Council votes OK on police contract

Council votes OKon police contract
CORTLAND -- City council voted 6-1 Monday to accept a three-year contract with police that gives the department's seven full-time officers a 4.5 percent raise the first and second year and a 5 percent raise the last year.
The contract expired July 1.
Council, meanwhile, will continue debating whether a 281-foot section of Pearl Street should be closed next to Cortland Elementary School. School officials want the road closed for pupils' safety.
The street is right next to the school's playground and pupils often cross the street during school hours and at recess.
Council is divided on the issue. Only one member, Deidre Petrosky, voted in favor of closing the road. Four council members voted against it and two abstained.
Law Director Patrick Wilson said the motion has not failed because five no votes are needed.
The issue will be discussed again at the next council meeting.
Warren FOP is hostfor NYC benefit event
WARREN -- All Trumbull County police agencies will have a benefit Oct. 14 to raise money for the World Trade Center Police Disaster Relief Fund.
The benefit will begin at 3 p.m. at Warren Fraternal Order of Police Lodge 34, 3303 Parkman Road.
A brief memorial service will be followed by a dance. Entertainment will include DJ John Angelo and local bands Mellow Crash, Encore and Big Daddy Burl.
Admission is $5. A cash bar will be available. A Chinese auction and a 50/50 raffle also are scheduled.
Those wishing to just donate can contact Warren Police Department at (330) 841-2506 or send a check to Warren FOP 34, P.O. Box 628, Warren 44481.
All donations are tax-exempt. The FOP's tax ID number will be provided upon request.
Robbery, shooting
WARREN -- Police are searching for the man who robbed the Dairy Mart, 1361 N. Leavitt Road N.W., and shot a clerk in the arm early today.
Police say a man wearing a mask and holding a handgun entered the business around 2:30 a.m.
The clerk gave up the money and after the robber fled, went outside, where the shooting took place.
Apartments for seniors
WARREN -- An open house Wednesday will give the public a chance to see a new apartment community for senior citizens.
The open house will be from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Tod's Crossing Phase II, 1330 Blakely Circle off Tod Avenue S.W. A ribbon-cutting ceremony will be at noon.
Sixty-four units are available for people 55 and older, of all income levels.
Supportive services include educational, spiritual and cultural programs, health and wellness, transportation, volunteer activities and housekeeping.
Sentenced for killing
WARREN -- A 40-year-old Parkman Road man has been sentenced to three years in prison.
Gary Smith pleaded guilty Monday to an involuntary manslaughter charge in Trumbull County Common Pleas Court.
Police say Smith stabbed Donald Dukes, 41, of Oak Street S.W. around 10 p.m. July 4 during a fight in front of 1135 Oak St. Dukes lived nearby at 1124 Oak.
Dukes later died at St. Joseph Health Center.
School gets grant
WARREN -- Notre Dame School, with four campuses in Warren and Howland, is $19,207 richer.
A grant from First Place Bank Community Foundation will enable the school to expand technology offerings for pupils in preschool to eighth grade.
The school serves 745 students.
The foundation formed in 1998 awards grants to improve the quality of life for communities, organizations and residents in the Mahoning Valley.
Burglary reports
YOUNGSTOWN -- Police responded Monday to two reports of burglaries in which 11 guns were stolen.
A 29-year-old Steel Street man reported someone broke into his apartment and stole 10 guns between 6 p.m. Sunday and 10 a.m. Monday.
They were three rifles, four .45-caliber pistols, a 9mm semi-automatic pistol, a .40-caliber semi-automatic pistol and a 12-gauge shotgun. Several magazines of ammunition also were stolen, along with $4,500 cash, two surf boards, a wet suit, a fax machine, CDs, a computer, a VCR, a digital camera, two televisions and tools.
A 67-year-old Hoffman Street man reported Monday that between 10:45 a.m. and 1:50 p.m., someone broke into his home and stole a .22-caliber revolver, a VCR, a wristwatch and diamond earrings.