Thursday, February 7, 2002
Suggestive movie
WARREN -- A Bloomfield High School educator responsible for putting a short, sexually suggestive movie onto a district computer will not face criminal charges. The teacher has already resigned, said Ernie Cook, Trumbull County Sheriff's Department chief deputy. "We have conferred with the prosecutor, and no charges will be brought at this time," Cook said. The students who saw the 15-second video clip, which Cook characterized as "inappropriate of a sexual nature," but not pornographic, found it on their own on a computer in a school lab, he said. The teacher was not present at the time, he said. Students informed school officials about the material last Friday, and the teacher resigned four days later.
Teachers prepared
WARREN -- Seven teachers from the city school district have completed a three-day workshop to help them identify at-risk students who might turn toward alcohol, drugs and violence. The free training is part of the Masonic Model Student Assistance Program offered by the Grand Lodge of Free and Accepted masons of Ohio. Participating teachers were Nicole Anderson, Candice Ungaro, Erin Kampf, Sherri Woods, Jennifer Suhovecky, Therese Foley and Gwen Brogdon. The program also helps educators intervene and reach children before they enter the criminal justice system. The program has received national acclaim since it was created in 1986, serving nearly 1,000 participants from more than 200 schools.
Postal boxes
HOWLAND -- Post office boxes are now available for rent at the new Howland postal substation, in the township government building on Niles-Cortland Road. The phone number for the substation is (330) 856-3514.
Mahoning River cleanup
WARREN -- Trumbull County commissioners have presented plaques to 16 local companies and organizations that contributed money to help clean up the Mahoning River. More than $36,000 has been donated in the last several months to help pay Trumbull County's share of the bill for the next phase of the project. The funds, combined with a similar amount of money from Mahoning County, will secure about $3 million from the state for a study of how the river cleanup should proceed, said Gary Newbrough, director of the Trumbull County Planning Commission.
Works to be on display
SHARON, Pa. -- The Women of Visions Inc. artwork display will begin Friday at the Valley Art Guild studio at 10 Vine Ave. The organization, based in Pittsburgh, is a nonprofit group founded in 1981 to advance the art of black women through self-promotion and education. The work of 14 members will be featured in the Sharon show, titled "Sepia-She, who is Brown." It will feature work in ceramics, painting, fiber and graphic arts. The show opens with a public reception from 7 to 9 p.m. Friday and will run through March 1. Gallery hours are noon to 4 p.m. Mondays and 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Tuesdays through Fridays. It will also be open from noon to 4 p.m. this Saturday only.
Window thefts
SHARON, Pa. -- Police are investigating the theft of more leaded-glass windows in the city. The city has had a rash of stained- and leaded-glass window thefts, and police said Wednesday that someone took four leaded-glass windows from a vacant house in the 100 block of Woodrow Court between Friday and Tuesday afternoon. A basement window was broken, and no neighbors reported seeing anything unusual, police said.
Family escapes fire
HERMITAGE, Pa. -- No one was injured in a fire that destroyed a mobile home at 745 Dutch Lane. Fire Marshal Robert Goeltz said the blaze started shortly before noon Wednesday on a couch in the home of Lawrence Schultz and Lisa Boyle. The couple and their young daughter were home at the time but got out safely, Goeltz said. The cause of the blaze was listed as accidental, and there was no insurance on the property, Goeltz said, noting that the family is being assisted by the American Red Cross.
House fire
NEW CASTLE, Pa. -- A house fire early today caused traffic to be rerouted around Pa. Route 65 from Pleasant View and Gardner Stop roads in Shenango Township. The blaze started just after 5 a.m. Firefighters could not be reached this morning for more details. Shenango and several nearby volunteer departments were called.