Dispatchers' pact OK'd

Dispatchers' pact OK'd
YOUNGSTOWN -- City council accepted a fact-finder's recommendations Friday and authorized a three-year contract with 15 full-time dispatchers in the city's 911 center, who had accepted the recommendations earlier in the day. The contract, retroactive to Jan. 1, provides for 4-percent annual pay raises, plus 30-cent-an-hour raises annually for the dispatchers, who averaged $11.50 an hour at the end of the previous contract. Under state collective bargaining law, council had to vote on the fact-finder's recommendations, which were issued Monday, within seven days. The dispatchers are members of the Ohio Patrolmen's Benevolent Association.
Convicted in drug case
WARREN -- A 34-year-old Newton Township man has been convicted of possession of drugs and tampering with evidence. A Trumbull County jury deliberated two hours Friday before convicting Michael Fabian on the two charges. The jury began hearing Fabian's case Wednesday in the courtroom of Judge Andrew Logan. Atty. Charles Morrow, an assistant Trumbull County prosecutor, said Fabian -- who was trying to receive drugs through the mail until drug enforcement agents intervened -- could receive up to 13 years in prison. Fabian's sentencing is scheduled for Tuesday.
Swim classes canceled
NILES -- Learn to Swim lessons scheduled for Monday to July 27 at Waddell Pool in Niles have been canceled because the program director was in an automobile accident. American Red Cross, Trumbull County Chapter, encourages parents to register their children in the Learn to Swim program scheduled for July 30 to Aug. 10 at Willow Lake in Champion. Registration is July 25 at Willow Lake. For more information, call (330) 392-2551.
Sex-case conviction
NEW CASTLE, Pa. -- A city man has been convicted of rape, involuntary deviate sexual intercourse, aggravated indecent assault and corruption of minors. Louis Regna, 43, Lower Cunningham Avenue, is facing up to 70 years in prison and an $85,000 fine. He is to be sentenced in August by Lawrence County Common Pleas Court Judge Dominick Motto. Authorities said Regna had sexual contact with an 11-year-old girl between April 1998 and January 1999. His first trial ended in a hung jury in August 2000.
Bus driver competes
GREENVILLE, Pa. -- Dennis Shank, a driver for Anderson Coach & amp; Travel, took third place overall in the American Bus Association's International Coach Classic Driving Championship held recently in Biloxi, Miss. The 27 drivers in the national competition had won regional championships earlier. Shank, who lives in Greenville, had second-place finishes in the competition in both 1999 and 2000.
Clerks plead innocent
YOUNGSTOWN -- Clerks at the F & amp;N Market on Shehy Street and Erie Food Market on Erie Street pleaded innocent Friday in municipal court to selling alcohol to underage customers. Police said they used the services of underage witnesses in response to complaints about illegal sales. Vice cops said Rami Dayen, 24, of South Truesdale Avenue sold beer to the witness at the F & amp;N about 4 p.m. Thursday. Tahgreed Ali, 34, of East Auburndale Avenue, is accused of selling beer to the cooperating witness about a half-hour later. Dayen and Ali were released on their own recognizance.
Panel to donate funds
MERCER, Pa. -- The Mercer County Behavioral Health Commission Inc. is giving money to community organizations involved in substance-abuse prevention and intervention activities. The Minority Health Advocacy Committee of Sharon Regional Health System will get $7,000 to support its anti-drug activities. The Prince of Peace Center in Farrell will get $7,000 to help pay for transitional housing programs used by Behavioral Health Commission clients who are returning to the community from long-term substance abuse treatment centers. The Sharpsville Police Department will get $3,000 to help support a coalition started in that community to combat underage drinking.
Conference on airships
AKRON (AP) -- Delegates to an international conference will discuss ways that airships can move beyond their role as an advertising tool.
"I'm convinced there is a bigger future for airships," Gregory Gottlieb, chairman of the conference, said Friday.
About 180 delegates from 13 nations are expected at the five-day conference, said Cary Dell, a Lockheed Martin employee. The meeting begins Sunday.