Paying back funds

Paying back funds
WARREN -- A state audit found that Med Star EMS & amp; Transportation Inc. overcharged Medicaid $27,921 between Jan. 1, 1998, and March 31, 2001.
The Warren-based ambulance company is repaying the money in installments. It made its first, $9,000 payment last month.
The overcharges resulted from duplicate bills being sent to Ohio Department of Jobs and Family Services, which administers the Medicaid program, the audit released by the Ohio State Auditor's office says.
Zoning change OK'd
MINERAL RIDGE -- The Weathersfield Township Zoning Commission approved a zone change Wednesday from Residental-A to Residential-B at 3197 Main St.
Gus and Ingrid Lyras requested the zone change for the house on the property, which had a mother-in-law apartment added to it in the 1970s.
Residential-A zoning is for a single family use, but Residential-B is for both single family use and two-family homes. The Lyrases want to be able to use the house as a duplex. Zoning inspector Sherri Craver said there was no opposition to the request, which was approved by the commission by a 4-0 vote, with one member absent.
Removing decorations
MINERAL RIDGE -- Township residents are being asked to remove any loose flower or seasonal decorations that are sitting on the ground from graves at all three township cemeteries before Monday, when township crews will begin clearing the graves.
Township administrator David Pugh said residents are being asked to remove decorations from Christmas and Easter, and anything that is not planted.
Decorations will be removed so crews can mow grass at Kerr Cemetery, Welsh Hill and Ohltown Cemetery.
Cleaning up litter
MINERAL RIDGE -- Weathersfield Township Trustee James Stoddard is organizing a township litter cleanup April 27 in conjunction with the Trumbull-Geauga Solid Waste District.
Residents interested in participating should be at the township administration building, 1451 Prospect St., at 9 a.m. for the litter pickup, which will continue until noon.
Stoddard said trash bags will be supplied to volunteers, who will also receive small gifts provided by the Trumbull-Geauga District.
Breakfast fund-raiser
MINERAL RIDGE -- The Mineral Ridge Township Fire Association will sponsor a fund-raising Pancake Breakfast from 6 a.m. to 10 p.m. April 27 and 28 at the Mineral Ridge Fire Station, 3588 Main St. It will coincide with the Soap Box Derby on Seaborn Street sponsored by the Greater Youngstown Area Soap Box Derby. The breakfast will feature french toast, sausage, juice and coffee at a cost of $2 for children $4 for adults.
Opening bids for work
SOUTHINGTON -- Township trustees approved advertising for bids for the street chip and seal program will open the bids May 22. They announced scrap tire collection will be from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. June 8 at town hall. Limit will be eight tires per vehicle.
Charged in robbery
WARREN -- Police have arrested a 24-year-old Mahoning Avenue man on two counts of robbery. Lance E. Dorsey was arrested at 1:40 a.m. today after police found him in the parking lot of Giant Eagle, Mahoning Avenue. Reports state that Dorsey held two women at gunpoint around 1:30 a.m., while they were sitting in their car in the store parking lot. The women ran inside the grocery store and reported the robbery. A deputy sheriff, city police and Warren Township police were able to find Dorsey in the parking lot.
Animal cruelty case
WARREN -- A 33-year-old Roberts Avenue woman, who pleaded no contest to animal cruelty charges, was sentenced to 45 days in jail. Trudy Johnson, who cried during the proceedings in municipal court, was accused of leaving a puppy in a bathroom for two months without food or water. The puppy, a 6-month-old chow mix, died, court officials said.
Considering plant site
SALEM -- The Ohio Power Siting Board soon will consider a request by a Charlotte, N.C., company to install a $600 million power plant in either Center or Salem townships. The matter is on the panel's Monday agenda. Cogentrix Energy Inc.'s first site choice is off St. Jacob-Logtown Road in Center Township. The alternative site is along state Route 45 in Salem Township. The company wants to start the two-year construction period this summer. Once finished, the gas-fired plant would employ about 30 people full time.