Teen dies at home

Teen dies at home
YOUNGSTOWN -- Cheryl Houser, a 15-year-old South Truesdale Avenue girl who had been hospitalized recently, died this morning at home and the Mahoning County coroner's office removed her body, police said.
The girl's grandmother found her unresponsive and not breathing about 5 a.m. The coroner will determine the cause of death, police said.
Democrats to meet
POLAND -- The Democrats of the 17th District, a Mahoning Valley political organization, will meet at 6:30 p.m. Oct. 16 at the Poland Community Baseball Association hall on Sheridan Road.
Governor appoints two
COLUMBUS -- Gov. Bob Taft has appointed two Mahoning County residents to governor's councils.
George Martinek of Youngstown was appointed to the Governor's Council on People with Disabilities for a term ending Aug. 19, 2004.
That council works with employers to locate and develop employment opportunities for disabled people. Martinek, a consultant for the Americans with Disabilities Act, received a bachelor's degree from Central State College and a master's degree in education from Kent State University.
Fawn E. Walls-Allison of Boardman has been appointed to the Governor's Advisory Council on Physical Fitness, Wellness and Sports for a term ending Dec. 31, 2002. Ms. Allison is director of the Women, Infants and Children nutrition program in Mahoning County.
Vaccinations at Thiel
GREENVILLE, Pa. -- Thiel College and VaccessHealth are offering student vaccinations against meningococcal meningitis from 1 to 7 p.m. Wednesday in the Howard Miller Student Center.
VaccessHealth is a provider of adult immunization programs.
The vaccination isn't mandatory, but students, particularly freshmen, are encouraged by the college to receive a shot. There is an $85 fee for the vaccination.
Thiel will also be providing flu shots that day.
Meningococcal meningitis is a potentially fatal bacterial infection that causes inflammation of the membranes surrounding the brain and spinal cord.
Abstinence program
VIENNA -- Teen Straight Talk, a nonprofit educational organization that encourages teens and young adults to consider the social, spiritual and physical benefits of abstinence, will have an open house from 1 to 8 p.m. Oct. 16 at TST's new office and learning center at 1393 Youngstown-Kingsville Road.
TST has been active in the Mahoning and Shenango valleys for 12 years. Many of the organization's goals for 2001-02 will be made through student assemblies, peer counseling, and parental and educator workshops.
For more information, call TST at (330) 539-6040 or e-mail the organization at SexualAbstinence @aol.com. Mary L. Duke is TST executive director.
Man shot in shoulder
NEW CASTLE, Pa. -- An 18-year-old man walking on East Long Avenue was shot in the shoulder.
Police said David Perrine of 1130 S. Mill St. told them an older blue sedan was traveling east and when it approached him, he heard a gunshot at 11:30 p.m. Saturday.
Perrine was taken to St. Francis Hospital by a relative who lived nearby. Police said the injury was minor.
Halloween party
GIRARD -- St. Rose Church Youth Ministry students in grades 7 through 12 and the Girard Fraternal Order of Police are sponsoring a Halloween party from 11 a.m. to noon Oct. 27 in the St. Rose School gym for area children up to age 12.
Teen members of the youth ministry are donating candy and will decorate the gym and act as hosts for the party.
There will be prizes, treats and music by the Girard High School Band.
Call Samuel J. Rose at (330) 545-4351 or Carmel Paolone (330) 545-1216.