Howland High School will close for funeral

Howland High Schoolwill close for funeral
HOWLAND -- Howland High School will be closed Thursday so students and staff can attend the funeral of Scott M. Smith.
The 25-year-old third-year science teacher died of a heart attack Sunday morning in his Youngstown home.
Staff should report to school and will be excused to attend the services at 11 a.m. at Kinnick Funeral Home, North Meridian Road in Youngstown.
Smith also was assistant coach for football and baseball. He was a graduate of Chaney High School in Youngstown and Youngstown State University.
Falls school board,union reach no pact
NEWTON FALLS -- The board of education and the union representing the district's support staff met with a federal mediator for five hours Tuesday without reaching a contract agreement.
Superintendent Linda Clapp reiterated the board's stance that it will keep the schools open if the custodians, bus drivers, secretaries and other classified employees go on strike Monday.
One big sticking point is insurance coverage. Pointing out that insurance costs have risen more than $500,000 over the past two years, Clapp said the district wants employees to pay 4 percent of the coverage cost, about $40 a month.
The board has offered a 4 percent raise in the first year and 2 percent increase in the second year of its proposed contract, Clapp said.
There was no word this morning from the union.
Vision Van Clinicdue Friday in Warren
WARREN -- The Vision Van Clinic will stop Friday at Warren West Community Health Center, 716 Tod Ave.
Free eye exams and glasses are available to uninsured Head Start and school-age children who have been prescreened.
The family must provide transportation to and from the vision van, and appointments must be made.
Call the health center at (330) 373-0222.
Crafts at the library
KINSMAN -- Kids 3 and older can make Thanksgiving crafts at Kinsman Free Public Library from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday.
A scrapbooking class also is Saturday from 9:30 to 11:30. Cost for new students is $10, which includes a starter kit, and $5 for returning students.
Call the library at (330) 876-2461 to register for each program.
Burglary reported
SHARON, Pa. -- Flower Lumber Co., at 149 S. Dock St., was burglarized Monday night.
Police said a small amount of cash, coins from a soft drink machine, an IBM laptop computer, three pneumatic nail guns and a wood chisel were taken.
Remembering veterans
YOUNGSTOWN -- A public service of remembrance for military veterans will be at 11 a.m. Thursday at Veterans Plaza at Youngstown State University.
The event will be conducted by a university employees who are veterans.