Funds should help in house demolitions

Funds should helpin house demolitions
YOUNGSTOWN -- Using funds from the Community Development Agency, the city should be able to demolish 200 to 250 vacant homes.
Council members are expected to transfer $500,000 from various accounts in the CDA budget into the general fund for demolition.
"We can't hold off on this," said Councilman James E. Fortune Sr., D-5th. "We've got too many houses out there that are causing us headaches. We're in a real bad situation."
Council members are also looking to add some type of performance clause into demolition contracts to set a time line for contractors to clear out demolition sites.
The city now withholds payment until contractors clear sites, but some council members think setting a time limit of 60 to 90 days should be reviewed.
"There are some people out there who think these sites are unofficial dump sites," said Councilman Rufus Hudson, D-2nd. Council's next regular meeting is July 10.
Culvert replacement
YOUNGSTOWN -- Seacrist Road between Calla and Middletown roads in Goshen Township will be closed Tuesday for a culvert replacement. Traffic will be detoured along Calla Road, state Route 534 and Middletown Road.
Report on water
SHARON, Pa. -- Consumers Pennsylvania Water Co. said there are trace amounts of copper, lead and other contaminants in the water it supplies to 80,000 customers in Mercer, Lawrence and Trumbull counties but the amounts are well below state and federal drinking water standards.
The company released its annual Consumer Confidence Report on Thursday showing the results of 2001 testing on the treated water that comes from the Shenango River and is sold across the three-county area.
The contaminants come from industrial discharges, corrosion of plumbing, erosion of natural metal deposits and even byproducts of the water treatment process, the company said.
Theft from church
BERLIN -- A thief entered Berlin United Methodist Church on Akron-Canfield Road and stole two CD players and three TVs, reports show. A church official told a Mahoning County deputy sheriff that a lot of people have keys to the church. The deputy found no signs of forced entry. The theft was reported Thursday.
Assault trial date
STRUTHERS -- Steven S. Kelly, 31, of Chapel Lane, Youngstown, will go on trial Aug. 12 in municipal court. Judge James R. Lanzo set the trial date after Kelly was arraigned this week on three assault charges.
Kelly also faces charges of driving under suspension, resisting arrest and possession of drug paraphernalia.
The assault charges stem from two matters earlier this week.
Police reports said Kelly was arrested around 10:30 p.m. Tuesday in front of 3933 Fourth St., where he was allegedly involved in a fistfight and struck a 12-year-old boy and an 18-year-old man.
After posting bond, Kelly was involved in another altercation resulting in a third assault charge.
Police reports say he was arrested just before 12:30 a.m. Wednesday in front of 3931 Fourth St. after allegedly assaulting a Robert T. Morris, 37, of Fourth Street, who also was arrested and charged with assault.
Morris' trial has been set for Aug. 19. He was released after posting a $100 bond.
Boy needs transplants
LIBERTY -- Local talent company owner A.E. Vea invited the family of Nicholas Daum, a 3-year-old who needs multiple transplants, to his studio here Friday in hopes of raising awareness of the boy's condition.
Nicholas needs a kidney, liver and pancreas transplant. The Daums are formerly from Youngstown.
Nicholas was released from Pittsburgh Children's Hospital Thursday and made a stop at Six Flags Theme Park in Aurora, where he received gifts.
Vea hopes the Daum family's visit to the area will catch the attention of potential donors or someone that may be able to help in some way. For more information, call Vea at (330) 759-7333.
Singer to perform
YOUNGSTOWN -- Steve Green, contemporary Christian male vocalist, will perform in concert at 7 p.m. Sunday at Youngstown Baptist Church, 554 S. Meridian Road. The cost is $11. Call (330) 799-9988.