Woman sentenced

Woman sentenced
PITTSBURGH, Pa. -- Cynthia Smith, 43, of Hamilton Avenue, Farrell, will spend the next six months under home detention for using another person's Social Security benefits for herself.
Smith pleaded guilty Jan. 11 in federal court to one count of conversion of Social Security benefits by a representative payee.
United States District Judge Donetta W. Ambrose sentenced Smith on Friday, and also sentenced her to five years' probation and ordered her to repay the $69,789 she admitted taking. Officials said Smith was the representative payee for her grandfather, Frank Smith, which meant she could receive and cash his monthly Social Security benefit checks on his behalf.
Frank Smith died in 1991 but Cynthia Smith continued to cash Social Security checks that came for him, officials said. She cashed 97 checks between December 1991 and January 2000 for a total of $69,789.
Students' art on display
COLUMBIANA -- Paintings and sculptures by Columbiana High School students are on display today through Saturday at the Columbiana Public Library. The 11th annual CHS art exhibit includes original works from oil painting to papier-m & acirc;ch & eacute; that have been created and arranged by Pat Almasy's art students. The library is at 332 N. Middle St. Hours are 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. Monday through Friday and 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday.
Spring cleanup set
LEETONIA -- Spring cleanup in the village will be May 13-17 and May 20-24. Residents may put out leaves, grass clippings, tree and shrubbery trimmings and other yard waste. Leaves and grass clippings must be bagged. Trimmings must be small enough for employees to handle and stacked with branches in the same direction rather than in a pile. The event is intended for yard cleanup only. Village employees will not haul away any furniture, appliances, tires or junk.
Zoning board to meet
LEETONIA -- The village zoning board of appeals will meet at 7 p.m. Thursday at village hall to discuss a variance request from Berean Christian Fellowship Church. The congregation seeks a conditional-use permit to use the old south side school at the corner of Pearl and Lisbon streets as a church.
Spring-cleanup details
NEW MIDDLETOWN -- BFI Waste System Inc. will be conducting a spring cleanup in New Middletown Village on May 8-9. This clean up will be for all residents who are BFI customers.
BFI will accept all items except: whole tires, refrigeration units, free flowing liquids, automotive parts, broken concrete, dirt, tree limbs over 36 inches long or seven inches in diameter.
Any single item in excess of 70 pounds will not be accepted. Carpeting must be tied and bundled in lengths not to exceed 4 feet. If you have questions, call (330) 542-2846.
Girl Scouts plan parade
NILES -- The Girl Scouts of Lake to River Council will celebrate the 90th anniversary of Girl Scouting on Sunday with a parade. The parade begins at 1 p.m. with units lined up on Highland, Ohio, Pleasant and Victor avenues. The route will head east on Warren Avenue, south of Chestnut Street, east on West Park and north on Main Street. After passing Federal Street, the units will disperse onto Franklin, Madison, Woodland and Helen avenues. The parade will include Girl Scouts, representatives of community organizations, firetrucks and other vehicles. Girls and adults born March 12, the Girl Scout birthday, will be honored. Contact the Girl Scout office at (330) 652-5877 for more information.
Money seminar
GIRARD -- Parishioners and guests of St. Rose Parish are invited to attend a free money management seminar on the topics of debt management and asset management at 7 p.m. May 9 in the St. Rose Rectory Hall.
Discussion on debt management will instruct on how to consolidate or reduce your debt and lower your total monthly outlay, and asset management will address learning how to supplement your retirement plan and learning how to prepare for your child's future.
For additional information, contact Ric Genova at (330) 793-5678.
9 to be arraigned
YOUNGSTOWN -- One woman and eight men arrested in three drug raids over the weekend were expected to be arraigned today in municipal court. Members of the police department's vice squad made four arrests Friday at 834 N. Garland Ave. on the North Side, two arrests at 555 Carroll St. and three arrests at 343 W. Warren Ave., both on the South Side.