Sledding still banned at Mosquito Lake park

Sledding still bannedat Mosquito Lake park
BAZETTA -- Sledding is off limits this winter at Mosquito Lake State Park. The winter activity was banned two years ago after a sledder was hit by a car on state Route 305. The ban was largely ignored, but now the Army Corps of Engineers says that areas close to the dam will remain closed. Slopes near the dam have been closed since Sept. 11. The areas will be marked off until further notice. Winter activities that will be permitted in some areas are ice fishing, snowmobiling and cross-country skiing and camping. Call the park office at 637-2856.
Bricks availablein school fund-raiser
MECCA -- Maplewood School District is building a pathway to the future.
For $50, individuals, families and businesses can have their names inscripted on a red brick that will be part of the courtyard that links the high school gym and a new school entrance.
Proceeds will benefit Maplewood Athletic Boosters, which has raised nearly $3,000 so far to buy uniforms and equipment, and to pay for field maintenance and other expenses.
Larger bricks are available at a higher cost.
Call a booster club member, including Lynn Young, who can be reached at 924-2084.
Car accident
CORTLAND -- A 14-year-old girl who was helping to move cars at her Greenbrier Road home about 8 p.m. Thursday crashed into a garage and another car. Two cars and the garage were damaged, firefighters said.
Trumbull deputy beatenin a Youngstown bar
YOUNGSTOWN -- A Trumbull County deputy sheriff was treated at St. Elizabeth Health Center for facial injuries after a fight around 2:30 a.m. Thursday at Ernie McDougal's bar on Rayen Avenue.
Police found John Tatarka, 23, of Austintown lying on the dance floor with blood covering his head and face.
A witness told police that he overheard two of the North Side bar's bouncers say that they wanted to beat up Tatarka because he is a cop.
Tatarka was hit with a beer bottle and punched, according to reports.
Lordstown board
LORDSTOWN -- Mayor Arno Hill is looking for a village resident to serve on the board of public affairs. There were two vacancies to be filled in the November elections, but only one person filed petitions, leaving one seat vacant. The board administers the water department.
YSU to showcase itsdental study program
YOUNGSTOWN -- The Dental Hygiene Program at Youngstown State University will sponsor an open house and tour for prospective students from 4:30 to 6 p.m. Wednesday in room 1112 of Cushwa Hall on Lincoln Avenue. The two-year program leads to an associate degree in applied science. Contact Bonnie Winters, department of dental hygiene, at (330) 742-1767.
Food Stamp changes
YOUNGSTOWN -- The Ohio Hunger Task Force, in collaboration with the Youngstown State University Social Work Department and Mahoning County Help Hotline Crisis Center, is offering a free training session to social service professionals and agencies in Mahoning, Trumbull and Columbiana counties regarding changes in food stamp program regulations. The workshops are at 10 a.m. and 12:30 and 1:30 p.m. Dec. 4 at YSU.
Fowl play for the birds
WASHINGTON, Pa. (AP) -- A Washington County couple say their lawn ornament was a victim of fowl play.
Jack and Connie Frazier's plastic goose disappeared in May and returned just as suddenly on Monday.
The real mystery is where the goose was in the interim.
The Fraziers started receiving ransom notes in July.
The first, postmarked from Steubenville, demanded $303 in cash.
A similar letter from St. Petersburg, Fla., three weeks later included three black plastic feathers as proof that kidnappers had the goose.
A final letter last month contained a snapshot of the goose -- its legs bound with yellow rope and a blindfold over its eyes.
The hand of a man was pointing a gun at the goose's head.
The globe-trotting goose apparently made one more stop. It was wearing a Hawaiian lei when it reappeared.
Connie Frazier, 63, wasn't overjoyed by the reunion. "I never did like that thing," she said.