Trumbull grievance names commissioner

Trumbull grievance names commissioner
WARREN -- The union representing Trumbull County employees filed a grievance against commissioner James G. Tsagaris, after the commissioner publicly admitted to sweeping administration building floors several weeks ago. The job largely has gone undone since a dozen county maintenance department custodians were laid off earlier this year. Union officials say the job should be performed only by their members, said county human resources director James Keating. Keating has 10 days to respond to the complaint. He said the union is asking the county to pay a custodian's full day's pay as penalty -- about $80. Tsagaris could not immediately be reached to comment.
Sidewalk office hours set
WARREN -- Councilman John Homlitas, D-3rd, will conduct sidewalk office hours at 9 a.m. Saturday in the community room at the Elm Road McDonald's.
Summer reading programs
BRISTOL -- The public library here will host summer reading programs for children in celebration of Ohio's birthday. The programs, scheduled to start Tuesday with Mark Wade's "Ohio Adventure" ventriloquist show at 11 a.m., are for age 3 through the sixth grade. The program continues through Aug. 12. There are separate programs for children ages 3-5, first- through fourth-graders and fifth- and sixth-graders. For more information or to register, call (330) 889-3651.
Warren bank robbery
WARREN -- City police were at Bank One, 2911 Youngstown Road, this morning, investigating a bank robbery that happened just after 9 a.m. The bank closed after the crime. No weapon was seen, police said, and they were looking for a green Chevrolet Blazer in which the male suspect fled.
Ramp resurfacing
MERCER, Pa. -- The off and on ramps at the Interstate 79-Route 62 Interchange, Exit 121, were to be closed for resurfacing today. Weather conditions prevented the ramps from being resurfaced as planned Tuesday. The work was to begin after 7 a.m. and continue to about 7 p.m. The ramps will be alternately closed, resurfaced and reopened.
Planners OK rezoning
COLUMBIANA -- The city planning commission will recommend to city council that property along state Route 14 across from the Dutch Village Inn be rezoned from residential to light commercial. Mayor Lowell Schloneger said Joyce Conn, Doris Warner and Gary Bailey and officers of the Columbiana Church of Christ are seeking to have their properties rezoned. Neighbors are concerned the area is already too busy, and don't want businesses in their back yards. Schloneger said offices and small retail stores would be permitted. The planning commission approved site plans for a Curves women's workout center in the Columbiana Plaza and for Ken Crane to sell the primitive furniture he makes from a storefront at 217 S. Main St.
Auditor makes a visit
LISBON -- State Auditor Betty Montgomery was in town Tuesday as part of an effort to visit each of Ohio's 88 counties. Columbiana County officials characterized the largely unpublicized visit as routine and aimed at enabling local officials to get acquainted with Montgomery. County Auditor Nancy Milliken said today she expressed concern to Montgomery about the county's being unable to afford the nearly $50,000 cost to convert to a new accounting method, as required by the state. Montgomery said she understands the difficulty some counties are having in making the conversion but the state cannot relax that standard, Milliken related.
$1.4M for cancer fight
CANFIELD -- The Mahoning Area American Cancer Society, representing Mahoning, Trumbull and Columbiana counties, has netted about $1.4 million so far in 2003 from 12 Relay For Life fund-raising events, said Jo-Ann Crank, executive director of the local ARC. One more Relay For Life is scheduled for Aug. 29-30 at Lordstown High School. Proceeds are used by ARC for research, education, advocacy and services to patients and families, said Al Stabilito, ARC communications and advocacy director.