The Daily News from Lebanon, Pennsylvania • 3

Region Friday, February 20, 2004 Lebanon PaiJg Butler on block for $24M i Australian steel producer aims to buy manufacturer, including Annville plant engineering and service centers throughout the United States and 15 other countries, the release states. Butler designs and produces systems and components for nonresidential structures. Butlers sales revenue for last year totaled nearly $800 million, according to the release. The company employs 4,500 people world; wade. The Annville facility, which fabricates pre-engi-neered metal buildings, opened in 1976, Stephenson said.

In November 2001, the local plant was responsible for making 18 hangars for Air National Guard units that were on alert after the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks. The strip alert hangars were built to house F-15 and F-16 interceptor jets participating in Operation Noble Eagle, which is the official name given to the homeland. By SANDI LYNN BROWN Staff Writer A deal is in the works for a steel producer from Melbourne, Australia, to acquire Butler Manufacturing Co. and its Annville plant in the next few months, a deal expected to exceed $200 million.

Officials from Butler, based in Kansas City, said they would like to sell the company to BlueScope Steel Limited, the largest steel producer in Australia and New Zealand. Wally Stephenson, plant manager for the local site at 400 N. Weaber said Wednesday it is not a done deal yet, and he is not certain what changes it may bring to the company. However, he said, he is optimistic the sale will bring growth and more opportunities for Butler, its employees and customers. Butler and BlueScope builders and customers while joining a global player that really understands the steel business and the value of downstream products that Butler provides, he said in the release.

Both companies have reached an agreement on the terms of the merger, which Butler shareholders and regulatory authorities in the United States must approve. Butler shareholders are expected to vote on the proposal in April. BlueScope is offering $22.50 per share for about 6.4 million shares, the release states. BlueScope will pay $204 million for the American company, including paying off a $60 million debt. Established in 1901, Butler operates manufacturing, Earl Brightbill Lebanon Daily News Gary Shaver welds steel yesterday at Butler Manufacturing Co.

in Annville. An Australian firm intends to buy the steel producer, including the Annville facility, for a reported $204 million. defense and civil support services to be provided by the military reserves now on active duty, according to government sources. BlueScope constructs flat steel products generally sold to customers in the automo WARMING UP A-C board extends Zehners contract Man convicted in pizzeria attack loses court appeal have similar backgrounds and good customer service, Stephenson said. And with BlueScopes market in Australia and Butlers market in the United States and China, one will complement the other.

Looking at BlueScope, theyre a real good fit for us, he said. I think it would be a good move for the Annville (operation). Well just wait and see. Butler Chief Executive Officer John Holland said in a news release the partnership will allow Butler to revitalize its North American buildings operations, while BlueScope will be able to capitalize on Butlers China business. This allows us to continue providing excellent quality and service to our Butler Weve had some challenging projects to work with and even some bigger challenges with the renovation project (at the high school), she said.

Im pleased the board is letting me lead this project. The district has hired an architectural firm to conduct a feasibility study and oversee renovations at the secondary school. In addition to Zehners contract, the board also approved a five-year contract with the districts administrators. The contract will expire in 2009. Administrators will receive a 3 percent increase in salary in each of the five years if they receive a rating of satisfactory or above.

The board also could choose to give individual administrators additional compensation during those years if they receive a proper rating. The board recognizes that we have a strong administrative team and is pleased with their performance, Zehner said. We had very positive meetings as we worked through the negotiations. Bomberger agreed. Were very satisfied with the work of the administra- five team, he said.

JK bile, packaging and building, and construction-manufacturing industries. The acquisition of Butler Manufacturing is expected to be completed within 90 days, according to the release. Robertson stopped by Allens home on North Fifth Street, not far from the pizza shop, on the night of robbery, Allen testified. A group, including Allens two brothers and another friend, was drinking beer and smoking marijuana, Allen testified. Sometime between 7 and 8 p.m.

that day, Robertson left and was gone for about an hour, Allen testified. When he returned, he had money rolled up in a New York Giants jacket. When Allen asked Robertson about the money, Robertson told him not to worry, Allen told the jury. After he learned the holdup, Allen testified, he asked Robertson if he had robbed the shop. Again, Robertson denied it.

Allen said he urged Robertson to leave town, and Robertson was eventually captured in Burlington County, N.J. During their investigation, police found a blood-stained Giants jacket in a closet at the apartment Robertson shared with his wife. The blood matched Amatos blood. Kline rejected Robertsons contention that Allens testimony was not credible. The jury thought it was, the judge said.

Robertson also argued that his mother, Elizabeth, should have been allowed to testify that he was separated from his wife when police found the jacket in the closet at the home of Robertsons wife. But, the judge noted, Robertsons mother sat through the trial, while prosecuting and defense attorneys had agreed to sequester witnesses outside the courtroom during the proceedings. Kline said Robertsons mother was apparent going to testify that her sojn was not living at the apartment when police found tftp jacket, thus it could not havp belonged to Robertson. TKp judge said such testimony would have been hearsay because she would have related what her son or daughter-in-law told her about their separation. returned from a combat mission in Afghanistan, is expected to fire 1,300 rounds of ammunition beginning at 11 each night.

Col. Raymond L. Hulings, garrison commander, says those living near Fort Indiantown Gap can expect to hear a significant amount of noise each night. Training exercises using helicopters and other aircraft for air-assault operations will also take place. A total of 450 soldiers will participate in the training.

Jim Zengerle Lebanon Daily News Taking advantage of the warmer-than-usual weather, Lebanon Middle School students Melissa Sattazahn (left) and Becky Topping, both 14, shoot hoops yesterday at the still-snow-covered playground at Sixth and Elm streets. By LES STEWART Staff Writer A 33-year-old man, convicted of robbing and stabbing a northside pizza-shop owner and sentenced to a lengthy prison term, has lost his appeal in Lebanon County Common Pleas Court. Judge Samuel A. Kline on Wednesday dismissed an appeal by Jamey C. Robertson, who was convicted in August of attempted first-degree murder, robbery, aggravated assault, recklessly endangering another person and possession of an instrument of crime.

The charges stem from an Oct. 17, 1999, holdup at Pizza, 701 Lehman and the stabbing of shop owner Giovanni Amato. In his appeal, Robertson, who lived in the Spruce Park Apartment complex at the time of the robbery, contended that his sentence of 30 to 60 years in state prison was excessive, insufficient evidence was presented to convict him, and the court improperly prevented his mother from testifying on his behalf. In his ruling, Kline noted Robertson had a record of robberies and an escalating level of violence. Robertson had two prior robbery convictions in New Jersey and served three years in prison for a 1995 holdup, according to court records.

The judge said Robertson inflicted three potentially life-threatening injuries on Amato, stabbing him in the face and stomach before slashing his throat. Amato testified he was unable to see his attacker because his face was bleeding. Among Robertsons arguments in his appeal, he contended that the testimony of prosecution witness Michael Allen was not credible. Allen testified that he lied to police during the investigation and at a preliminary hearing to protect Robertson, his friend. Allen also told the jury he did not want to testify at Robertsons trial.

Fire, Police Log By CHRIS SHOLLY Staff Writer Annville-Cleona school board members renewed the contract of Superintendent Marsha Zehner and approved salary increases for administrators during a recent board meeting. The board approved a five-year contract with Zehner. Her previous pact would have expired Jan. 31, 2005, but the renewal keeps her under contract until Jan. 31, 2010.

By law, the board must notify the superintendent during the last year of the contract on its intentions to keep her or not, Zehner explained. The board is pleased with the work she has been doing, and we think the district is going forward under her leadership, President Dennis Bomberger said. Zehner also received an increase in salary of 3 percent in each year of her contract, starting in 2005, provided she receives a rating of satisfactory or above. Her current salary is $109,506. Zehner, who has been superintendent for nine years, has worked for the district for 31 years, starting as a teacher.

She said she appreciates the opportunity to work with the school board. 2 men charged in theft of SUV Two South Londonderry Township residents were jailed Wednesday on charges involving receiving stolen property in connection with the theft of a sport-utility vehicle. Benjamin E. Estberg, also known as Benjamin E. Nichols, 25, and Charles W.

Taplay 19, both of 601 S. Columbus were charged Wednesday with receiving stolen property and criminal conspiracy after the theft of a 1992 Nissan Pathfinder, police said. The vehicle was reported missing from Horsham Township, Montgomery County, about a jveek ago, police said. They were arraigned before District Justice Nigel Foundling and placed in Lebanon County prison, police said. Bail was set at $10,000 each.

Annville DUI: Charles H. Shirling, 47, of 231 Water St. was charged with drunken driving after an incident at 11:10 p.m. Feb. 11, police said.

Shirling also led police on a brief chase on Route 422 and was charged with various traffic violations, police said. DUI: George Lodish, 48, of 305 S. White Oak St. was charged with drunken driving after a traffic stop at 5:43 p.m. Sunday at Man- tulUfff Swatara ACCIDENT: Brad-Travis A.

Rouse, no age listed, of Swanton, lost control of his car on 1-81 at mile marker 94 at 1 p.m. Wednesday, and the vehicle went off the roadway. The car traveled 234 feet through the snow and struck an embankment before overturning. Rouse complained of neck pain, and was taken to Her-shey Medical Center, according to EMA records. Crews from Lickdale and Jonestowns Perseverance fire companies and Good Samaritan ambulance assisted police.

East Hanover DUI: Craig Patches, 35, Annville, was charged with drunken driving after an incident at 12:39 a.m. Wednesday at Route 22 and Old Jonestown Road, police said. DUI: Barry L. Bollinger, 27, of 1344 Ridge Road was charged with drunken driving after a traffic stop at 2:05 a.m. Wednesday on Route 22 near Gravel Hill Road, police said.

Police did not provide his blood-alcohol level. Schuylkill County CRIMINAL MISCHIEF: A representative of Zech-mans Cycle Center, 187 Tremont Road, Pine Grove Township, told police five BBs were shot at the business windows overnight Feb. 12. Damage was estimated at $550. w4 Alb Vitt 'f aged at 7 a.m.

Wednesday. Anyone with further information on the incident is asked to call the Palmyra police at 838-8189. SIMPLE ASSAULT: Francesca Marko, 21, of 420 E. High St. was charged after an incident at his home at 12:21 a.m.

yesterday, police said. Marko is accused of assaulting a 21-year-old man. Six days of howitzer training! scheduled at Indiantown Gap Rodney Cammauf Lebanon Daily News A police officer gathers information as firefighters clean up the scene of an accident that occurred at Lincoln Street and Route 422 in Cleona about 9:20 a.m. yesterday. One person was taken to Good Samaritan Hospital.

No police report was available this morning. Live-fire exercises will begin tonight at Fort Indiantown Gap, and officials warn local residents to be prepared for the loud noises. Members of the 2nd Battalion, 15th Field Artillery Regiment of the 10th Mountain Division, based at Fort Drum, N.Y., will conduct artillery live fire utilizing M119 (105 mm) towed howitzer weapons from tonight' through Wednesday, according to a Gap news release. The unit, which recently heim and White Oak streets, police said. His blood-alcohol level was 0.217 percent, police said.

Pennsylvanias limit is .08 percent. Palmyra CRIMINAL ATTEMPT: A representative of Palmyra Animal Clinic, 920 E. Main told police the rear door of the business was dam.