Church offers party after Rayen games
Church offers partyafter Rayen games
YOUNGSTOWN -- Fifth Avenue Community Church, 1361 Fifth Ave., is beginning the "Fifth Quarter @ Fifth Avenue" after Rayen School home games starting Friday.
The church will be open from 9:30 p.m. to midnight to be a safe place for local youths to come for free food, games, music with a professional disc jockey, prizes and more. At 11:30 p.m. there will be a motivational speaker.
The program is an alternative for young people instead of wandering the streets, organizers say. Youths from other high schools are welcome. "Fifth Quarter @ Fifth Avenue" will be advertised on the public address system during the games.
Fire damages home
CAMPBELL -- A pre-dawn fire today at 277 12th St. caused roughly $40,000 in loss to the 1 1/2-story wooden-frame house and contents, said fire Capt. Gene Skelley.
The occupants -- Dolores Monoski, her 15-year-old daughter, two friends and a kitten -- made it out safely at 2:40 a.m., Skelley said. The heat of the fire melted the gas meter inside the home, he said. Meters inside older homes are common, the fire captain added.
The cause of the fire, which started in a back bedroom, is under investigation.
South Side fires
YOUNGSTOWN -- Firefighters were sent to two similar fires on the South Side today, said Battalion Chief Tim McGarry.
At 1:37 a.m., crews responded to a fire at 410 Wiseman St., the scene of a garage fire that spread to the occupied house, he said. No injuries were reported. Loss was estimated at $6,000.
At 6:15 a.m., crews responded to a vacant two-story brick duplex at 532 Powersdale Ave. McGarry said a fire in the garage spread to the roof of the duplex. The garage was a total loss and the duplex roof burned off, meaning the structure will have to be demolished, McGarry said. County records show the value of the building at $12,000.
Designs approved
YOUNGSTOWN -- The city's design review committee handled these items Wednesday:
UApproved improvements to Kars R Us at 425 S. Meridian Road. Changes include new doors, windows, signs and curbs.
UApproved replacing the facade on the building at 103-105 W. Federal St. The old facade was coming off the building. Board members toned down the shade of green to be used so the building blends better into downtown.
UTabled a proposal for signs at Casa de Cafe, a planned cafe in an old gas station at 117 E. Rayen Ave. Board members wanted more information before granting approval.
Arrest warrant issued
YOUNGSTOWN -- An arrest warrant was issued for a Poland man Wednesday after he failed to appear for a hearing in Mahoning County Common Pleas Court. Shawn Willis, 31, of South Main Street, is charged with engaging in a pattern of corrupt activity and cocaine trafficking.
Judge Jack Durkin ordered deputy sheriffs to find Willis and keep him in jail until the next hearing is scheduled.