Monday, March 18, 2002
Robotics team reachescontest quarterfinals
CLEVELAND -- The robotics team from Warren Harding High School placed in the top eight after advancing to the quarterfinals of the FIRST robotics regional competition.
The weekend competition at Cleveland State University also saw Girard High School rank 37th and Chaney High School 57th.
Harding teamed with Perry Meridian High of Indiana and Canal Winchester High in the quarterfinals.
This year's game consists of individual teams working together on a field divided into five scoring zones with three goals and 60 soccer balls. The alliances have two minutes to score through strategic movements, earning points on a graduated scale by how well their robots handle the course.
Teams qualify individually, then form three-team alliances for the quarterfinals, semifinals and final.
FIRST stands for For Inspiration and Recognition of Science and Technology, a nonprofit organization formed in 1989 to encourage high school students to consider math, science, engineering and technology as a profession.
It has the corporate backing of Delphi Packard Electric Systems, General Motors, NASA and the United Autoworkers, as well as universities.
The event, which drew 57 teams, was won by the alliance of Lahser High and International Academy of West Bloomfield, Mich.; Morgantown High of Morgantown, W.Va., and Rochester High of Rochester Hills, Mich.
2 charged in attack
NILES -- Police arrested two men on aggravated robbery and other charges.
Michael R. Joll, 29, who is homeless, faces charges of aggravated robbery, felonious assault, failure to comply with an order of a police officer, resisting arrest, DUI and several traffic offenses.
William E. Clay, 22, of Spring Street, is charged with aggravated robbery.
A McDonald woman told police two men approached her Friday night outside Condom Nation on U.S. Route 422. One man pulled her out of her car by her hair, punched her in the face and jumped on her.
The two men drove away in her car and refused to stop when police tried to pull them over on 422, instead driving to Robbins Avenue, where they crashed in front of the Arlington Arms apartments
They were caught after a short foot chase.
Mathews High is sitefor music program
VIENNA -- The Mathews High School gym is the site for the annual Inter-County League honors music program at 7 p.m. March 26.
More than 200 musicians from Springfield, McDonald, Lowellville, South Range, Mineral Ridge, Jackson Milton, Western Reserve and Mathews will perform choral and instrumental selections.
Choral director for the group will be Stephen Ausmann, associate professor of music at Youngstown State University.
Galen S. Karriker, assistant director of bands and assistant professor of music at the University of Akron, will direct instrumental students.
Admission is $3.
Mosquito Lake pollution
WARREN -- The Trumbull County Board of Health has been aware that there is a problem with failing septic systems discharging into Mosquito Lake for a number of years, assistant health commissioner George Buccella says.
Buccella and health commissioner Vincent Catuogno attended a Sunday meeting sponsored by concerned users of the lake.
Buccella said complaints have been filed against homeowners on the west shore of Mosquito Lake in Bazetta Township, but he was not aware if the health board has ever been asked to take formal action.
Shenango road closing
WEST MIDDLESEX, Pa. -- Sharon-Bedford Road in Shenango Township will be closed about one mile north of the Lawrence County line between 6 a.m. and 6 p.m. Thursday for drainage ditch maintenance.
Man is stabbed in fight
SHARON, Pa. -- A New Wilmington man was treated at Sharon Regional Hospital after being stabbed in a fight in the parking lot at Conley Boulevard and Railroad Street at 1:30 a.m. today.
Ryan Ursta, 22, of Clay Furnace Road, Sharpsville, faces charges of aggravated assault, recklessly endangering another person and disorderly conduct.
Police said Ursta and Chris Roscoe, 23, of New Wilmington were fighting when Ursta pulled a pocket knife. Roscoe was cut on the neck and abdomen.