Bishop urges donations for Rescue Mission

Bishop urges donationsfor Rescue Mission
YOUNGSTOWN -- Bishop Thomas J. Tobin of the Catholic Diocese of Youngstown has issued a challenge to the community to donate turkeys and money to the Rescue Mission of Mahoning Valley.
The diocese contributed $500 Friday to the mission for the mission's hunger program. Linda Sherrard, the mission's director of public awareness, said earlier this week donations and supplies are down.
CSEA workersto resume picketing
WARREN -- Striking workers from Trumbull County Child Support Enforcement Agency will return to picket lines Monday after an all-day bargaining session Friday failed to produce an agreement.
Talks also are scheduled to resume Monday, which starts the strike's fifth week.
Health benefits continues to be the major sticking point between the county commissioners and the 55 members of American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees Local 3803, said Mark Carlson, the union's staff representative.
The county wants workers to begin paying a percentage of their health-care premiums, something they have not had to do in the past. The commissioners intend to ask the same of the other eight unions that participate in the county's health-care plan, as well as the 447 nonunion employees, said James Keating, the county's director of human resources.
Zoning variance OK'd
SHARON, Pa. -- The city zoning board of appeals has granted a variance to a Farrell man allowing him to open a restaurant and lounge in the former Veterans of Foreign Wars hall at 395 E. Budd St.
Lorenzo Styles is also seeking the transfer of a liquor license from the city of Farrell to the Sharon location and city council is expected to address that issue Monday.
The location is in a multifamily residential district and a variance was needed for the operation of a restaurant and lounge, said Frank Smeraglia, city code enforcement officer.
Sentenced for robbery
WARREN -- A 19-year-old Warren man has been sentenced to five years in prison after pleading guilty to an aggravated robbery charge.
Eddie Burke entered the plea Friday in the courtroom of Judge W. Wyatt McKay of Trumbull County Common Pleas Court. Prosecutors said Burke robbed an 85-year-old city man at gunpoint May 3.
Identity theft
NORTH LIMA -- Lt. Brian Girts of the Ohio State Highway Patrol will speak on identity theft at this month's Beaver Township crime watch meeting at 7 p.m. Tuesday in the activity room at Shepherd of the Valley, 9111 Sharrott Road.
Extra police patrols
LORDSTOWN -- Police patrols will be increased here next week through Nov. 26 in an effort to reduce holiday crashes and to enforce other traffic laws, especially speed and seat-belt violations.
The effort is being funded with a grant from the federal government and the Ohio Department of Public Safety.