Mary Ellen Fiorino is queen of street fair
Mary Ellen Fiorinois queen of street fair
CORTLAND -- Mary Ellen Fiorino, 18, daughter of Pam and Mark Fiorino, is queen of the Cortland Street Fair.
One of the traditional opening events of the annual three-day fair, Thursday night's contest also saw Teresa Oakes, 18, daughter of Tina Marie and Grant Oakes III, named first runner-up, Jennifer Ryczko, 18, daughter of Amy and Mark Ryczko, second runner-up and Melissa Skrobut, 17, daughter of Bonnie Dycman and Edward Skrobut, Miss Congeniality.
There were 10 contestants. All are from Cortland and are either Lakeview High School students or recent graduates.
Tonight's entertainment features karaoke all evening, and Saturday's conclusion includes a parade at 6 p.m. and music until midnight.
The event is sponsored by the Lions Club
Fire chief's reminder
SOUTHINGTON -- Fire Chief Tom Strock is asking residents to keep their driveways clear of obstructions in case of fire.
He said a firetruck requires a clear space of about 12 feet wide and 12 feet high.
The trucks can park in the street if they are close enough to the structure, but in one instance, he said, a fire was 1,000 feet from the road and the firetruck couldn't get far enough up the driveway to be useful.
Sexual assault reported
WARREN -- A Clearview Drive woman reported to police Thursday that her 14-year-old niece was sexually assaulted. Reports do not say where or when the attack took place, and detectives were unavailable.
Roosevelt cafeteria
McDONALD -- Schools Superintendent Robert Bloniarz and treasurer Thomas Radabaugh are formulating recommendations for the board of education on making the elementary school cafeteria more cost-effective.
Radabaugh told the board this week the cafeteria fund at Roosevelt School last school year had to be advanced $40,000 to balance its account.
He said cafeteria use is declining, noting that it lost almost 50 cents on the dollar last year.
The cost of school lunches has not been raised since 1992, and the number of lunches served has fallen by 10 percent, he said.
On the plus side, Radabauagh said, the district realized a $2,750 profit from its Pepsi Co. vending machines. Those funds were donated to student organizations.
Civic center counsel
YOUNGSTOWN -- The board overseeing the proposed downtown civic center discussed Thursday the possibility of conflicts of interest among candidates to be the board's legal counsel.
Two candidates -- Manchester, Bennett, Powers and Ullman of Youngstown and Atty. Alden Chevlen -- each have connections to the city.
Manchester has done legal work for the city for years. Chevlen is director of downtown's redevelopment agency, which is funded by city government.
The board set interviews with the personnel committee for all four candidates. The closed interviews will be at 9:30 and 10:30 a.m. Tuesday and July 3 at board chairman Leonard Schiavone's law office.
McConnell's Mill events
PORTERSVILLE, Pa. -- "Weather Watch" will be presented at 2 p.m. Saturday in the Kildoo picnic area of McConnell's Mill State Park on U.S. Route 422. The program will focus on cloud formations and what causes tornadoes, lightning and thunder.
A Youth Environmental Learning Series program, "How Long Does Litter Last?" is at 1:30 p.m. Tuesday for 4- and 5-year-olds at the Kildoo ball field. A scavenger hunt follows.
"Where Does Garbage Go?" a program for children 6 to 8, will be at 1:30 p.m. Wednesday in the Kildoo picnic area.
Abduction case
NEW CASTLE, Pa. -- A woman charged with concealing the whereabouts of a child and interfering with the custody of a child has waived her right to a preliminary hearing.
Stephanie Atchley, 27, is accused of running off with her 11-month old son, Brandon, in March from the Super 8 Motel in Shenango Township.
The child's father, Don Sluder, has legal custody of Brandon and a second child, Amanda, 13. He left Brandon with Atchley for an overnight visit, and when he returned the next day both were gone.
Atchley faces similar charges in New Castle for the April disappearance of Amanda. Atchley and the two children were found in San Antonio, Texas.
District Justice David Rishel reduced Atchley's bond Thursday from $25,000 to $5,000.