Liberty schools' grant to expand computer use

Liberty schools' grantto expand computer use
LIBERTY -- Liberty schools have received an $11,759 grant from the State Library of Ohio for expanded computer use.
The grant will permit the purchase of eight Internet-accessible work stations to allow pupils and teachers access to electronic resources and participate in statewide resource sharing. The state agency board approved $561,431 in grants ranging from $3,450 to $15,000.
Truants to clean up
WARREN -- City school pupils with chronic truancies will clean up the grounds of Western Reserve Middle School on Saturday as part of the district's effort to combat excessive school absences.
The community service project runs from noon to 4 p.m., and students will be supplied with reflective vests, gloves and 30-gallon trash bags for litter collection.
The district says it has taken a community approach to truancy, as its intervention program is targeted toward students with 15 or more unexcused absences.
The cleanup will be supervised by Nick Bellas, truancy officer for city schools, and by a Trumbull County deputy sheriff.
Filming art program
SOUTHINGTON -- Channels 45/49 will be on location in Southington Schools on Friday to film a program called "Sharing Art."
School officials said they don't know when the program will air.
Officials from 45/49 will be at the K-12 school on state Route 305 from 8 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.
About 30 pupils will create artwork under the direction of district art instructor Sue Griffin.
Student art projects will be based on the work of local artist Chris Yambar, who has discussed his work via the Internet with officials at 45/49.
Southington officials said they hope Yambar will visit the school to discuss art with pupils.
Putting vehicle to use
LIBERTY -- Township police have taken a Jeep Cherokee seized in a drug case and put it on patrol duty.
"It's bad money turned to something good," Police Chief Michael Pilolli said Tuesday of the 1993 vehicle that had a new engine when seized.
It will be used for patrol duty and its four-wheel drive makes it available for investigations that lead off-road. It has police markings and flashing lights.
The vehicle was turned over to the township after a defendant pleaded guilty in a crack cocaine case.
Resolution on dumping
CHAMPION -- Township trustees adopted a resolution urging the federal government to take all necessary measures to halt the dumping of foreign steel in the United States.
In other business at the trustee meeting Monday, township Fire Chief Ron Thompson reported that new Ohio Environmental Protection Agency rules forbid open burning except for cookouts.
Also, Road Supervisor Robert Sudzina noted that repair work on Craig Avenue will begin Tuesday and take about 30 days.
Injured in car wreck
POLAND -- A woman was in stable condition in St. Elizabeth Health Center today after a two-vehicle accident Tuesday afternoon on U.S. Route 224, about 1,000 feet from the Pennsylvania line.
Bonnie Oliver, 33, of Butler, was the only person injured in the 12:47 p.m. crash. The hospital said she arrived by helicopter.
A westbound vehicle being driven by William A. Albertine, 22, of High Meadow Drive, New Castle, hit a vehicle driven by Steven M. Hosak, 44, of Butler, when Hosak turned in front of him, the Ohio State Highway Patrol said.
Oliver was a passenger in the vehicle Hosak was driving, which continued on and hit a parked vehicle. The patrol is investigating.
Body identified
YOUNGSTOWN -- The body a woman found Saturday afternoon at Cantwell Avenue and Carson Street has been identified by the Mahoning County coroner's office as Ernestine Phillips Fears, 50. No address was available. A coroner's ruling is pending.
Police towed and held for detectives a 1993 Chevrolet Lumina that was found Sunday morning and contained the woman's identification and credit cards. Someone had tried to burn the car, but the fire damaged only a portion of the interior.
Plan to buy firearms
POLAND -- In the completion of a firearms acquisition project, the township police department will buy $2,900 worth of firearms from the National Shooting Club, Santa Clara, Calif.
Trustees also approved the hiring of Patricia A. Bartos as a employee custodian at a rate of $105 per week. Police Chief Carl Massullo said the township has had trouble with custodial help in the past, which should be remedied with the hiring.