Training flights

Training flights
VIENNA -- Local military training flights for the 910th Airlift Wing at the Youngstown Air Reserve Station will resume Monday, said Brigadier Gen. Michael F. Gjede, commander of the unit. Cross-country missions resumed Friday. Other military units also use the local airspace, so residents should not be alarmed if they notice low-flying aircraft near the Ravenna Training & amp; Logistics Site, for example. The 910th has not been called up for active duty but continues to remain under a high level of security.
Dam accesses closed
The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers has closed access to the dam at Shenango River Lake in Mercer County, Mosquito Lake in Trumbull County, and Berlin and Michael Kirwan reservoirs in Mahoning County, in light of the terrorist attacks in New York City and Washington, D.C.
A spokeswoman said the Mahaney Recreation Area at Shenango, which provides the only land access to the dam, was closed Tuesday as were the Shenango Recreation Area, boat launch and campground.
The Shenango areas were reopened to the public as of Friday but the Mahaney area remains closed until further notice, the spokeswoman said. Shenango, a flood control dam, was built in the late 1960s.
At Berlin, the fishermen's access area at the dam and the Millcreek Recreation Area are closed.
At Mosquito, the tailwater fishing area, Mosquito picnic area and Lakeview recreation area are closed.
Bereavement therapy
YOUNGSTOWN -- The Light of Hope Bereavement Center at Hospice of the Valley, 5190 Market St., will sponsor a bereavement gathering from 10 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. Sept. 22 for those whose grief process has been affected by the tragedies in New York City and Washington, D.C. Bereavement Coordinator Dawn Mitchell said such a tragedy can compound grief because it represents another major loss. Registration is not required.
Red Cross benefit
LIBERTY -- Teen-agers in the AZA youth group at the Youngstown Jewish Community Center and students from Liberty High School will hold a carwash to raise money for the American Red Cross' efforts to help victims of Tuesday's terrorist acts. The carwash will be from 1 to 5 p.m. Sunday at the One Stop Mart at Logan Avenue and Church Hill Road.
Children's fund set up
INDIANAPOLIS, Ind. -- The Kiwanis International Foundation has created the 911 Victims' Children's Fund to assist the children of the terrorist attack victims.
Donations will be used to provide aid and support to children who lost parents in Tuesday's terrorist attacks. Kiwanis International Foundation will work with Kiwanis clubs in the affected areas to identify those children in greatest need.
Tax-deductible donations can be sent to: Kiwanis 911 Victims' Children's Fund, 3636 Woodview Trace, Indianapolis, Ind. 46268-3196, or by calling (800) KIWANIS.
For more information, visit the Kiwanis Web site at www.kiwanis.org and click on 911 Victims' Children's Fund. Kiwanis International is a service organization made up of 8,300 service clubs in 76 nations.
Buttons for sale
AUSTINTOWN -- Students in Tammy McClurkin's special-education class at Austintown Middle School are selling patriotic buttons. The buttons, which were created by the pupils, are available for $1. To buy a button, call Austintown Middle School at (330) 797-3900.
Rock hall event
CLEVELAND -- The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and Museum has postponed the 2001 American Music Masters Program that was scheduled next week. It was to be a tribute to blues artist Bessie Smith. Terry Smith, rock hall president and CEO, said the tragedy of Tuesday's terrorist attacks and uncertainty over air travel for performers and guests caused the postponement. Ticket holders should keep their tickets until the event is rescheduled.
Firefighters' families
NEW CASTLE, Pa. - The International Association of Firefighters Local 160, which represents city firefighters, is collecting money to help families of New York City firefighters who died. More than 300 New York City firefighters are still missing, said Local President Tom Bulisco. Checks should be made payable to the New York City Firefighters' Relief Fund and sent to the local at P.O. Box. 982, New Castle, Pa., 16102.
To light torch
SHARON, Pa. -- Mayor Robert T. Price said he plans to light the holiday torch in downtown Sharon on Monday in honor of the firefighters and police who lost their lives in in New York City.
The torch, held aloft by a 10-foot-tall cherub on West State Street across from Veterans' Walkway, is normally used to signify the start of the Christmas holiday season.
It was a gift to the city from businessman James E. Winner Jr. and figures prominently in an annual Light Up Night celebration each November.
The city supplies the gas for the torch, and Price said he intends to have it lighted Monday and allow it to burn for 30 days in memory of those who gave their lives trying to help others.
Disaster Relief Fund
SHARON, Pa. -- Pleasant Mortgage of Hermitage has teamed up with the Mercer County Chapter of the American Red Cross to create the Mercer County-American Red Cross Disaster Relief Fund. Joe Christoff, president and owner of Pleasant Mortgage, donated the first $1,000 to the fund to aid in the relief efforts in New York City and Washington, D.C. He has asked fellow business associates and friends to do the same. Donations can be made payable to the American Red Cross Disaster Relief Fund and can be dropped off at Pleasant Mortgage at 39 Ellis Ave., Hermitage, or the Red Cross office at 247 S. Oakland Ave.
Firefighters donations
YOUNGSTOWN -- The Youngstown Fire Department is accepting donations through Sept. 23 for the families of New York City firefighters.
People with donations, preferably checks, can drop them off at any city fire station between 8 a.m. and 4 p.m. everyday, including weekends, said Dave Cook, president of the International Association of fire Fighters Local 312.
After Sept. 23, the donations will be sent to the New York Fire and 911 Relief Fund, Cook said.
Flags for free
YOUNGSTOWN -- Members of the Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 6488 are giving away 100 American flags for residents to display. Post Commander Morris Tucker said the flags came from the Wa shington, D.C., VFW and are part of a shipment used to decorate graves of local veterans. The 100 flags were extras. Morris said the post, at 2065 Coitsville-Hubbard Road, will be open daily from noon to 9 p.m. through Monday, or call (330) 746-8259 for information.
Fund for victims
The Youngstown/Mahoning Valley United Way, and the United Way organizations of Lawrence, Mercer, Trumbull and Northern Columbiana counties are helping launch a crisis-response effort with United Way of America. The national organization has established a "September 11th Fund" to help victims of Tuesday terrorist attacks. Mail donations to the "United Way September 11th Fund," 2 Park Ave., New York, NY 10016 or to the United Way of the National Capital Area, 95 M St. SW, Washington, D.C. 20024. To reach the New York office, call (212) 251-4035. To reach the Washington office, call (202) 488-2060. For further details, visit the agencies' Web sites at www.uwnyc.org or www.unitedwaynca.org.
Salvation Army collects
YOUNGSTOWN -- The Salvation Army local citadel at 1501 Glenwood Ave. is collecting donations of bottled water, nonperishable food items and money at the request of Salvation Army workers on the scene of the World Trade Center attacks in New York City. Checks may be made payable to World Trade Tower Relief or to the Salvation Army with the designation Disaster Relief. The citadel will accept donations weekdays from 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. More than 1,200 Salvation Army volunteers from northeast states have 20 disaster relief canteens in service in New York City. They have served more than 200,000 meals, sheltered 180 emergency workers, and provided counseling and spiritual support to staff and victims' families. Nearby, Salvation Army workers have also responded to the terrorist plane crash in Somerset County, Pa., and two canteens have served between 200 and 1,500 meals per day at the Youngstown-Warren Regional Airport. Reach the local citadel at (330) 746-8403. Donors may also contribute by mailing donations to P.O. Box 5847, Cleveland, OH 4410, calling (866) 429-8888 or visiting www.neosa.usaeast.org.
Prayer service crowd
NEW CASTLE, Pa. -- With six ministers participating, more than 300 people, many of them downtown office workers, crowded into First Christian Church on Kennedy Square for a prayer service at noon Friday for the victims of terrorism. The Rev. Gary R. Crowe, First Christian's pastor and president of the Greater New Castle Ministerial Fellowship, urged the congregation to pray for the victims for 10 minutes daily at noon through Oct. 11. "The most important thing is that people spend time in prayer and get back to their faith. God can help us through the worst of times and this is the worst of times," he said.
Safety equipment
NEW CASTLE, Pa. -- A Pittsburgh businessman who lives in Neshannock Township is calling for local businesses to donate safety and first aid-related items for the disaster relief effort in New York City. John Matarazzo, president of Miller Safety and First Aid Supply, and Matthew T. Mangino, Lawrence County district attorney, are coordinating the drive. Matarazzo's company has donated hard helmets, gloves, goggles and rain gear for the rescue workers and urges others to contribute more of these items. A company employee driving a van provided by Preston Motors here will take the donated items from Lawrence County to New York. Those wishing to participate are asked to call the district attorney's office to make arrangements.
In Lawrence County
NEW CASTLE, Pa. -- Expressions of patriotism were numerous at the Lawrence County Courthouse after the terrorist attacks. It took Marilee Micacchione, a clerk in the prothonotary's office, only five minutes to sell out 25 black lapel ribbons with superimposed red, white and blue stripes bearing the letters USA. She collected $1 for each of them to be donated to the American Red Cross disaster relief effort. American flags from the Lawrence County Veterans Affairs Office were distributed at the courthouse Thursday and Friday. Courthouse employees emerged at 1 p.m. Friday to pledge allegiance to the flag and sing "God Bless America," outside the building's main entrance.
Grocery stores collect
YOUNGSTOWN -- Giant Eagle and Tops Friendly Markets grocery chains said customers may donate to the American Red Cross Disaster Relief Fund and other organizations helping in the wake of Tuesday's terrorist acts. Interested customers should inform the cashier of their intention to donate.
Tops and its parent company, Ahold USA, will match the money collected, up to $1 million. Giant Eagle said it is donating $50,000.
Slippery Rock program
SLIPPERY ROCK, Pa. -- "Reflections," a free multi-art presentation by students and faculty at Slippery Rock University in honor of those killed or injured in Tuesday's terrorist attacks, will be staged at 8 p.m. Monday in Swope Music Hall. The progam will include performances by the university's chamber singers and flute and gospel choirs.
Waiting for a call
AUSTINTOWN -- Ken Flood, a student teacher at Paul C. Bunn Elementary School and a Marine Corps reservist, talked to his fifth-grade pupils Friday about the possibility of being called to active duty. Flood, 24, of Rush Boulevard, Youngstown, said he explained that he is on standby because President Bush, in response to the terrorist attacks, has signed an order to deploy reservists. Flood is a member of the Marine Corps landing support battalion based in Vienna. He said he told the pupils that reservists devote one weekend each month and two weeks each summer to training.
Items for rescuers
SALEM -- The Salvation Army of Salem is collecting items for use by those involved in the rescue, recovery and cleanup effort at the site of the New York terrorist attack.
Donated items can be brought to the Salvation Army's facility at 1249 N. Ellsworth Ave. Drop-off times are 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. Monday through Friday and from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday.
Items requested include dust masks, flashlight batteries, bottled water, nutrition bars, hand sanitizer, work gloves, new towels and blankets, bottled water and nonperishable food items. Volunteers also are being sought to help sort and pack collected items. Contact the Salvation Army at (330) 332-5624.
Cure race postponed
CLEVELAND -- The Race for the Cure scheduled for Sunday has been postponed indefinitely. The race at University Circle was to raise funds for the Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation.
Candlelight vigil
WINDHAM -- We the People, Windham, Ohio, an association of concerned citizens who banded together following terrorist attacks on the United States on Tuesday, will hold a candlelight vigil at the Windham Monument on North Main Street at 8 p.m. Sunday..Participants are asked to bring their own candles.
Trumbull Red Cross
WARREN -- The Trumbull County Chapter of the American Red Cross, 661 Mahoning Ave., will remain open from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. today and Sunday. The Red Cross' national headquarters mandated that the local chapter remain open to field any community needs.
For more information call the local chapter at (330) 392-2551.