Board seeks advice on Traficant candidacy

Board seeks adviceon Traficant candidacy
WARREN -- The Trumbull County Board of Elections has asked county Prosecutor Dennis Watkins to give a legal opinion on whether James A. Traficant Jr.'s name can appear on the Nov. 5 general election ballot as an independent candidate for Congress in the new 17th District.
The status of Traficant's candidacy has been thrown in doubt by his recent incarceration in a Pennsylvania federal prison.
The board also decided Tuesday to send a letter asking advice from Secretary of State J. Kenneth Blackwell.
Blackwell has previously said he will not offer an opinion on the matter.
Fire at group home
MESOPOTAMIA -- Firefighters from three area departments were able to get a fire at Hopewell Inn, a group home for the mentally ill, under control in about 30 minutes.
Crews from Mesopotamia, Bloomfield and Farmington townships were called to the fire at 7:30 p.m. Tuesday. There were no injuries reported.
Reports say a resident smoking cigarettes in a closet was a possible cause.
Woman's suit targetsfire chief, district
WARREN -- A Newton Township woman has filed a lawsuit against the Newtown Township Joint Fire District and its former chief, saying the chief should not have been paid for his duties.
Mildred Antolini of Newton-Tomlinson Road Southwest filed the suit Tuesday in Trumbull County Common Pleas Court. No hearing date has been set.
The suit contends George Prelac, who is also a Newton Township trustee, served as district fire chief from July 1 to Dec. 31, 1999. The suit says he was paid $4,837.98, but contends state law allows a trustee to serve as fire chief as long as he does not receive compensation.
Antonili is asking that the money be returned to the fire district treasury.
Prelac declined to comment.
Celebrating teddy bears
CORTLAND -- To celebrate the 100th birthday of the teddy bear, Marcy's Hallmark Shop will have a "Teddy Tennial" beginning at 1 p.m. Sunday under a tent in the store parking lot. Visitors can bring their favorite teddy bear and participate in a teddy bear contest.
There will be winners for oldest, largest and the smallest teddy bears.
The store is at 421 S. High St., which is state Route 5.
Eastwood YMCA haskids' sports programs
NILES -- The Eastwood YMCA is offering soccer and flag football programs for young people ages 5 to 14.
Signup for soccer, which will be played at Churchill Park in Liberty, runs through Aug. 17.
There will be a meeting of soccer coaches at 7 p.m. Aug. 15. Cost is $40 for nonmembers and $25 for members.
Signup for football starts Aug. 26 and runs through Sept. 14. A coaches meeting is set for 7 p.m. Sept. 19. The cost is $40 for nonmembers and $25 for members.
Football will be played at the Eastwood Y.
Also on tap are swim classes for home-schooled children up to 16.
That 10-week session will be Thursdays from noon to 12:45 from Sept. 12 through Nov. 14. Call Paula at (330) 399-7468 for more about the swim lessons.
Traffic enforcement
NILES -- Police here are conducting traffic enforcement in targeted areas on weekends during August.
Extra officers will be on patrol during random periods Thursday through Sunday.
They are focusing on speeding, seat-belt violations and child-restraint violations.
Man suffers partialamputation of his feet
SHARON, Pa. -- Conrad H. King, 46, of South Irvine Avenue, was in stable condition today in Sharon Regional Health System after suffering partial amputation of his feet when he tried to jump onto a freight train passing behind his home.
Police said they found King sitting near the railroad tracks shortly after 5 p.m. Tuesday. He told them he slipped and the wheels ran over his feet. Police said King didn't explain why he was trying to get onto the train.