MERCER COUNTY AREA

While the New York Times is reporting that the members of Great White may play at a funeral service for Ty Longley, the guitarist's father said no reunion is in the offing.

Pat Longley of Hubbard said funeral arrangements are not complete for his son, who died Feb. 20 in the fire at a Rhode Island nightclub where the band was playing. Ty Longley, a Sharon native and Brookfield High School graduate, was a guitarist with the band.

Longley said he is waiting for word on when his son's ashes can be flown back before agreeing to set a date for a memorial service and tribute, although they could be held as early as Sunday.

The memorial service will be held at Cornerhouse Christian Church, Hubbard Township, and Longley is asking that it remain private.

The tribute, at Yankee Lake Ballroom, would be public, he said. [The ballroom is in Yankee Lake, Ohio, on Route 7 north of Route 82

At the tribute, musicians would be able to play to honor Ty Longley, and he said Stephanie Thiel of Sharon has asked to present a dance piece.

While the remaining members of Great White are likely to attend, Longley said they have not committed to performing, and he noted that they lost much of their equipment in the fire.