Workers authorize strike in Southington schools

Workers authorize strikein Southington schools
SOUTHINGTON -- Nonteaching employees of the Southington Local Schools voted Wednesday to authorize a strike.
The vote was taken by members of Local 673 of the Ohio Association of Public School Employees, which represents 17 district bus drivers, cafeteria workers, janitors and secretaries.
Local president Wendy Tietz said documents must now be filed with the State Employee Relations Board and the union and SERB will formally notify the district.
After that, and if no progress is made on a contract, the union can issue a 10-day notice of its intent to strike. Tietz said that would put the walkout close to the start of school.
The first day of classes is Aug. 25.
The employees have been without a contract since the expiration of the last agreement in June 2001.
The board of education ended talks with the union and implemented a two-year contract June 30. It offered a 2-percent raise the first year and a 4-percent raise the second year.
The union, however, objects to changes in the insurance plan and the fact that the board unilaterally imposed a contract.
The teachers agreed earlier to the same contract, according to the administration.
Pizza judging, car show atEaster Seals garage sale
WARREN -- The 16th annual Easter Seals garage sale is going on through Sunday at the Ridgeview Plaza, 2480 Youngstown Road S.E.
This year's event includes a Pizza Burn-Off & amp; Car Show from 4 to 7 p.m. Saturday.
Admission is $5 per adult and $3 per child, which includes a pizza ticket to taste and judge your favorite pizza and one free drink.
There is a $10 entry fee to participate in the car show, which will include one free pizza ticket.
Proceeds from the garage sale and events go to Easter Seals of Mahoning, Trumbull and Columbiana counties.
2 funds for flood victimswere used up quickly
WARREN -- Funds for two Trumbull County Jobs and Family Services programs to help flooding victims were used up within 24 hours of the programs' being announced, TCJFS director Thomas Mahoney said.
The department will take applications through the end of the week from families who need assistance to fix damage or replace household items in the hope that more money will be appropriated from the state.
Additional money is also available from the Federal Emergency Management Agency, by calling (800) 621-3362.
More than 450 people filled out applications for local TVJFS services.
The $50,000 available for the elderly was gone within an hour and $200,000 for poor families was gone by last Thursday.
Phone connections comingto temporary 911 center
HOWLAND -- Officials hope to install telephone connections to allow Trumbull County 911 workers to resume answering emergency calls from their temporary home in a mobile classroom.
The department is still weeks away from returning to its flooded headquarters, director Tim Gladis said.
Since the center was flooded two weeks ago, emergency calls that normally go there have been routed to the Warren Police Department.
Police dispatchers then radio the mobile 911 center, which is in radio contact with police and fire departments.
Firefighters probe bar fire
WARREN -- Firefighters are investigating the cause of a blaze about 4 a.m. at Maddigan's bar, 581 High St.
Firefighters were still determining this morning how much damage was done to the one-story block building.
Liberty trustees meeting
LIBERTY -- Township trustees will meet in special session at 9:30 a.m. Friday in the administration building. The meeting may adjourn into executive session.
Waterline contract
WARREN -- Trumbull County commissioners have awarded a $221,000 contract to M & amp;M Excavating Inc. to build a waterline from Klines Farms to Tibbetts-Wick Road along Belmont Avenue in Liberty Township. The company submitted the lowest of five bids for the project.
Man charged with rape
NILES -- A 48-year-old man remains in the city jail on a charge of rape.
Police say Thomas Bennight of Mason Street sexually assaulted a 16-year-old girl Friday. An investigation by police and Trumbull County Children Services continues.