STATE briefs

HARRISBURG — Pennsylvania officials are temporarily closing a second cafeteria and five snack bars in the state government complex in Harrisburg in a precautionary move prompted by the discovery of rodent droppings in the Capitol’s main cafeteria.

Department of General Services spokesman Ed Myslewicz said Wednesday the cafeteria in the Keystone office building next to the Capitol and snack bars operated by the Bureau of Blind and Visual Services in five other buildings will remain closed until at least Jan. 5.

Myslewicz says the additional closures were not prompted by the discovery of any problems like the excessive rodent droppings found scattered throughout the Capitol cafeteria’s equipment and cabinets.

Philadelphia-based Aramark Corp. runs the Capitol cafeteria and is working with state workers to clean it up.

Ex-chief, attorney get $100,000 in lawsuit

BLAIRSVILLE — A former police chief and his attorney have been paid $100,000 to settle the chief’s wrongful firing lawsuit against a western Pennsylvania borough.

The Pittsburgh Tribune-Review says documents obtained under an open records request show fired Blairsville chief Don Hess will get more than $59,000 under the settlement, while his attorney will receive about $41,000.

Hess sued after he was fired in June, claiming borough council retaliated against him for reporting to state police possible waste or other fiscal problems in the borough.

The state Attorney General’s Office has confirmed an ongoing investigation into Hess’s claims.

The borough contends Hess was fired for poor performance and has denied wrongdoing in settling the suit.

Judges sues county over budget cuts

SUNBURY — A Pennsylvania judge is suing over a decision to cut about $600,000 from his budget.

Northumberland County President Judge Robert Sacavage is suing the county. He says the budget cut will force him to cut at least six jobs and will prevent him from running the courts properly, endangering public safety.

Commissioners Vinny Clausi and Kurt Masser say they’re prepared to defend their position in court.

Administrative Office of Pennsylvania Courts spokesman Art Heinz says the development isn’t surprising considering the current economic situation.

One charge is dropped in 2-year-old’s death

PITTSBURGH — Prosecutors have dropped an aggravated assault charge against a Pittsburgh man accused of injuring his girlfriend’s 2-year-old triplets, one of whom died.

Allegheny County district attorney’s office spokesman Mike Manko says 20-year-old Anthony George is still charged with endangering the welfare of a child. But the aggravated assault charge was dropped Wednesday for lack of evidence.