Local dancers on show

Local dancers on show
YOUNGSTOWN -- Youngstown's Judy Conti Dancers tapped their way into the living rooms of morning television viewers Friday when they appeared briefly on NBC's "Today" show.
Dance instructor Judy Conti Katsaras spoke briefly at about 7:05 a.m. while her students danced outside the "Today" studios on Rockefeller Plaza. Katsaras could not be reached to determine why the dancers were in The Big Apple.
Naming of highway
ELLWOOD CITY, Pa. -- The Pennsylvania Department of Transportation officially named the section of Pa. Route 288 from Hillside Avenue in Ellwood City to Mercer Road in Franklin Township the Dr. Aaron and Dr. Milton L. Caplan Highway.
The physician brothers have a combined 107 years of medical service in Ellwood City. Dr. Aaron Caplan practiced medicine until his death in 1998, and Dr. Milton Caplan is still working as a doctor. A short ceremony was held Friday commemorating the naming of the highway.
Burglary in Sharon
SHARON, Pa. -- Sharon police are investigating a house burglary, and Hermitage police said someone cut a hole in the roof of a drugstore in their city but took nothing.
Sharon police said someone got into a home in the 200 block of Bentley Avenue sometime Wednesday night by pushing in a plastic window in a garage door. A small color television set and some costume jewelry were taken.
Hermitage police said the person who tried to break into the Medicine Shoppe Pharmacy at 956 N. Hermitage Road Wednesday night apparently left empty-handed. A hole was cut through the roof but apparently no one went inside. An employee found the hole when reporting for work Thursday, police said.
Apartment fire
WHEATLAND, Pa. -- A pot left on a stove caused a smoky fire that briefly routed residents of Buchanan Manor, 73 Mercer Ave., from their apartments at 1 p.m. Friday. Fire Chief Andrew Clarke said the fire was quickly extinguished.
The fire was in a third-floor unit of the apartment complex for senior citizens.
Sentenced for fraud
CLEVELAND -- A federal judge has sentenced Deborah Toda-Bogan, 43, of Shady Avenue, Sharon, Pa., to 30 months in prison for bank fraud.
Toda-Bogan, who pleaded guilty April 19, must also pay $414,841 restitution. While employed last fall as an accountant and bookkeeper by Sheldon Gantt Inc., a construction company in Niles, she executed a scheme to divert 13 checks to herself, the government said.
New charges
CLEVELAND -- Russell J. "Champ" Saadey of Austintown and James A. Vitullo of North Jackson, previously charged with racketeering crimes, were arraigned Friday in U.S. District Court on a superseding indictment that added new charges to Saadey only.
Both pleaded innocent and remain free on $100,000 bond. Trial is set for Oct. 2.
Beekeepers groupto meet in mid-July
LISBON -- Ever want to know more about beekeepers? Well now you can. The public is invited to join the Columbiana-Mahoning County Beekeepers Association at 1 p.m. July 15 at Blueberry Hollow Farms at 6600 Lusklock Road.
If weather permits, there will be open hive and "bee beard" demonstrations. Guests are encouraged to bring a covered dish for the lunch at 1 p.m. The meeting begins at 2 p.m.
For more information, contact Ben and Karen Ambrose at (330) 227-2449.