Engineer workers' union files pact with county

Engineer workers' unionfiles pact with county
WARREN -- A labor contract with 61 office and road employees of county Engineer John Latell has been filed with Trumbull County commissioners.
The workers, represented by American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees Local 11/AFL-CIO, will receive a 3 percent pay raise over the three-year life of the contract.
The engineer will also increase payments to employees' pension funds by 4 percent over three years, reducing employees' out-of-pocket payments. The contract also included a reduction in health-care benefits.
Under the new contract, a janitor with two years' experience would make $12.69 an hour; an electrician with the same level of experience would make $18.49 an hour, officials said.
Room tax slated to goto regional airport
WARREN -- Trumbull County commissioners have allocated all of the county's 4 percent hotel-room tax to the Youngstown-Warren Regional Airport as of the end of next month.
The county convention and visitors bureau, which had received half of the room-tax funds, will be able to get through this year using the proceeds of taxes already collected, commissioners say.
The bureau has been operating off $200,000 savings since that money was brought to the attention of commissioners in December.
An additional $232,000 in sales-tax revenue earmarked for the convention bureau that the county has already collected will be forwarded to the bureau for its use, commissioners say.
The bureau will also receive some of the room-tax money collected before the tax is changed.
SCOPE to host card party
WARREN -- SCOPE Senior Center will host a card party from 1 to 5 p.m. April 18.
The cost to play is $5; reservations must be made in advance. Admission includes food, drinks and prizes.
For more information, call the center at (330) 399-8846.
Security worker reportspepper spray attack
NILES -- A supermarket employee told police he was assaulted with pepper spray when he tried to stop a couple from shoplifting.
The Warren man, who works security at Tops Friendly Markets on U.S. Route 422, said he noticed a man place items in his coat around 6:20 p.m. Tuesday and start to leave the store with a female companion without paying.
The security worker told police that when he tried to stop them, the male turned and sprayed him and another male employee with pepper spray.
According to reports, the couple -- described as a white male about 5 feet 8 inches tall and wearing a black hat, black coat and jeans, and a white female about 5 feet 4 inches tall with a long, dark ponytail -- left the parking lot in an unknown direction in a black Chevrolet Corsica with a red stripe.
Pain management event
LIBERTY -- A neurological conference, "Avenues for Pain Management," is Saturday from 7:15 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Holiday Inn MetroPlex, 1620 Motor Inn Drive.
Sponsored by the Mahoning Valley Epilepsy Fund and Help Hotline Crisis Center, the event includes sessions on acute and chronic pain, sleep disorders, psychological aspects of chronic pain, Reiki relaxation techniques, and the human aura.
The fee is $35 for professionals and $15 for the general public.
Call (330) 270-8037 to register.
Niles seeks applicationsfor MVSD board position
NILES -- City council members are accepting applications from anyone interested in serving a three-year term on the board of directors for the Mahoning Valley Sanitary District.
The term begins May 1.
Applications are being accepted at the clerk of council's office on the second floor of city hall, 34 W. State St.
Applicants must be city residents and should submit a letter indicating their interest in the appointment.
Applications are due by 4 p.m. April 12.
The MVSD board consists of four directors, two each from the member cities of Niles and Youngstown.