Prayer vigil is planned for the Asente family

Prayer vigil is plannedfor the Asente family
GIRARD -- A prayer vigil for the Asente family will be at 6 p.m. Friday in St. Rose Church.
Rich and Cheryl Asente of Sioux Trail have been involved in an interstate custody battle to keep 4-year-old Justin.
Justin's biological parents, Regina Moore and Jerry Dorning of Kentucky, want him back after agreeing to give him up for adoption by the Asentes.
The case will be heard Feb. 11 by the Kentucky Supreme Court.
The family's legal expenses have reached $500,000.
Contributions may be made to the Asentes' legal aid fund at P.O. Box 53, Niles 44446.
New police chief named
WEATHERSFIELD -- Township trustees named Capt. Joe Consiglio to replace Police Chief Sam Pagano, who is retiring at the end of this month. Consiglio will earn $45,415 annually. The appointment came at a meeting Tuesday.
David Pugh, township administrator, said township officials will decide within the next few months whether to fill the captain's position from within the department or to look outside.
Officers issue citations
GIRARD -- City police issued 21 traffic citations during a recent push to reduce speed-related accidents and enforce seat-belt use.
During the 28-hour period, officers issued seven citations for speeding, six for seat belt violations, one for driving under suspension and seven others.
Depicting black history
WARREN -- In honor of Black History Month, the Trumbull County Chapter of the American Red Cross has made note cards and posters depicting powerful images created by Damballah Dolphus Smith for the African American HIV/AIDS Program.
Smith drew on the rich legacy of African art and ancestry to illustrate six proverbs from African countries.
The cards are available in packs of 12 for $10, and posters are six for $20. To order, call (330) 392-2551.
Work on Pa. Route 18will cause travel delays
HERMITAGE, Pa. -- Motorists are advised that work on the widening project on state Route 18 (North Hermitage Road) will cause traffic flow problems later today.
The Pennsylvania Department of Transportation said a waterline will be relocated in front of the driveway to Artman Elementary School between 7 tonight and 6 a.m. Thursday.
Traffic will be maintained but there will be lane restrictions and delays during this nighttime work.
Police charge woman
SHARON, Pa. -- Police have charged a Greenville woman with burglary, theft, criminal trespass and access device fraud.
Cindy Jo Redmond, 41, of North Maysville Road, was picked up by Pennsylvania State Police in Crawford County overnight on a Sharon warrant and turned over to Sharon authorities around 4:30 a.m. today.
Police said she used an ex-boyfriend's Visa card to charge $600 worth of merchandise Oct. 17 and 18 and, on Dec. 4, broke into his North Oakland Avenue home and stole several sets of collectible coins. She faced arraignment today.
Council makes a changeto official's position
WASHINGTONVILLE -- Taking advantage of a new law, village council has changed the position of village clerk/treasurer to that of fiscal officer.
Village Solicitor Richard Shelar said the Legislature passed the bill, which took effect in January, to allow municipalities to waive residency and election requirements. He said the Legislature recognizes that small communities often have difficulty filling its government posts.
The new law allows the fiscal officer to be appointed by council rather than elected, and the person does not have to live in the community they serve, he said.
Shelar said Jean Nocera, longtime village clerk/treasurer, lives in neighboring Leetonia and was appointed to the post when no one filed to run for it. She is the fiscal officer.