Zoning hearing

Zoning hearing
AUSTINTOWN -- Trustees will have a hearing at 7 p.m. Oct. 30 concerning zoning changes for the controversial Centerpointe Business Park, which is proposed by Route 46 Land Partners of Youngstown for a site bounded by Rutland and Benton avenues, Viola Drive and Webb Road.
Developers of the 379-acre park, which would be south of Interstate 80 near state Route 11, say it could generate 1,500 jobs, but neighboring opponents say it could cause drainage, noise and traffic problems and ruin the natural setting of the area.
On Sept. 26, the township zoning commission recommended changing the zoning from agricultural, business and residential to light industrial for the park, which developers say could contain $90 million in warehouses, retail buildings and offices. Trustees would have to be unanimous in their decision to overrule the zoning commission.
Hagan endorsed
YOUNGSTOWN -- Tim Hagan, Democratic gubernatorial candidate, received the endorsement today of the Youngstown State University chapter of the Ohio Education Association. This endorsement "was done after a careful review of your commitments to higher education as discussed in the 'Hagan Plan for Ohio' and our disappointment with Gov. [Bob] Taft's inattention to the concerns of higher education," wrote YSU-OEA President John Russo in a letter of endorsement.
Body identified
YOUNGSTOWN -- A dismembered body found Friday in trash bags on the East Side has been identified as Anne L. Griffin, 48, of East Philadelphia Avenue, who had been missing since Sept. 17, said Lt. Robin Lees.
Griffin's live-in boyfriend had reported her and his car gone. He later found the car on West Delason Avenue on Sept. 18. Search and rescue dogs from Greenville, Pa., were used at the illegal dump site at Carson Street and Cantwell Avenue on Friday.
The day before, a litter crew working in the area had discovered what turned out to be animal bones. Griffin's body was sent to the Cuyahoga County Coroner's Office. Her death is the city's 30th homicide of the year.
Critical condition
YOUNGSTOWN -- Karl E. Wright, 24, of Regis Street, was in critical condition today in St. Elizabeth Health Center with bullet wounds to his left arm, chest and right leg.
Wright was shot at his home about 11:15 p.m. Monday during a robbery of $35, a witness told police. Wright answered the door, thinking it was his cousin, reports show. His girlfriend told police she was held face down by one of possibly four suspects who entered the home.
Taxi driver robbed
YOUNGSTOWN -- An Independent Taxi driver was robbed at gunpoint of $70 by a man he picked up on Parkcliff Avenue about 12:30 a.m. today, reports show.
The gunman told the driver to take him to a housing complex on Victor Street, where the robber left with the cash. As the cab pulled away, a shot was fired.
KFC burglary
YOUNGSTOWN -- Someone tossed a large landscape rock through a door window at Kentucky Fried Chicken on McCartney Road at 2:17 a.m. today and set off the alarm. When police arrived a few minutes later, they found the office safe had been opened and $454 taken.
Therapy dogs
YOUNGSTOWN -- A program about therapy dogs will be presented by Dale and Betty Greig at 6 p.m. Wednesday at Trinity United Methodist Church, 30 W. Front St.
Featured will be Josie, named Dog of the Year by Fox News in Cleveland. A covered-dish supper will be served. Therapy dogs are used to help provide a sense of warmth and comfort for people in nursing homes, hospitals, assisted living facilities and people confined to their homes. Call (330) 744-5032 for more information.