Police warn residents about utility scam

Police warn residentsabout utility scam
GIRARD -- Police are warning residents to use caution and common sense before allowing people into their homes who claim they are utility company workers.
Capt. Frank Bigowsky said two men recently told a homeowner they were from the water company and needed to look inside her home. While one created a diversion, the other went inside and took $750.
Bigowsky suggested residents get the identification number of utility company representatives and then check with the company before allowing entry.
The Better Business Bureau should be contacted before allowing a private company to do home improvements.
Quality crafters sought
LIBERTY -- The township is looking for quality crafters to participate in the Liberty Fall Fest 2001 at Church Hill Park at Interstate 80 and state Route 193. There is a $10 space fee; no public admission will be charged. Call (330) 539-4204 or (330) 759-1315.
CHIP explanation
GIRARD -- There will be a public meeting at 6:30 p.m. Tuesday in council chambers to explain the fiscal year 2001 Community Housing Improvement Program (CHIP). Guidelines, target areas, eligibility requirements and application process will be explained.
The city has received a $550,000 grant for home improvements, upgrading of rental properties and first-time home buying.
Saturday for Kids
CHAMPION -- One-day workshops for kids are being offered by the Workforce Development and Continuing Studies Center at Kent State University Trumbull Campus.
The new Saturday for Kids program meets from 9 a.m. to noon, Sept. 29 to Nov. 3.
Each session is open to students in a particular age group and lessons include measurement, local flora, arts and crafts, things that fly, history walk and guts and goo. Call (330) 675-8809 for more information.
Fatal motorcycle crash
YOUNGSTOWN -- Kevin Dougherty, 44, of Atkinson Avenue was killed when his motorcycle, traveling at excessive speed, crashed around 1 a.m. Sunday on the Himrod Avenue expressway, just moments after he left Interstate 680 southbound, reports show.
His passenger, Christine Gibson, 37, of West Wood Street, Lowellville, was taken to St. Elizabeth Health Center, where her condition wasn't available today.
Dougherty's motorcycle hit a guardrail, went airborne, then struck a tree, said Detective Sgt. Rick Hart of the accident investigation unit. Gibson was thrown from the bike about 50 feet past the guardrail. Hart said the speed was more than 70 mph in the 50 mph zone.
Youth leadership
YOUNGSTOWN -- Applications for the Youth Leadership Mahoning Valley Class of 2002 will be available to high school sophomores with leadership potential this month and next month. The program teaches students about the major systems of the Mahoning Valley and helps them develop effective working relationships with its leaders.
Participants complete a six-month program, including a two-day opening retreat in December and six monthly daylong sessions on issues of concern to the community.
The issues include health care, social services, education, local history, media, the arts, business opportunities, government, criminal justice and quality of life.
The program, for which tuition is $125, ends with a graduation dinner in May. Partial tuition assistance is available based on need. Call (330) 742-6716 for applications.
Vacant house torched
SHARON, Pa. -- Firefighters say a vacant house was set on fire Saturday morning. Flames were spotted in the kitchen area at 423 Quimby St. at 8:33 a.m. Firefighters were able to contain the damage to the kitchen, and there were no injuries.
The name of the homeowner was not available from firefighters.
Stealing steel?
YOUNGSTOWN -- It appears two skids of strip steel weighing more than 5,400 pounds and valued at $2,400 were stolen from Cold Metal Products Inc., 45 S. Montgomery Ave.
A traffic coordinator at the mill told police that a yellow box truck picked up the steel between 11:40 a.m. and 12:20 p.m. Friday. According to police reports, however, the company the truck driver claimed to work for did not dispatch a driver to collect the load.