Southington schools

Southington schools
SOUTHINGTON -- Pupils and school board members will work together to construct a new dress code. The code is antiquated, school officials said, and needs to be updated. For example, the dress code now says thongs aren't permitted to be worn by pupils. Thongs referred to casual footwear when the code was written, but today thongs also can mean undergarments, board members said.
The board again approved an agreement that high school seniors can participate in graduation ceremonies with their class if they didn't pass their proficiency tests. The students, however, must sign an agreement saying they will continue studying for the test until they pass it.
Grand jury indictments
CLEVELAND -- A federal grand jury has indicted two men on bank robbery charges and two others on drug charges.
Sylvester Ray Jr., 43, who was listed as living at a Liberty motel, is charged with robbing Key Bank, 3198 Belmont Ave., Liberty, of $2,395 on Feb. 27.
A two-count indictment charges Paul B. Goist, 34, of West State Street, Alliance, with robbing FFY Bank, 3516 Meridian Road, Austintown, of $1,710 on Nov. 10 and with robbing Farmers National Bank, 29053 State Route 62, Damascus, of about $1,750 on Nov. 17.
Charged with distributing crack cocaine on Feb. 16 are Charles Lamont Walker, 39, of Lexington Avenue, and Jason Clark, 18, of Hillman Street, both Youngstown.
Walker also is charged with being a felon in possession of a firearm.
Political endorsements
YOUNGSTOWN -- Democrats of the 17th District, a political organization with about 300 members, has endorsed the challengers in the races for Youngstown council president and municipal court judge.
The organization selected Patrick E. Lowry over council President Charles P. Sammarone, who defeated Lowry in the 1997 council president's race.
The group supports Anthony J. Farris, an assistant city prosecutor, over Judge Robert A. Douglas Jr.
The 17th District group's other endorsements:
* Youngstown Mayor George M. McKelvey.
* Struthers council President Michael G. Orenic.
* Struthers Treasurer Thomas Sweder.
* Struthers Councilmen Robert D. Carcelli, Ronald M. Mathews and Dexter A. Hollen.
* Paul Bayus for Struthers 1st Ward councilman. The 1st Ward seat is being vacated by Danny Thomas Jr., who is challenging Orenic.
* Bert R. Cene Jr. for Struthers 2nd Ward councilman over incumbent Mark A. Sandine.
Seeking applicants
YOUNGSTOWN -- The search is on for Mrs. Youngstown 2001. The winner will compete in the Mrs. Ohio International Pageant June 2.
The pageant, established in 1985 to acknowledge the contributions of married women and to promote the ideals of marriage, family and community stewardship, recognizes women who make a difference in their communities through service to schools and civic organizations.
It is open to married women ages 21 to 56.
Winners are chosen based on a personal interview, platform issue, fitness and evening wear competition.
Entry deadline is May 1. There is no entry fee for the Mrs. Youngstown competition; the Ohio pageant fee is $495.
For more information visit www.mrsohio.com, phone (419) 244-1811 or fax (419) 867-1486.
Entries for Mrs. Youngstown should include a short biography, contestant's date of birth, date of marriage and a recent photo.
Agency receives grants
YOUNGSTOWN -- Mahoning Valley Dispute Resolution Services has received grants of $2,500 from the Youngstown Foundation and $1,000 from Abe and Leona M. Adlert to be used as matching funds for a grant from the Ohio Department of Development Housing Trust Fund, which addresses housing needs for low-income families.