Becoming a Democrat

Becoming a Democrat
LORDSTOWN -- Jim Calko, who unsuccessfully ran as a Republican last year for an Ohio House seat and former head of the Youngstown State University Young Republicans, is leaving the GOP to become a Democrat.
Calko, of Lordstown, lost to Sandra Stabile Harwood, a Niles Democrat, in the November general election for the 65th Ohio House District seat.
Calko, who describes himself as a moderate, said he made the change because the Republican Party has moved too far to the right.
Director joins raceto become mayor
WARREN -- The city's safety-service director has joined what is becoming a crowded race for the Democratic nomination for mayor in the May primary.
Fred Harris filed his nominating petitions with the Trumbull County Board of Elections on Tuesday, saying several people have asked him to run.
County Commissioner Michael O'Brien recently announced his intentions to run.
Also expected to be in the Democratic field are former city Treasurer Patricia Leon-Games, former interim Fire Chief James L. Nutt and former water department chief Emanuel Michelakis.
Dancers' Packard showwill aid cancer patients
WARREN -- Dancers Stand United raised $13,326 at its recent show in Packard Music Hall.
The annual event, which was started in 2002 to raise funds for the victims of the World Trade Center attacks, featured some 400 dancers from 11 Warren-Youngstown area studios.
This years proceeds were equally divided between three local cancer patients -- Wendy Sutliff, Bobby Rhine and Brian Jones.
Participating studios were Donna Crean D.C. Dancers, Patti Finelli School of Dance, Center Stage, Zahnow Dance, Studio L, The Dance Space, Kathi's Dance & amp; Gym Jeanette Callahan School of Dance, The Art of Dance, Jill's Danceshop and Natalie's Dance Co.
Team raises funds
GIRARD -- The high school robotics team is having an aluminum can drive to raise money for this year's competition.
Drop-off dates are Feb. 28 and March 1 at the high school.
Last year Girard was first runner-up in the Toronto, Canada, regional competition and hopes to compete this year in Cleveland and Pittsburgh events and at the national event in Houston.
Contact Judy Barber at (330) 545-5431, Ext. 107.
Search for VP at Kent
KENT -- Kent State University President Carol A. Cartwright has reopened the search for a vice president of enrollment management and student affairs.
Cartwright said strong candidates were interviewed, but a "best fit" could not be found.
She said officials plan to move quickly to identify a new, national pool of candidates and will use a search consultant.
The position opened Dec. 31 when Nancy A. Scott retired.
Jailed for speeding
YOUNGSTOWN -- Gregory J. Simcox is the first person to get jail time for speeding on Interstate 680 since police began their traffic crackdown on that road a few weeks ago.
Simcox, 20, of Lemont Drive, Boardman, was charged Friday with driving 67 mph in a 50 mph zone. He pleaded no contest Tuesday in municipal court. Judge Robert P. Milich sentenced Simcox to 10 days in jail, suspended seven and fined him $50. Simcox, who was convicted of speeding in November, also was placed on three years' probation.