School levies on ballot

School levies on ballot
LIBERTY -- The township board of education has decided to place a new five-year, 7.9-mill general operating levy and renewal of a 0.9-mill permanent improvement issue on the March 2 primary ballot. The board made the unanimous decisions Tuesday.
The operating levy that will generate nearly $1.8 million annually, explained Superintendent Larry Prince, would be used for general expenses, including salaries; the renewal is to maintain the physical facilities and to buy computers.
Prince said the district is expected to end the current fiscal year that ends June 30 between $250,000 and $300,000 in debt.
He said reduced state funding that hasn't been addressed by the Ohio General Assembly is one reason for seeking the operating levy, along with inadequate reimbursement to educate students at Belmont Pines, a residential treatment facility in the district.
Sentencing in conspiracy
WARREN -- Sentencing is scheduled for Feb. 12 for two Austintown men who pleaded guilty to charges of conspiracy to commit bribery.
Anthony Cervone, 53, of Rome Drive, and Matthew Mesaros, 36, of New Road, entered guilty pleas to one count each of conspiracy to commit Hobbs Act bribery. The pleas were entered in the Cleveland courtroom of U.S. District Judge Lesley Brooks Wells.
They are charged with agreeing to pay about $75,000 in kickbacks to James Lapmardo, Warren's former building official, in exchange for Lapmardo's assistance in getting Innerscope the demolition and cleanup contract from the city between 1998 and 2000. The men worked for Innerscope, federal documents state.
Lapmardo, 53, of Perkinswood Drive Southeast, entered innocent pleas last week to one charge each of racketeering and conspiracy to commit Hobbs Act bribery and to three counts of Hobbs Act bribery. He is free on a $25,000 bond.
Fire causes injury, losses
BAZETTA -- Firefighters are investigating a blaze that sent a person to the hospital and caused $25,000 in losses to a trailer.
The fire broke out at 94 Larry Lane, Lakeview Trailer Park, at about 1:53 a.m. today, firefighters said. A person living inside suffered burns and was taken to a local hospital.
Firefighters declined to give the name of the person injured.
Mathews board meeting
VIENNA -- The Mathews Board of Education has rescheduled its meeting to Monday. The meeting had been scheduled for Dec. 17.
The meeting will begin at 6 p.m. with an executive session, and agenda items will be addressed at about 6:30 p.m. The meeting will be in the board office at 4434-B Warren-Sharon Road.
$1.5M fire levy proposed
MINERAL RIDGE -- Weathersfield Township trustees will meet in special session at 10 a.m. Thursday to request that the Trumbull County prosecutor's office prepare a motion for the trustees to vote on at their regular meeting at 7 p.m. Dec. 16. It would allow trustees to place a 1.5-mill fire levy on the March primary ballot.
A 1.5-mill levy would generate about $232,500 annually. The township now has a total of 2.7 mills voted for fire.
Trustee James Stoddard said that the meeting is a formality. The county requires the township have a motion to proceed to draft the language of a levy resolution before the trustees can vote on it.
Thrift shop donations
NEWTON FALLS -- The Church Mouse Thrift Shoppe is accepting donations of hams, turkeys and grocery store gift certificates to help needy families during the holidays.
Last year, 120 families were given food for their holiday dinners, and at least that many are expected to need help this year.
Donations can be dropped off at the Church Mouse, 26 1/2 W. Broad St. For more information, call (330) 872-5574.
Pictures with Santa
LIBERTY -- Children may be photographed with Santa and Mrs. Claus at the Liberty Branch of the Warren-Trumbull County Public Library at 1 p.m. Saturday.
There will also be stories, games and treats.
School board meeting
McDONALD -- The village board of education has changed the date of its regular meeting this month from the third Monday of the month to Monday, Dec. 22, at 7:30 p.m. in the high school library.