Christmas programs

Christmas programs
EAST PALESTINE -- Two children's Christmas programs at East Palestine Memorial Public Library, 309 N. Market St., will be at 4:15 p.m. Thursday and 6:30 p.m. next Tuesday. Registration is required for a Christmas craft program Thursday for children 6 to 12. Next Tuesday's event is a program of Christmas stories and music and is open to all ages. For more information or to register for the craft program, call the library at(330) 426-3778.
Couldn't wait for Santa
SALEM -- A 3-year-old Salem boy is safe and sound today after being found wandering alone. He told authorities he had gone toy shopping. A motorist brought the youngster into the police station around 11:40 p.m. Monday after discovering him walking in the middle of East State Street near the east side commercial district. The youngster was dressed in pajamas and a jacket but no shoes. He had been spending the night with his grandmother who lives on the 200 block of Roosevelt Avenue, which intersects with East State. After everyone was in bed, the boy got up and left the house undetected to go toy shopping, police determined.
Perry trustees meeting
SALEM -- Perry Township trustees heard from a local couple regarding the constant barking of dogs at the Salem Humane Society facility. Trustees promised to contact society officials and try to remedy the problem. In other matters at their meeting Monday, trustees reappointed Jim Newman and Ed Butcher to five-year terms on the zoning appeals board and zoning board, respectively. Trustees also gave 3-percent pay raises to all full-time employees of the road department and police force.
Meeting change
COLUMBIANA -- Columbiana Schools Board of Education meets at 5:30 p.m. Dec. 19 in the high school library. This is a change from the regular meeting date.
Development loans
NEW CASTLE, Pa. -- Developers now have access to low-interest state loans once given only to industrial development corporations. Linda Nitch, director of the Lawrence County Industrial Development Corporation, said this is good news for developers looking to build industrial and office space. The program through the Pennsylvania Industrial Development Authority, a division of the Commonwealth's Department of Community and Economic Development, allows real estate developers to obtain low-interest loans to finance construction, renovation or acquisition of facilities that will house two or more business tenants. Eligible tenants for a multi-tenant building using PIDA money include manufacturers, industrial businesses such as warehouses and distribution, and research and development companies. Nitch said the Lawrence County Economic Development Corporation is available to help any developers wanting to apply for a loan through this program.
Charged in thefts
NEW CASTLE, Pa. -- Pennsylvania State Police said two West Virginia men are accused of stealing thousands of dollars' worth of merchandise from two Mercer County stores. They were arrested at 2 p.m. Sunday at the Union Township Wal-Mart, police said Monday. According to police, James L. Neely, 31, and Billy Joe VanScyoc, 31, both of Moundsville, W.Va., had in excess of $5,000 worth of stolen merchandise from the Wal-Mart and Lowe's stores in Hermitage, Pa., in their car. Police said they also found a map that marked several Wal-Mart stores and other retail stores in the tri-state area that appear to have been either past or planned victims of retail theft involving both men. Both men were arraigned by District Justice James Reed. They both face charges of retail theft, receiving stolen property and conspiracy to commit retail theft. Police said Neely is also wanted in Allegheny County on a retail theft charge. Neely is in Lawrence County jail; VanScyoc is free on bond.
Treated for stab wound
YOUNGSTOWN -- A 22-year-old South Side man told police he was stabbed with a steak knife at a house on Pasadena Avenue by a woman he used to date.
Police were called to interview the victim at St. Elizabeth Health Center, where he was being treated for a stab wound to the lower stomach. The Cameron Avenue man said he knew only the woman's first name and that she is in her 20s. He would not give further details.