Mahoning bomb threats

Mahoning bomb threats
YOUNGSTOWN -- Several bomb threats were phoned into government buildings in Youngstown this morning.
The first came into Mayor George M. McKelvey's office, caused the evacuation of city hall offices around 10:30 a.m. The caller said the bomb would detonate within 30 minutes.
The bomb squad was called to check the building on West Boardman Street. Civilians left, but most police remained in the building, said Capt. Dave Williams, turn commander.
The second came at 11 a.m. to the Mahoning County Courthouse; a third at 11:09 a.m. to the county jail; then a fourth, at 11:14 a.m., to the county annex, said Maj. Michael Budd of the sheriff's department.
The courthouse and annex were evacuated, not the jail, he said.
Classroom closed offfor probe into powder
SHARPSVILLE, Pa. -- Sharpsville Area School District officials closed off a fourth-grade classroom at the Seventh Street Elementary School after a teacher noticed a suspicious white substance in the room.
Dr. Derry Stufft, superintendent, said the material appeared to be fuzz from a tissue box. It was found next to the box Wednesday morning, he said.
The district activated its emergency response plan and the room was evacuated and the children instructed to wash their face and hands. Police were notified and the Mercer County Hazardous Materials Team was called in.
The team cleaned up the substance and said the room was ready for use again, but Stufft said it will remain closed while tests are done on the substance to determine exactly what it is.
The pupils will attend class in another room, he said.
The district sent a letter home to parents Wednesday explaining what happened. Stufft said there is a "very, very, very low-grade chance" that the substance found is harmful.
Austin Woods donates
AUSTINTOWN -- The residents and staff at Austin Woods Health Care Center, 4780 Kirk Road, recently donated $150 to help the families of firefighters killed in the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks.
"A number of the residents at Austin Woods are veterans of World War II or other wars," said Cheryl Palkovic, assistant director of the activities department. "They were upset by the terrorist attack and wanted to do their part to help the families of the victims. So, we placed residents' names on stars for every donation made. We placed the stars on windows in our snack bar and soon filled up four windows."
The donation was presented to William O'Hara, Austintown assistant fire chief, during a music program. The money will be sent to the New York City Fireman's Relief Fund.
Thiel scholarship
GREENVILLE, Pa. -- Thiel College will create a four-year, full-tuition scholarship to benefit children who lost a parent or guardian in the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks.
Dr. Lance A. Masters, president, said one Sept. 11 Endowed Scholarship may be awarded each year, beginning with the fall 2002 academic year. The current value of the scholarship is $46,752.
Anyone interested in contributing to the scholarship should contact John Hauser, executive director of development, at (724) 589-2022.