Bright will speak about African art
Bright will speakabout African art
YOUNGSTOWN -- Al Bright, art professor at Youngstown State University, speaks on "The Vitality of African Art and Afrocentric Entertainment" at the second annual open house and dinner of the Africana Studies Program on Saturday in YSU's Kilcawley Center.
The event begins with a reception at 6 p.m. followed by a dinner featuring African and black American food at 6:30 p.m. Cost is $20 per person. Call (330) 742-3097 for more information.
Hearing to focuson food licensing fees
AUSTINTOWN -- A public hearing will be at 2 p.m. Dec. 30 at Mahoning County Board of Health offices, 50 Westchester Drive, Suite 107, on proposed changes to food licensing fees.
The hearing was set in response to new state requirements mandating an annual review of license fees for food service operations and retail food establishments.
The fees will apply to all areas of the county except Youngstown, Campbell and Struthers, which have their own health boards.
No fee increases are proposed.
Local fees range from $136 to $766, depending on the classification and size of the establishment or operation.
More than half of local operators will see their fees decrease or be eliminated because of exemptions, said Rick Setty, director of environmental health.
Mail theft charge
CANFIELD -- An East Liverpool man appeared in Mahoning County Court in Canfield Wednesday night to hear charges that he stole mail from the U.S. Post Office branch here.
Robert Reed, 27, faces 50 felony counts, including receiving stolen property, forgery and theft. The case most likely will be sent to a county grand jury and then transferred to court in Boardman, because one of the victims of the thefts was a relative of Canfield Judge Scott Hunter.
Reed is being held in Columbiana County on unrelated charges.
Police said Reed confessed the thefts when he was arrested late last week. Officers also found in Reed's home mail and checks taken from mail.
Reed used checks and credit cards taken from the mail, police said.
Tax billing nets $3M
YOUNGSTOWN -- More than $3 million in delinquent property taxes was collected during a special third billing cycle offered by the Mahoning County Treasurer's Office.
The money will be distributed to schools and municipalities within the county.
The billing was in addition to tax bills regularly mailed in February and July.
Internet fraud probe
BOARDMAN -- Township police are investigating several cases of Internet fraud involving sales from a township business.
Police reports say people from California, New Jersey and North Carolina purchased wine from a Boardman business Aug. 13 to 20 this year. The customers either received nothing, colored water, grape juice or Boone's Farm wine. Total price paid was $1,709.
First Night volunteers
YOUNGSTOWN -- Orientation sessions for First Night Youngstown volunteers will take place in the next two weeks.
Volunteers must attend one of the sessions. The first will be at 5 p.m. Monday. The second will be at 7 p.m. Dec. 18. Both will be in the Realty building downtown at 20 Federal Plaza East.
Volunteers will get a free admission button to the family-oriented New Year's celebration, a First Night shirt, free parking and an invitation to a recognition party in January.
Volunteers are needed during December and for day and evening events Dec. 31. Call the First Night office at (330) 742-0445 for more information.
Campbell schools
CAMPBELL -- The school board will have an open forum to interview candidates to replace Ted Cougras, who resigned last month before moving from the city, at 7 p.m. Monday in the Campbell Memorial High School cafeteria. A special meeting to appoint the new board member will take place immediately after the forum.
Synchronized swimming
McDONALD -- McDonald High School Royal Swan Club will present a synchronized swimming show, "Rock 'n' Roll Swan Style," at 7 tonight and at 7 p.m. Friday and Saturday at the high school pool, 600 Iowa Ave. Admission is $3.