This is just a set-up to get rid of these people" said board member William Sulkowski. He and fellow director Carol Coliane voted against the formation of the ad hoc committee Monday.