Big Lots in Salem

Big Lots in Salem
SALEM -- Big Lots, a Columbus-based discount chain, plans to open a store on the city's east side near the end of November. The store will be at 2350 E. State St., the location of a former Ames store, Slyvia Roddick, a Big Lots spokeswoman, said today. About 40 full- and part-time employees are expected to work at the store. Big Lots does not release pay information, Roddick said.
Big Lots operates nearly 1,400 stores in 45 states. The company specializes in close-out merchandise -- name-brand products acquired from manufacturers who want to reduce inventory.
Brothers plead innocent
YOUNGSTOWN -- Two Pennsylvania brothers accused of roughing up a union representative at a nonunion construction site on West Rayen Avenue will be back in municipal court Oct. 31 for a pretrial hearing. Michael Romano, 37, of Hall Town Road, Wampum, and Thomas Romano, 33, of McClelland Road, New Castle, pleaded innocent at arraignment Wednesday. Both men, employees of Cleveland Asphalt of Bessemer, Pa., are charged with assault and criminal damaging. They are each free on $4,500 bond. Blaine Daugherty III, 31, of Willoughby Hills, Ohio, a member of the Laborers International Union of North America, told police he was videotaping the paving work Tuesday when the Romanos beat him up.
Bicentennial barns
SALEM -- Marilyn Kerr Johnson will present a program titled "Ohio's Bicentennial Barns." The free event, hosted by the Salem Historical Society, is set for 7 p.m. Tuesday at the historical society, 208 S. Broadway Ave. Johnson has interviewed the painter of barns throughout Ohio that have been painted with the logo marking the state's 200th anniversary. She will present anecdotes gathered from visiting Ohio's 88 counties and their bicentennial barns.
Organic farmer to speak
SLIPPERY ROCK, Pa. -- Eliot Coleman, a Maine-based organic farmer and author who has been on national television, will lecture at 7 p.m. Oct. 25 at Slippery Rock University's University Union, giving students and the public insight into his 30 years of farming and vision for the future of sustainable farming. Sustainability refers to the connection between environmental policy and economics. Admission is free for SRU students; $3 for students from other schools and $5 for the public. Tickets may be purchased at the door.
Autism workshop
YOUNGSTOWN -- Potential Development Program, a private nonprofit Youngstown-Mahoning Valley United Way agency that provides services for children diagnosed with autism, mental retardation, attention deficit and hyperactivity disorders, offers a workshop on working with children and adults with autism at 9 a.m. Thursday at Our Lady of Mount Carmel Hall, 343 Via Mount Carmel. The two-hour conference is open to the public. There is a $15 fee. Call (330) 746-7641 for information.
Firefighter honored
NEW SPRINGFIELD -- Springfield Township trustees honored Al Rivalsky, a township firefighter and EMS volunteer, who created a training program for the fire department's Explorer Post for youths ages 13 to 18, and has contributed 348 hours of volunteer service. He has been a member of the fire department for 7 1/2 years.
Jobs seminar offered
FARRELL, Pa. -- A session called "Tell Me About Jobs and More" is offered through the Farrell office of Northwest Legal Services from 5:30 to 7 p.m. Wednesday. For more information, contact AWARE Legal Advocate program (724) 662-3800, Ext. 2542. Education seminars are offered to educate victims of domestic violence about available options and local resources. One of the goals is to help the victim of domestic violence empower herself through knowledge.
October is Domestic Violence Awareness Month.