Southington schools block fountains over bacteria

Southington schools blockfountains over bacteria
SOUTHINGTON -- Pupils and teachers returned to classes from summer vacation this morning to be greeted by blocked-off water fountains in Southington schools.
After officials were notified last week that the drinking water tested positive for the E. coli bacteria, water fountains were taped off and water coolers were brought in as a backup water source, Superintendent William Pfahler said.
The district's water tested positive for the bacteria because of recent flooding, he said, but workers were treating it with chemicals to fix the problem.
New samples were sent to a lab in Akron. Results were expected today.
The district's 15 classified employees, such as bus drivers and secretaries, went on strike this morning, but the schools are open.
Man reports being forcedto obtain cash for robber
NILES -- A 38-year-old city man lost $6 in cash to a robber who forced him to drive to his home for the money.
The Belmont Avenue man was leaving DJ's Lounge on West Federal Street around 4 a.m. Sunday when he was approached by a male in his late teens or early 20s who demanded money, reports said. When the man said he had no money, the robber forced him to drive him and a female to his home for cash.
Police said that when the man got home, he told his fianc & eacute;e what was going on and she called 911.
The man got back into the vehicle, gave the couple the money and drove them to Cardigan Street, where he pulled into a driveway and started honking the horn. The couple got out of the vehicle and fled.
Windham man hospitalizedwith bullet wound to face
WARREN -- Township police are investigating the shooting of a 25-year-old Windham man.
Lt. Don Bishop said Matthew Claar was in serious condition this morning in Robinson Memorial Hospital in Ravenna with a face wound.
Claar told police he went to a house on Miller Street in the township sometime after 1 a.m. Sunday to buy OxyContin.
Claar said he gave a man $100 for two pills, but instead of giving him the drug, the man shot at him and his car.
Claar was shot in his upper cheek with a large-caliber bullet. "He is lucky to be alive," Bishop noted.
No arrests have been made.
OxyContin is a powerful painkiller.
Family Festival 2003includes sports, music
WARREN -- Four community organizations will present Family Festival 2003 from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Saturday and Sunday at Deemer Park.
Hoyt Street Church of God in Christ, Mary B. Williams Foundation, Marcus Garvey Institute of Awareness and the Independent Black/Minority Coalition at Kent State University Trumbull Campus are presenting the event.
The Roland Dukes Memorial Tennis Tournament, a three-on-three basketball tournament, live music and a praise and worship service are among the events planned.
Deemer Park is behind Warren Western Reserve Middle School.
Youths swim to raisefunds for cancer society
Area kids raised $15,648 for the American Cancer Society at this summer's annual swim-along at local pools and swim clubs.
Leading the way was Poland Swim Club, which raised $3,767. Boardman Swim Club raised $2,574; Logan Swim Club in Liberty and Canfield Swim Club each raised more than $2,200.
Applewood Swim Club raised just over $2,000, Tippecanoe Country Club raised more than $700, Trumbull Country Club brought in more than $500, and Camp Rachel netted more than $300.
The event was coordinated by Mandie Hiznay of the Poland Swim Club.
Lap dance leads to arrest
YOUNGSTOWN -- Kevin Kridler's complaints about not receiving change from a lap dancer he paid at the New Affair Lounge on East Midlothian Boulevard resulted in his arrest at 2:15 a.m. Saturday on a charge of disorderly conduct while intoxicated.
Kridler, 27, of Wakefield Avenue, is accused of shouting obscenities at police and disruptive behavior.
Police said he was later charged with falsification when deputies said he used his brother's name during the booking process at the jail.