Investigating cause of fire

Investigating cause of fire
CAMPBELL -- Fire officials are investigating the cause of a Tuesday morning blaze that caused an estimated $35,000 in damage to the structure and an additional $10,000 to the contents of a home at 156 Bright Ave. Rachel Hartless-Grimm and her family, the occupants, escaped without injury from the fire, which was reported at 11:50 a.m. Firefighter Richard Chuey was treated for smoke inhalation, but was not hospitalized.
The fire, which started in an upstairs bedroom of the two-story wood-frame house, owned by Oakmont Properties of Hubbard, destroyed the roof. Firefighters were at the scene until 4 p.m.
Help for the homeless
YOUNGSTOWN -- People who are homeless can get help through the Cold Weather Emergency Shelter Program by calling the Help Hotline Crisis Center at (330) 747-2696 or toll-free at (800) 427-3606.
Duane Piccirilli, executive director of Help Hotline, which coordinates the program, said homeless adults and children can get emergency shelter at the Rescue Mission of Mahoning Valley, 962 Martin Luther King Blvd.
Because the demand this summer for shelter in Mahoning County forced the transfer of homeless to Trumbull County and Pennsylvania, Piccirilli said officials are concerned facilities will be even more inadequate this winter.
Funding for the program is provided by the Youngstown Area Community Development Agency, Youngstown/Mahoning Valley United Way, Catholic Charity Services of the Diocese of Youngstown, Youngstown Area Jewish Federation and Schermer Charitable Trust. Also, the Mahoning County Mental Health Board and Drug and Alcohol Counseling provide in-kind services.
Raising funds for hospital
BOARDMAN -- Boardman's Sam's Club, 7469 South Ave., is having a holiday fund-raiser for Tod Children's Hospital through the Children's Miracle Network on Friday.
Activities include having pictures taken with Santa Claus from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. through Sunday for a $3 donation. Also, Sam's Club is selling Hallmark Keepsake ornaments for $5 each. All proceeds go to Tod Children's Hospital. One-day shopping passes are available for people who are not members.
Police to start programs
BOARDMAN -- The township police department has begun a program to increase the enforcement of speed, seat-belt and child-restraint laws. The program, which began Wednesday, runs through Dec. 23.
The intent of the program is to reduce the number of injury crashes by keeping the speed of vehicles to the posted limits and promoting the use of seat belts and child restraints. The primary target areas are Market Street, Glenwood Avenue and Southern Boulevard.
The police department also will conduct a blitz to crack down on drunken drivers on weekends between Friday and Jan. 3. Officers will work overtime in an effort to reduce the number of alcohol-related crashes.
Funding for both programs comes from grants awarded by the Governor's Highway Safety Office.
Calling for patrol's help
The Ohio State Highway Patrol, anticipating heavy traffic over the Thanksgiving holiday weekend, is urging highway travelers to call (877) 7-PATROL if they see an unsafe driver or disabled motorist.
During the Thanksgiving holiday last year, 19 people were killed in 17 crashes on Ohio roads, including one pedestrian.
2 die in Pa. turnpike crash
NEW GALILEE, Pa. (AP) -- A car went out of control and crashed into a tree on the Pennsylvania Turnpike, killing a 19-year-old from Philadelphia and a 3-year-old from New Jersey, and injuring two others, state police said.
State police said the crash happened at 12:36 a.m. in New Beaver, about six miles from the Ohio border in the eastbound lanes of the toll road. An adult passenger in the car, Sabrina L. Norman, 19, of Philadelphia, and a toddler, Alani Mason, 3, of Bridgeton, N.J., were killed. The driver of the car, Mary Mason, 19, and her other child, 10-month-old Zion Mason, both of Bridgeton, N.J., were taken to Pittsburgh hospitals with injuries.
Mason was treated for a broken leg at UPMC Presbyterian and Zion was taken to Children's Hospital with liver lacerations, police said.
The car struck the tree on its front and right side, shearing the passenger side and spinning the car 180 degrees, police said.
Police were continuing their investigation Wednesday evening.