St. E's: Rumor is false

St. E's: Rumor is false
YOUNGSTOWN -- Contrary to rumors, no resident doctor at St. Elizabeth Health Center was fired and turned over to the FBI for making inappropriate remarks about terrorist attacks in New York and Washington, D.C., according to a memo faxed to The Vindicator. The hospital wanted to report all the facts to employees via the memo, said Chris McCarty, director of communication.
Patrols around mosque
YOUNGSTOWN -- The Islamic Mosque at 1670 Homewood Ave. has requested periodic checks by police. In response to the request made Thursday, Police Chief Richard Lewis assigned a patrol car to check the area every half-hour and a sergeant to check every hour.
Racial slurs alleged
GIRARD -- A 46-year-old Niles man has been accused of making racial slurs against a convenience store operator of Arab descent.
Walter J. Krezeczowski Jr. of North Glenwood Avenue was charged Thursday afternoon with aggravated menacing.
Sami Sahle told police Krezeczowski walked into his North State Street store Tuesday afternoon after the terrorist attacks and made racial comments toward him. Sahle told Krezeczowski not to patronize the store.
A municipal court spokeswoman said an arrest warrant will be issued today for Krezeczowski.
Memorial ceremony
STRUTHERS -- A candlelight ceremony in remembrance of those killed in the terrorist attacks will precede tonight's Struthers-Rayen football game at Struthers Stadium. Fans and players will receive candles, which will be lighted at 7 p.m.
Telethon planned
YOUNGSTOWN -- News Channel 33 and ClearChannel radio will simulcast a telethon from noon to 7 p.m. Saturday to raise money for the victims of Tuesday's terrorist attacks. The money will be added to a relief fund established by WYTV and First Place Bank.
Half shifts at GM
LORDSTOWN -- Workers at General Motors' Lordstown Assembly Plant are working half shifts today because of the National Day of Prayer declared by President Bush. John Mohan, shop chairman of United Auto Workers Local 1112 said the plant is scheduled to resume normal operations Monday.
Few attend forum
YOUNGSTOWN -- A public forum to discuss terrorism in the aftermath of Tuesday's attack, in DeBartolo Hall at Youngstown State University on Thursday afternoon, didn't attract much attention from students. About 10 students sat through the hour-long discussion sponsored by Campus Ministry programs. About 25 faculty members and concerned citizens attended the event.
Blood donations needed
BOARDMAN -- Despite collecting more than 3,200 units of blood since Tuesday in northern Ohio, officials of the American Red Cross Northern Blood Services Region say the need for blood is ongoing. Officials said our area has an optimum, three-day supply of blood in all blood types and request that people donate over the next few weeks, rather than the next few days. The Mahoning Chapter of the Red Cross is scheduled to collect monetary donations and sign up new volunteers at the Southern Park Mall's main concourse from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. Saturday and 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Sunday.
The blood drawing scheduled for 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. today at YSU's Metro College at the Eastwood Mall will now be held at the Eastwood Expo Center at the site of the Fall Home Remodeling and Decorating Show. Those donating blood will be admitted to the exhibition free.
Red Cross drive
SHARON, Pa. -- The Mercer County Chapter of the American Red Cross has expanded its emergency blood drive to help those injured in the terrorist attacks in New York City and Washington. Those wishing to donate can visit Sharon High School on East State Street between 11 a.m. and 5 p.m. Sunday or the Keystone Blind Association on Stambaugh Avenue between noon and 6 p.m. Tuesday. A spokeswoman said blood isn't the only thing the Red Cross needs. Monetary donations are also important, and checks should be made out to the American Red Cross Disaster Relief Fund and can be mailed or delivered to the chapter office at 247 S. Oakland Ave., Sharon, Pa. 16146.
Warren prayer service
WARREN -- A prayer service is being planned for 4:30 p.m. today on Courthouse Square to answer President Bush's call to make today a day of "prayer and remembrance." The Warren G. Harding High School choir is scheduled to perform, and an ecumenical group of religious leaders will attend, said state Sen. Tim Ryan, D-32nd. He is organizing the event with Warren Mayor Hank Angelo.
Honoring fellow officers
CAMPBELL -- City police officers have placed black bands around the badges they wear on their uniforms. Officer Ed Sharshan, administrative assistant to the chief, said officers wear the bands to memorialize police and firefighters who lost their lives responding to the World Trade Center tragedy in New York City. He said the bands also show support for emergency personnel still digging through rubble in the city and at the Pentagon in Washington, D.C. Also in Campbell, all full-time firefighters have committed themselves to assist in disaster relief if called upon, said firefighter Frank Kotsol. Mayor John E. Dill said the city would send firefighters if necessary.
Fraternal Order of Police Lodge 28 also has asked Youngstown Police Department officers to wear a black band on their badges. "As police we never know just where we will be called to at any moment. Let us be grateful that we did not receive that call," FOP President Patricia A. Garcar wrote in a letter to all members.
Complaints to police
STRUTHERS -- Police received five complaints Tuesday related to customers lining up at gas pumps in the wake of terrorist attacks in New York City and Washington, D.C., police reports show. At about 8:15 p.m., the owner of Rip's Tavern on Youngstown-Poland Road reported that vehicles were parked in his lot as they waited to get gas at a nearby station.
Less than 15 minutes later, officers were requested at Morgan Oil on Lowellville Road. At about 8:50, police received a complaint of a traffic jam at the Shell station at 5810 Poland-Struthers Road. An employee of the Fast Check Food Mart there called police at about 10:30 to report a fight. Officers discovered irate customers waiting at the gas pumps. Shortly before 10 p.m., the Kwik Fill on Youngstown-Poland Road reported to police that cars were lined up as employees were trying to close.
Gas prices stabilize
SHARON, Pa. -- Gas prices were back to normal Thursday at the FuelMart gas station on U.S. Route 62 in Brookfield Township. The station, at the direction of its corporate owners, raised prices twice Tuesday. Regular gasoline jumped from $1.55 to $1.99 per gallon during the course of the day. FuelMart is owned by Ports Petroleum Corp. Stan Goleb Jr., station manager, said the decision was made to lower the price back to $1.55 at 11 a.m. Wednesday after a nearby competitor did the same. Meanwhile, other stations in the Shenango Valley continued to hold their gasoline prices, and several reported getting in new supplies of fuel for their customers.
Firefighters volunteer
STRUTHERS -- Mayor Daniel C. Mamula said city firefighters have volunteered to assist with disaster relief in New York City and Washington D.C. Those who are trained in such efforts would be sent if needed, Mamula said. Other firefighters have offered to cancel vacations to fill any voids in scheduling that might result if the city does send personnel out of state.
Program change
CUYAHOGA FALLS -- Legacy, which planned to perform a family program Saturday at Blossom Music Center, has changed its purpose to a "Sacred Assembly" in the wake of Tuesday's attacks. The list of performers and speakers is also unknown due to air travel delays. Gates open at 10 a.m. Tickets are $15. Call (440) 746-2200.
Cruise canceled
YOUNGSTOWN -- New Beginnings Outreach Ministries has canceled the Gateway Clipper Dinner Cruise today, due to the terrorist attacks Tuesday. Refunds will be given next week. People should bring their tickets. For more information, call (330) 743-9910.
Program postponed
POLAND -- Holy Family Parish's garden guild has postponed its "Art in the Garden" program set for this Sunday. It has been rescheduled for noon to 5 p.m. Oct. 7. The event has been renamed "Gallery in the Garden: An Art Festival." It will also feature herbal teas and homemade pies.
VA facilities stay open
WASHINGTON, D.C. -- Secretary of Veterans Affairs Anthony J. Principi has directed the VA to adopt a special "continuity of operations" plan because of Tuesday's terrorist attacks. Under the plan, all VA facilities remain open to provide care for veterans and to provide medical backup when community resources are overwhelmed.
The VA's headquarters near the White House was evacuated Tuesday morning and key management personnel shifted to an undisclosed location.
VA facilities in northern Ohio include the Louis Stokes VA Medical Center, Brecksville, and Wade Park Medical Center, Cleveland; and outpatient clinics in Youngstown, Warren, East Liverpool, Akron, Canton, Cleveland, Lorain, Mansfield, New Philadelphia, Painesville, Sandusky and Ravenna.
Fund for victims
YOUNGSTOWN -- The Navy League of the United States has established a fund for military victims of Tuesday's attacks. The league is a 75,000-member civilian organization that supports sea services.
The Navy League Life Ring Fund will assist military victims and their families. Donations can be sent to Navy League Life Ring Fund, P.O. Box 656, Merrifield, Va. 22116-0656. More information is available by calling (800) 356-5760.
New Castle memorial
NEW CASTLE, Pa. -- A gold-framed picture of the Lower Manhattan skyline accompanied by a bouquet of flowers lies beneath a flagpole in the center of downtown's Kennedy Square as a makeshift memorial to the victims of terrorism at the World Trade Center. With the U.S. flag flying at half-staff above it, a hand-lettered cardboard sign attached to the picture urges passers-by to "Pray for Them."
Race to run as planned
CLEVELAND -- The Komen Race for the Cure will take place as planned Sunday at Wade Oval in University Circle. Officials of the Northeast Ohio affiliate of the Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation said they wanted to give the community a positive event to focus on in the aftermath of Tuesday's catastrophe. The race will incorporate a moment of silence and a performance of the national anthem before race events begin. Late registration is scheduled for 7 a.m.
Special service
AUSTINTOWN -- St. Anne Ukrainian Catholic Church will have a divine liturgy at 8:30 a.m. next Friday for those injured or killed in the plane attacks, and to comfort the distressed.
Courthouse on alert
MERCER, Pa. -- Mercer County Courthouse remains on high alert due to national terrorist attacks, although those entering the courthouse did not have to pass through a metal detector Thursday, as they did the previous two days. Gene Brenneman, county commission chairman, said Thursday that although the Mercer courthouse was not closed, only one entrance was open and those entering had to pass through metal detectors manned by deputy sheriffs. In addition, he said, 24-hour security has been increased. Commissioners also changed plans to conduct Thursday's meeting at Greenville High School because they felt they should stay close to the courthouse, Brenneman said.