Trumbull officials OK bond for health center
Trumbull officials OKbond for health center
WARREN -- Trumbull County commissioners have approved a $7 million hospital bond for Community Skilled Health Care Center of Warren.
The approval allows the center to borrow money at a more favorable rate than would otherwise be available. The county assumes no liability for the nonprofit company's debt.
Community Skilled Health Care plans to use $3.3 million of the money to build a 40-bed assisted living facility next to its 160-bed nursing home on Mahoning Avenue N.W.
The balance will be used to refinance $3.7 million in debt from the creation of the nursing home in the Green Cross Hospital building in 1979, said William Smaltz, executive director.
Smaltz said the new building will be finished next February or March.
Rent for a one-room apartment will be between $1,800 and $2,000 a month, with meals in a communal dining room, he said.
Commission adjustszoning law language
MINERAL RIDGE -- The Weathersfield Township Zoning Commission unanimously approved changing language in the zoning laws to permit businesses that meet a 1,000-foot distance restriction in residential areas.
The only person who attended the meeting Wednesday other than zoning commission members was township Trustee Fred Bobovnyk, who suggested the new language.
Zoning inspector Sherri Craver said even properties already zoned for commercial use had to come before the Zoning Board of Appeals for a variance to operate because of the old language.
The 1,000-foot requirement was added last year, she said.
Federal indictments
CLEVELAND -- A federal grand jury has indicted Michael R. Joll, 29, and William E. Clay, 22, both of Niles, on charges of aiding and abetting each other in a carjacking. If convicted, they face up to 15 years in prison and a $250,000 fine.
The grand jury also indicted Phillip D. Whitman II, 26, of Youngstown and charged him with possession with intent to distribute crack cocaine.
He could face 10 years to life in prison and a $4 million fine.
Molestation charges
NILES -- A 34-year-old Niles man accused of raping a female relative has been bound over to a Trumbull County grand jury.
Mark Ginkinger of South Chestnut Street was arrested last week. He is accused of raping the girl when she was between 12 and 16.
The girl told police Ginkinger sexually molested her between November 1998 and May 2001 at three homes in the city.
New Lifelines director
WARREN -- Trumbull County Lifelines has tapped Nick Ceglia, executive vice president of Community Solutions Association, as its new executive director.
Ceglia, 47, will succeed Richard A. Darkangelo, who retires June 30.
Lifelines distributes funds to 23 local social-service agencies.
On Tuesday, voters turned down a 1-mill levy for Lifelines for a second time, causing officials to project budget cuts.
Civil-rights panel
YOUNGSTOWN -- The Ohio Civil Rights Commission will have its May 23 meeting at 10:30 a.m. in the Ohio Room of Youngstown State University's Kilcawley Center. The commission periodically moves its meeting from Columbus to sites around the state.
The commission will hear testimony on cases and rule on recommendations.
The commission investigates discrimination in employment, public accommodation, housing credit and higher education on the bases of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability, age, ancestry or family status.
Kids Cafes planned
YOUNGSTOWN -- Second Harvest Foodbank of the Mahoning Valley received a $15,000 grant from the Raymond John Wean Foundation to open Kids Cafes in Trumbull and Mahoning counties.
Kids Cafe is a national community-based effort to feed hungry children, strengthen families and keep children safe.
Second Harvest is a nonprofit organization that provides food to 200 member agencies feeding hungry people in Columbiana, Trumbull and Mahoning counties.
Second Harvest hopes to open the first Kids Cafe in the Masury-Brookfield area of Trumbull County by midsummer, said Rebecca Martinez, the food bank's director of development.