A fireworks tribute

A fireworks tribute
NEW CASTLE, Pa. -- Fireworks unique to Zambelli Internationale will be set off here to the favorite music of company president George Zambelli Sr. on New Year's Eve. Zambelli, 79, died Christmas Day. The display is being offered as a tribute by his widow, Constance Zambelli. The fireworks will begin at 6 p.m. and can be viewed from the parking lot next to the Columbus Innerbelt. The light and sound show brings forth Zambelli's dedication to children and is specifically set for early evening so children can attend, according to a news release by the family. Signature shells unique to the Zambelli company will be used, including some packaged by Zambelli's late brother. Daylight fireworks featuring flags on parachutes, clouds of colored smoke and signature titanium salutes will be displayed at Zambelli's burial site earlier in the day.
Graffiti charges
NEW WILMINGTON, Pa. -- Ryan Michael Rylott, 20, of New Wilmington and Christopher Jonathon Cotelesse Jr., 20, of Volant have been charged with criminal mischief in the painting of graffiti in the area. Police said a sidewalk at Wilmington Area High School was defaced Nov. 16, an outside wall at Dutch Isle Dairy Bar on Pa. Route 208 was defaced Dec. 18 and the outside wall of Red's Place on New Castle Street was defaced Nov. 20. A 17-year-old female from Volant faces charges in juvenile court for the graffiti at Red's and Dutch Isle, police said. New Wilmington Police Chief Carmen Piccirillo said borough police turned over their results to Pennsylvania State Police, who are investigating graffiti at College Fields MRI on Pa. Route 158 in Wilmington Township and a bridge on Pa. Route 208. Piccirillo said his department considers these types of crimes serious because of the potential property damage involved.
Park reservations
NEW CASTLE, Pa. -- Reservations for Cascade and Gaston parks are being taken. This includes the picnic shelters, dance hall, train station and carousel building. Reservations may be made by calling the mayor's office at (724) 656-3500 from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. weekdays.
Food market robbed
NEW CASTLE, Pa. -- Two men robbed the Ho Ho Chinese Food Mart on Lutton Street. Police said the men pointed a gun at the owner around 6:19 p.m. Monday and demanded cash and cigarettes. Both had their faces covered. Police said the men drove off on a newer vehicle similar to a Ford Taurus.
Meat theft suspect
HERMITAGE, Pa. -- Police charged Jack L. Laughery, 31, of Union Street, Greenville, with robbery, simple assault and retail theft in the theft of meat from the Giant Eagle store in Hermitage Towne Plaza on East State Street. Police said store employees said they saw Laughery hide packages of meat under his coat, then walk out of the store around 3:20 p.m. Monday. A female store employee confronted him in the parking lot, but he pushed her and punched her in the mouth, police said. Two men passing by came to her aid and helped restrain Laughery until police arrived. He was held overnight and faced arraignment today.
Camper is burglarized
FREDONIA, Pa. -- Robert Giles of Fredonia Road told Pennsylvania State Police that someone cleaned out his "Scotty" camper, parked on his Delaware Township property. Giles told police Monday that a television, a VCR, a DVD player, an electric heater and cash were taken between Wednesday and Monday.
Seeking nominations
LISBON -- Several Columbiana County officeholders will be seeking their party's nomination in the March 2 primary.
They are Clerk of Courts Anthony Dattilio, Democrat; Engineer Bert Dawson, Republican; Recorder Jeff Hochadel, Republican; and Sheriff Dave Smith, Republican.
State rep. nomination
LISBON -- Frank Rayl, 34, of Salem, is seeking the Democratic nomination for the 1st District state representative seat in the March 2 primary.
Rayl, a labor leader and political newcomer, filed a nominating petition Monday at the Columbiana County elections board.
The resident of 1167 Andrew Ave. is serving his second term as president of United Steelworkers of America Local 3816. The union represents 253 employees of Eljer Plumbingware, a Salem plant slated for shutdown May 31.
The 1st District seat, which consists of Columbiana County, is held by state Rep. Charles Blasdel, an East Liverpool Republican.
Blasdel has yet to file for re-election.
The filing deadline is Friday.