Hermitage woman dies from heatstroke

Hermitage woman dies from heatstroke
SHARON, Pa. -- A Hermitage woman who suffered from Alzheimer's disease was found dead after wandering away from her car.
Dr. Charles Zeigler, Mercer County deputy coroner, said Amelia "Mildred" Kapusta, 84, died of heat stroke. No autopsy was performed, he said.
Her body was discovered at about 4:15 p.m. Saturday in a disabled vehicle on Budd Street and South Irvine Avenue, police said.
Police said the woman's husband left her in their car at 11:20 a.m. in the Sharon City Centre as he went to fill a prescription in a nearby pharmacy. When he returned about five minutes later, she had disappeared, police said.
Relatives told police Kapusta suffered from Alzheimer's disease and had wandered off before.
Firefighters and police from several departments were searching for Kapusta when Sharon Mayor David O. Ryan, a former police officer who was helping in the search, discovered her body in the vehicle, which was in an auto repair lot.
Restaurant robbery
NEW CASTLE, Pa. -- Police are investigating a burglary at Little Johnny's Pizza on East Washington Street.
They said someone kicked in the back door sometime from 11:30 p.m. Friday to 8 a.m. Saturday and took cash from the register and an office. Police are not saying how much money is missing.
Arts guild gets grant
HARRISBURG -- A Sharon-based arts organization is receiving funding assistance from the state.
State Sen. Robert Robbins, R-Greenville, Pa. and Rep. Mike Gruitza, D-Hermitage, announced that the Pennsylvania Council on the Arts is awarding a $1,281 grant to the Valley Arts Guild to support its programs.
Robbins said the arts enrich communities and showcase local talent and despite the state's tight budget this year, support continues. A total of $14 million in arts grants are being awarded statewide.
Powwow scheduled
COITSVILLE -- Red Hawk American Indian Cultural Society will host a "Dance for Mother Earth" Powwow Aug. 17-18 at Willow Ranch, South Hubbard Road.
The event will feature dancing, drumming, singing and storytelling from several Indian nations. There also will be native arts and crafts, food, raffles, pony rides and other entertainment.
Among the artists featured will be Wanda Kover of West Farmington and JoAnn Turner of Warren, both of whom are recipients of an Ohio Arts Council Traditional Arts Apprenticeship Grant.
Kover and Turner practice the art of Native American beadwork. Their work also is on display at the Trail of Dreams Native American Gallery in Champion.
Gates to the powwow open both days at 10 a.m. Festivities will continue until dusk Saturday and 6 p.m. Sunday.
Admission is $3 for adults and $2 for students and senior citizens; children 5 and younger are admitted free.
Prepaying tollson Ohio Turnpike
BEREA -- The Ohio Turnpike Commission launched today a pre-paid toll program called Ready Toll for frequent turnpike users as an alternative to cash toll payments.
Participants will prepay tolls using a VISA or Mastercard account and carry a Ready Toll card, which looks like a credit card.
Participants will take a ticket as usual upon entering the turnpike and hand their tickets and Ready Toll cards to the toll collector as they exit, and their tolls will automatically be deducted from their accounts.
A statement of tolls will be issued to Ready Toll card holders about every 90 days, the turnpike commission said. More information and an application can be found at www.ohioturnpike.org.
County receives grant
YOUNGSTOWN -- The Federal Emergency Management Agency has given Mahoning County a $29,621 grant to fund a plan to reduce damage from floods or tornadoes before they occur.
Walter M. Duzzny, director of the county's disaster services and emergency management agency, said FEMA is shifting its focus from paying off on claims after disasters to prevention. Locally, officials will consider plans such as reducing flooding in developed areas or better building codes.
After the report is complete by Nov. 1, 2003, the county can obtain grants for drainage and other preventative projects, Duzzny said.
No meeting
YOUNGSTOWN -- Mahoning County commissioners will not meet on Thursday.
The board's next scheduled meeting is at 4 p.m. on Aug. 1 at the Ohio State University Extension Office, 490 S. Broad St., Canfield.