Spirit parade planned

Spirit parade planned
COLUMBIANA -- A community spirit parade organized by the Columbiana Support Our Students campaign committee will be at 6:15 p.m. Friday before the start of the Columbiana varsity football game with East Palestine. The parade will form on Main Street in front of Kimpel's Jewelry and end at Firestone Park near the stadium. Organizers invite Clipper fans to participate in the parade and wear school colors.
'I Like Mike' rally
MERCER, Pa.-- Area Republicans will hold an "I Like Mike" rally for gubernatorial candidate Mike Fisher from 5 to 9 p.m. Thursday at Mercer County Republican headquarters on Courthouse Square. U.S. Rep. Phil English of Erie, R-3rd, and state Sen. Robert Robbins of Greenville, R-50th, both seeking re-election this year, are scheduled to speak.
Grant will aid youths
NEW CASTLE, Pa. -- City council accepted a $200,000 state grant that will help area youths. The Communities that Care Grant through the Pennsylvania Commission on Crime and Delinquency is a nonmatching grant that serves New Castle and Wilmington schools. The program is in its third year and will continue four more years with the funding. Program director Joe Sarbo said the local program, Lawrence County Cares, provides tutoring, service projects, anti-violence programs and other activities for pupils in kindergarten through grade 12.
In other business, Police Chief Victor Cubellis said police are investigating reports of drug activity on the city's south side. Several residents asked council for help earlier this month after a woman sitting in her living room was grazed by a bullet. They claimed drug related activity in their community that caused the shooting.
Halloween Oldies Dance
MERCER, Pa. -- The Mercer Rotary Club is having a Halloween Oldies Dance from 8 to 11 p.m. Saturday at Brandy Springs Community Center on state Route 158. DJ's Jim Bickel and Tony C. will spin the tunes. Halloween costumes are optional, but cash prizes will be awarded for various categories including most original, scariest and funniest. Tickets can be purchased in advance at $10 each from Mercer Rotary members, National City Bank in Mercer or Mercer Mercantile and Soda Shoppe. Tickets at the door will be $15 each. The price includes munchies and mixers. Proceeds will benefit the Brandy Springs baseball and softball facilities.
Accused in food theft
ELLWOOD CITY, Pa. -- An Ellport man is accused of taking more than $13,000 worth of frozen fish, shrimp and chicken from his employer.
Jacob Michael Mazzant, 29, of Burns Avenue faces charges of theft by unlawful taking or disposition and receiving stolen property. Pennsylvania State Police said Mazzant was a delivery person for JMJ Beatrice Inc., a wholesale food distributor in Wayne Township, from Jan. 1, 2001, to Feb. 23, 2002, and took more than 5,000 pounds of fish, shrimp and chicken. He is accused of selling it to others, police said. Police added that their investigation is continuing and more criminal charges are pending.
Taking donations
VERNON -- Donations of canned and dry food items, good used clothing and clean baby toys and clothes will be collected at Badger Middle School at state Routes 7 and 88 from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday.
The items will be given to Hartford Community Church and the New Life Maternity Home in Vienna.
Murder trial begins
YOUNGSTOWN -- Trial has started in Mahoning County Common Pleas Court for two men accused in the beating death of an East Side woman more than three years ago.
Christopher Love, 25, of Dale Street, and Robert Blackshear, 44, of East High Avenue, each face a murder count for the death of Olivia Hubbard, 44.
Jury selection began Tuesday in Judge Robert G. Lisotto's courtroom.
Hubbard was found in her Woodcrest Avenue home July 5, 1999, her face bloodied and swollen, after police received a tip that a woman had been beaten there. Blood was found on the sidewalk and porch leading to her house; doors and windows were locked.
She had last been seen earlier that day.