Appointment announced

Appointment announced
YOUNGSTOWN -- Wallace Dunne has been named interim superintendent of schools for the Catholic Diocese of Youngstown. Dunne is a 36-year veteran of the diocesan schools and is currently the director of government programs for the diocese. The appointment by Bishop Thomas J. Tobin follows Dr. Nicholas Wolsonovich's departure to become superintendent of Catholic schools in the Archdiocese of Chicago.
Lordi seeks probation
YOUNGSTOWN -- Former Mahoning County commissioner Frank Lordi has asked to be released from prison on shock probation. Lordi, 55, of Canfield Township, went to prison June 1 to begin serving an 18-month sentence for theft in office. The sentence was imposed in 1999 but Lordi was allowed to remain free while he appealed. Visiting Judge Mark K. Wiest, who presided over Lordi's trial and sentencing, will rule on the request.
Research grant for YSU
YOUNGSTOWN -- Youngstown State University has received a $120,580 grant for biochemical research. The grant comes from the National Institute of General Medical Sciences of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. The research involves specific types of enzymes and chemical reactions, said Jeffrey Smiley, project director and a YSU associate professor of chemistry.
Probation violation
AUSTINTOWN -- A 42-year-old North Redgate Lane man who called police about a stolen bicycle is in Mahoning County Jail on a warrant for a probation violation, police said. George A. Ripple called police at 9:30 a.m. Saturday to report the theft of his green Huffy 18-speed mountain bike from his front yard. During a routine background check, police said they discovered Ripple had a probation violation related to a driving under the influence charge.
Vandalism at park
CANFIELD -- Mahoning County deputy sheriffs are investigating reports of vandalism at McCune Baseball Park on Shields Road. The Canfield Baseball Club's president told police that he found trash cans and three portable toilets at the field had been knocked over Saturday. The club president told police that he has had several problems with vandalism at the field.
Boat stolen
BERLIN -- A boat was stolen while in the water in the Berlin Reservoir near the Aspen Mill Creek campgrounds Sunday evening. The Akron man who owns the boat told deputies that he tied it to some rocks at about 7 p.m. He returned at 11:30 p.m. to find that his boat was gone.
Police search for man
AUSTINTOWN -- A Kerrybrook Drive woman told police she saw a man with his pants down Monday morning in the Wedgewood Plaza parking lot on South Raccoon Road. The woman said she was driving through the parking lot at 11:30 a.m. Monday when she saw the man facing the trash bins near Competitive Edge. Police searched the area but could not find the man.
Burglary at business
CANFIELD -- Police are investigating a report of burglary at Lifetime Truck Products on West Main Street. Someone entered the fenced-in business Sunday night or early Monday and stole a grinder, grinding pads, a torch and a cordless drill.
Board hires principal
BELOIT -- The West Branch School District is turning to a Lorain educator to serve as new high school principal. The school board agreed Monday to hire Joseph Knoll, his age not immediately available, for the post. Knoll is receiving a three-year contract with an annual starting pay of $71,091. He is replacing Michael Bostick, who retires Wednesday. Knoll's most recent job was as assistant principal at Lorain Middle School in Lorain. Knoll received his bachelor's degree from Mount Union College and his master's from Ashland University.
Benefit garage sale
HUBBARD -- K-9s for Compassion will have a garage sale in Harding Park on Friday from 10 a.m. to 8:30 p.m. The park is off state Route 616 on the south edge of town. The group provides animals to visit area nursing homes, hospitals and schools and to assist in therapy.
Indecency charge
BOARDMAN -- A 25-year-old Florida man was arrested and taken to Forum Health Northside Medical Center for evaluation after police found him nude and running near Atty. Samuel G. Amendolara's office on Boardman-Canfield Road. Police requested that the man get dressed, but he refused. He was charged with public indecency.