Thursday, October 17, 2002
Emergency squad grant
NEW MIDDLETOWN -- New Middletown Volunteer Fire and Emergency Squad has received a $90,211 grant from the 2002 Assistance to Firefighters Grant Program.
The award will be used by the village fire and emergency squad to enhance fire operations and firefighter safety.
The grant program is designed as an opportunity for Congress to work with Federal Emergency Management Agency and the United States Fire Administration to enhance basic fire service delivery across the country. More than 5,000 departments will receive $360 million to support fire protection, EMS delivery, vehicle purchase and prevention programs this year.
More than 19,000 fire departments applied for grant awards this year. The New Middletown request was put through a national peer review process involving more than 300 fire service leaders.
Charged in rape of child
YOUNGSTOWN -- An attorney for Kevin Brown is again seeking to have Brown's rape charge thrown out.
Atty. Paul Conn says prosecutors took too long to bring the case to trial, so the charge should be dismissed. He'd filed a motion to that effect in Mahoning County Common Pleas Court, but it was overruled by Judge James C. Evans. Conn is now asking the 7th District Court of Appeals to reverse Judge Evans' decision. The trial is set for Oct. 30.
Brown, 45, of Howard Street, was indicted in August 2001 on four counts of rape. Authorities say he raped a 6-year-old girl. He could be sentenced to life in prison if convicted of any count.
Village laws studied
CRAIG BEACH -- Several council members met to discuss numerous village ordinances they hope will be updated and easier to enforce.
The proposed changes, outlined at Wednesday's zoning meeting, should make it easier to determine boundary lines on various properties, as well as require homeowners renting out homes to hire an inspector, said Rosemarie Peregrim, village clerk-treasurer.
Peregrim added that previously village officials had difficulty keeping track of who owned many homes and who rented. Zoning inspectors worked other jobs and earned little money for conducting inspections, creating a high turnover and burnout, Peregrim said. As a result, there was little continuity and many inspections were incomplete or never done, leading to confusion over the location of many property lines, she said.
Cafe to open in library
AUSTINTOWN -- Chapter two of the Public Library of Youngstown and Mahoning County begins Friday. Chapters, the second library cafe, opens at the Austintown Library, 600 S. Raccoon Road, in the skylighted atrium entrance.
Cafe owners are Claudia Wheland, Rodney Ann Madeline and Lynn Porch of Thymley Events. The cafe will offer soups, salads, sandwiches, desserts and coffees. Cafe hours are 7 a.m. to 9 p.m. Mondays through Thursdays, 7 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Fridays, 8 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Saturdays and 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sundays.
The first Chapters cafe opened in December at the Poland Library.
Firearm indictment
CLEVELAND -- A federal grand jury has indicted Willie G. Wilks, 30, of West Heights Avenue, Youngstown, and charged him with violating federal firearms laws.
Wilks is accused of being a felon in possession of a firearm. If convicted, he faces up to 10 years in prison and a $250,000 fine. The case was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms and Youngstown police.
Donations for children
HUBBARD -- Donations are being accepted until Oct. 25 for Operation Seat Cover, the Hubbard Area Chamber of Commerce clothing drive. Residents and businesses are being asked to donate new underwear, socks, sweat pants and shirts, sizes 6-12, for needy elementary schoolchildren. The chamber also is accepting cash donations to buy shoes.
Donations are being accepted at East Hill Florist, Progressive Printing, Steven's Optical, Hair Designs by Lark and the nurse's office in Roosevelt Elementary School. Call Mary Ann Lark at (330) 534-3015.