Moody's gives Trumbull highest credit rating

Moody's gives Trumbullhighest credit rating
WARREN -- For the first time, Moody's Investors Service has assigned its top credit rating of AAA to Trumbull County, concurrent with the county's issuance of $10 million in general obligation bonds and sale of $6 million in notes, said county Auditor David A. Hines.
Moody's attributed the rating to the county's history of market success, growing and sizable tax base, satisfactory financial operations with moderate reserves, and an increased, though manageable, level of debt.
The new bonds will retire six bond anticipation note issues that funded courthouse and administration building renovations, the new 11th District Court of Appeals building, a new sanitary engineering office, purchase of a fingerprint identification system and water system improvements.
The general obligation notes will fund a geographic information system purchase, an agricultural building upgrade and sewer improvements.
Tax help for elderly
BRISTOL -- Tax counselors with Volunteer Tax Assistance and Tax Counseling for the Elderly will offer their assistance at the Bristol Public Library from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. April 2 and April 9.
Free tax aid is available for individuals age 60 or older, those who cannot afford professional tax assistance, the disabled and others who have special needs. Those who want assistance should bring this year's current tax forms and preparation booklet; a copy of their last year's taxes; and W-2 and W-2p forms.
Many tax forms and publications are available at the library. Copies are 10 cents. For more information, call 330-889-3651.
Tobacco crackdown
HUBBARD -- Mayor George Praznik says city police will be issuing citations to juveniles caught with tobacco products. The mayor said Thursday that police have been issuing warnings and will begin issuing the misdemeanor citations in two to three weeks under a new state law. Offenders can be fined up to $100 and possibly lose their driver's license.
School calendar
McDONALD--The new calendar for the 2001-2002 school year for McDonald Local Schools sets the start of classes for teachers on Aug. 23 and for students on Aug. 27. The last day of school for teachers will be June 6 and June 5 for students.
Deer herd declines
BOARDMAN -- A recent infrared scan of the Hitchcock Woods section of Mill Creek Park shows the deer population at 59, down from 200-plus in some earlier counts.
A third controlled bow hunt in the park ended Jan. 28. Hunters took 21 deer this year.
Officials have said Hitchcock Woods can handle no more than 20 to 30 deer.
Raid nets 2 arrests
BOARDMAN -- Two men were arrested in a raid on a Shields Road apartment just after 10 a.m. Thursday.
Calvin C. Roby Sr., 49, of 123 Shields Road, is charged with aggravated drug trafficking, and Dennis M. Welsh, 43, of North Dunlap Avenue, Youngstown, was arrested on a warrant for failure to appear in Youngstown Municipal Court on an unrelated theft charge.
The raid culminates an undercover investigation of several months by the Boardman Police Narcotics Enforcement Unit.
Sgt. Michael Hughes, the unit supervisor, said officers had to use a sledgehammer to break through Roby's apartment door because it was fortified with a steel bar.
Student art exhibit
SHARON, Pa. -- Penn State Shenango is holding a student art exhibit now through May 6 in the Lecture Hall Study Lounge, 147 Shenango Ave. More than 40 works of art are on display.
Donation box stolen
FARRELL, Pa. -- Police said a donation box was stolen from Fatima Church at 601 Roemer Blvd. on Thursday. The box disappeared between 5 and 9 a.m., and police said they are looking for a man seen loitering around the church after morning mass. He was described as a light-skinned black man about 5 feet 5 inches tall and wearing dark clothing.
Thiel receives grant
GREENVILLE, Pa. -- Thiel College has received a $6,760 grant from the Aid Association for Lutherans. The money is a match for gifts given to Thiel by AAL members. The fraternal-based society matches gifts of $25 to $100 made by its members to Lutheran schools, colleges and seminaries.