Network for veterans buys vans with grant

Network for veteransbuys vans with grant
HARRISBURG -- With the help of a $250,000 grant, the Disabled American Veterans Hospital Transportation Network boosted its fleet by 10 vans this week.
The DAV Hospital Transportation Network began in 1998 to help transport sick and disabled veterans to the Department of Veterans Affairs medical facilities for treatment. Last year, volunteer drivers provided nearly 55,000 rides and logged more than 1.5 million miles.
"Many of the veterans who use the program are seeking care for service-connected disabilities," said State Sen. Bob Robbins, R-50, who helped secure funding for the project. "Nearly all of the others are poor and have no other health care. We have many needs to address in Pennsylvania, but I'm sure that most people would agree that disabled veterans should go to the front of the line."
Free Kid Fit program
YOUNGSTOWN -- The YWCA of Youngstown and the Youngstown State University Department of Human Performance and Exercise Science is offering Kid Fit, a free program geared toward overweight children, Mondays and Wednesdays from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m., beginning today through Aug. 14.
The sessions will be at the YWCA, 25 W. Rayen Ave. Call (330) 746-6361 for more information.
Medicare 101 seminar
NORTH LIMA -- Caprice Health Care Center, 9184 Market St., is offering Medicare 101, a seminar to teach and update participants on criteria for placing Medicare patients into skilled nursing facilities, from 2 to 3:30 p.m. Tuesday. Call (330) 965-9200 for reservations.
Harley Davidson show
LORDSTOWN -- Employees of the Lordstown Metal Center, a division of General Motors Corp., will present $20,000 to the Make-A-Wish Foundation during the metal center's 3rd annual Harley Davidson Ride-in Bike Show at 10 a.m. Wednesday. United Autoworkers of America and GM are national sponsors for the Make-A-Wish Foundation. About 40 employees of Lordstown Metal Center will parade their bikes through the plant. The $20,000 will enable the foundation to grant the wishes of four children suffering from life-threatening illnesses.
Plant employees supported the fund-raising campaign by raffling a Harley Davidson motorcycle and selling T-shirts and baked goods.
Radio Shack burglarized
NEW CASTLE, Pa. -- Six DVD players were taken in a burglary at Radio Shack on Wilmington Road, Neshannock Township. Police said an alarm went off at 5:12 a.m. Sunday. Police said the six missing DVD players are valued at $596.94.
Tutoring grants available
HARRISBURG -- Grants of up to $500 are available for tutoring children who qualify for Pennsylvania's classroom plus grant. The state recently expanded the program to include pupils who scored in the lower half on standardized statewide tests.
Grants are available to pupils in grades three through six and may be used to purchase tutoring in reading or math provided by public schools, nonprofit groups, colleges, universities, private schools and for-profit tutoring organizations. For details, call (800) 219-9740.
Community cleanup
CRAIG BEACH -- This week the village will be conducting a community cleanup through 6 a.m. Saturday. A curbside trash pickup from BFI will conclude the week's activities.
Several items will not be picked up, such as car parts, construction materials, paint products, explosives, dead animals and anything that constitutes hazardous wastes. Metals may be brought to the municipal building parking area.
The Mahoning County Green Team is providing bags for volunteer cleanup areas as well as recycle bags for anyone wishing to recycle products.
Volunteers may contact the municipal building at (330) 654-2107 for time and area assignments.
24th Butler Rodeo
BUTLER, Pa. -- The 24th annual Butler Rodeo kicks off Thursday at the Butler Farm Show Grounds, on Pa. Route 68, three miles west of Butler. Performances will start at 8 each night, rain or shine.
Gates open at 6 p.m. Thursday, Friday and Saturday. The cost is $9 for adults on Thursday and Friday and $10 for adults on Saturday. Children are admitted for $5.
There will be bareback bronco riding, team roping, calf roping, cowgirl barrel racing, saddle bronco riding, steer wrestling and Brahma bull riding.