United Way progress

United Way progress
NEW CASTLE, Pa. -- The Lawrence County United Way has reached 86 percent of its fund-raising goal. A United Way official said the agency has received $616,773 of the $720,000 goal. The drive will continue through the end of the year. The United Way funds 19 agencies in the county and provides anywhere from two to 60 percent of the operating budgets for those agencies. More than 100 programs that assist needy people are funded through Untied Way contributions. Checks can be sent to United Way of Lawrence County, 223 North Mercer St., New Castle, or call (724) 658-8528 to donate.
Anti-war rally
YOUNGSTOWN -- Those opposed to war in Iraq will begin marching at noon Tuesday from the rock in front of Youngstown State University's Kilcawley Center to the federal courthouses downtown. The protest march, which will be followed by a 12:30 p.m. downtown rally, is taking place on International Human Rights Day and is sponsored by Peace Action Youngstown and the Youngstown Student Peace Action Network.
YouthBuild home
YOUNGSTOWN -- YouthBuild of Mahoning County will cut the ribbon at 10 a.m. Wednesday at the home students have finished renovating at 2107 Ohio Ave. on the North Side. YouthBuild offers education, job training, counseling and leadership development to unemployed youths age 18 to 24. The students renovate dilapidated properties into affordable housing.
Facing drug charges
YOUNGSTOWN -- Two city residents face drug trafficking charges.
Dwayne Howell, 24, of North Truesdale Avenue, faces a felony marijuana trafficking charge after city police stopped him outside Jitzo's bar, 2032 McGuffey Road, shortly before midnight Friday, police reports show. Officers said they found a loaded handgun and 13 small bags of marijuana. Howell also faces two weapons charges and an open container violation.
Melissa S. Davis, 22, of Edwards Street, faces a felony trafficking cocaine charge after a traffic stop on West Princeton Avenue at about 12:45 a.m. during which police said they found six small bags containing suspected crack cocaine, police reports show. She also faces charges of marijuana drug abuse and a failure to appear in court on a driving-under-suspension charge.