Property owners voice objections to city plan
Property owners voiceobjections to city plan
YOUNGSTOWN -- Front Street property owners reiterated objections to a plan concerning the proposed arena project during a public hearing Tuesday in city council. The study, commonly called a slum and blight plan, would let the city take Front Street property for the project via eminent domain if council adopts the document. Three Front Street property owners, Scott Cochran, Ray Jaminet and Mike Timlin, registered objections similar to arguments made earlier to the city planning commission. They objected to the study's methods, findings and lack of a financial plan. Outgoing council President John R. Swierz, incoming president James E. Fortune Sr., D-6th, and Artis Gillam Sr., D-1st, attended the hearing.
Funding for airport
VIENNA -- A bill that would let the Youngstown-Warren Regional Airport keep its federal funds has passed through the U.S. House and now is in a Senate committee. This morning, William H. Barley, regional vice president of R.W. Armstrong, the airport's engineering firm, told the board that runs the airport about the bill's progress. The bill would allow airports that lost all commercial passenger service since 2001 to continue receiving the same level of federal support for capital projects, he said. The airport now receives about $1 million a year from the federal government for capital projects. The bill would also reduce the local contribution to projects from 10 percent to 5 percent, he said.
African Students Unioncreated at university
YOUNGSTOWN -- The African Students Union, a new organization at Youngstown State University, will celebrate the founding of the group from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Thursday in the Ohio Room of Kilcawley Center on the YSU campus. The group was formed to promote the causes of Africa and to serve as a base where new African students can assimilate to the American culture while maintaining their African roots. The kickoff ceremony will include a dance performance and fashion show by African students and comments by African faculty members. Membership is open to all YSU students in good academic standing.
Break-in at Pizza Joe's
YOUNGSTOWN -- Someone pried off a roof vent at Pizza Joe's on Belmont Avenue, climbed into the shop and ransacked coolers and freezers, police said. The break-in was discovered about 6:30 a.m. Tuesday. Damage to the roof and ceiling was estimated at $575 and $100, respectively, and $425 worth of food was lost, reports show.
Man injured in shooting
YOUNGSTOWN -- Brandon Owens, 19, of Orrin Avenue told police he was shot in the knee at 11:40 p.m. Tuesday as he walked on Jacobs Road, toward his street. Owens said a gray car pulled up, the driver got out and fired four or five times then drove off, reports show. Owens was treated at St. Elizabeth Health Center. He was unable to give police a possible motive or description of the shooter.
No-contest plea in theft
YOUNGSTOWN -- Marc A. Ellington, 20, of Hillman Street pleaded no contest Tuesday in municipal court to misdemeanor theft, reduced from a felony robbery charge. Judge Robert A. Douglas Jr. sentenced Ellington to 180 days in jail, suspended 90, gave him credit for 10 days served, imposed a fine of $100 and placed him on one year's probation. The judge also ordered Ellington to stay away from Inner Circle Pizza, 2704 Mahoning Ave. On Nov. 8, the owner of Inner Circle fired three shots at two robbers who left the restaurant with $85. Ellington's 17-year-old brother, also named Marc A. Ellington, was wounded. He faces a robbery charge in juvenile court.
Computer technology grant
YOUNGSTOWN -- Associated Neighborhood Centers has received a $32,000 SBC grant to support computer technology at the McGuffey Centre and OCCHA Community Center. The check presentation will be at 6:30 p.m. Friday at the ANC's annual meeting and dinner at McGuffey Centre, 1649 Jacobs Road.