Lawrence Co. DA joins anti-terrorism panel
Lawrence Co. DA joinsanti-terrorism panel
NEW CASTLE, Pa. -- Matthew Mangino, the Lawrence County district attorney, has been appointed to the Anti-Terrorism Task Force for the Western District of Pennsylvania.
The task force was created under the direction of U.S. Attorney General John Ashcroft immediately after Sept. 11.
The task force includes representation from all federal law enforcement agencies, local law enforcement, Federal Emergency Management Administration, the Pennsylvania Emergency Management Administrator and federal and local prosecutors. The group meets monthly in Pittsburgh.
Colorful sidewalks?Chalk it up to art
NEW CASTLE, Pa. -- Each child will get a box of chalk to decorate a slab of sidewalk as part of the Children's Summer Arts Festival at the Hoyt Institute of Fine Arts on Friday.
The "chalk-on-the-walk" contest is open to children ages 3 to 12, and Mayor Timothy Fulkerson will judge their work at noon.
The festival, which is set for 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., also will include kickboxing and gymnastics presentations. At noon, there also will be a 21-gun salute given by the New Castle Honor Guard. Jameson Memorial Hospital will serve free lunch.
Cartoonist and storyteller Joe Wos will perform at 1 and 3 p.m., and magician Mark Galizia will have a show with animals at 2 p.m. There will be entertainment all day, including crafts, face painting and T-shirt tie-dyeing.
Spanking in schools
HARRISBURG (AP) -- A council of the State Board of Education unanimously adopted a proposed ban on corporal punishment in public schools Wednesday.
The Council of Basic Education forwarded the proposal to the full board, which was scheduled to vote on it later today.
Pennsylvania is among 23 states that permit corporal punishment in schools, but the state gives local school districts discretion over using it.
The proposed regulations would allow teachers and administrators to use "reasonable force" under specific circumstances, such as self-defense or restraining a student.
The regulations also would need the approval of the state House and Senate education committees, an independent regulatory review panel, and the state attorney general's office before they could take effect.
School break-in suspect
NEW CASTLE, Pa. -- A Cliff Street man is charged with a break-in at West Side Elementary School. Harry Boatner, 52, who has a Farrell address, is charged with criminal attempt at burglary, criminal attempt at trespassing, institutional vandalism and criminal mischief.
Nothing appears to have been taken, but an automatic alarm called police to the school at 1:26 a.m. Wednesday. They found blood on the windowsill and the ground outside the building.
Police said there was a brick inside the window, and witnesses said a thin black man wearing a white hat, light-colored pants or jeans and a dark shirt ran from the building.
Workers at Jameson Memorial Hospital later contacted police when a man matching that description, Boatner, showed up at the emergency room with cuts. Boatner told police he suffered the cuts in a fight he had with several men on Grant Street that night.
Irish Clans festival
YOUNGSTOWN -- The planning committee for the "Gathering of The Irish Clans" festival will discuss plans for the cultural event at a 7 p.m. Tuesday meeting at Chrystal's Restaurant, 1931 Belmont Ave.
The "Gathering of Irish Clans" is a family Irish heritage celebration set for Aug. 18 at the St. Maron Recreation Area, 1555 S. Meridian Road. Anyone interested in helping with the cultural festival is invited to the meeting.
The "Gathering of The Irish Clans" is a nonprofit group promoting Irish traditions and cultural heritage. It is partially supported by donations from individuals, organizations and businesses. To become a sponsor, or for information, call (330) 533-7542.