Investigating man's death

Investigating man's death
WARREN -- Police are investigating the death of a 21-year-old Ferndale Avenue Southwest man. According to reports, someone called police at 12:12 a.m. today to report that Ryan Benson had been shot and was at 188 Ohio Ave. Reports did not state where the shooting took place or how many times Benson had been shot. The Trumbull County Coroner's office is to perform an autopsy later today, officials said. Sgt. John Delbene, who is investigating the matter, said he had no other details and no arrests have been made.
Water bills will increase
McDONALD -- Village water customers shouldn't be surprised when they see an increase in their next water bill.
Beginning with the April 1 billing cycle, the rates increase 30 cents for every 1,000 gallons used by those inside the village, and 45 cents for the same amount for users outside the village limits.
Mayor James W. Border is accepting applications from residents interested in serving on the village zoning appeals board. Application letters can be submitted at the municipal building, 451 Ohio Ave.
Also, village residents can participate in the Great American Clean-up and Community Pride Day beginning at 9 a.m. Saturday. Participants are to meet at the fire department that day to receive job assignments, such as litter pickup, mulching, painting and more. Call (330) 530-5472 for information.
Board changes meeting
McDONALD -- McDonald Board of Education has changed the date of its April meeting to 7:30 p.m. Monday in the high school library. The meeting had been scheduled for Thursday.
Aiming to build tower
NEWTON FALLS -- Cingular Wireless wants to build a 190-foot tower on city property next to the waste treatment plant. Village council gave first reading Monday to an ordinance agreeing to a lease with the telecommunications company. The city would get $14,400 the first year, with 3-percent increases annually after that for the 75-square foot parcel of land. Council will give the ordinance its final reading May 3.
Funds for waterways
COLUMBUS -- The Trumbull County Sheriff's Department will get $7,021 and the Portage County Sheriff $18,290 for boat patrols on recreational waterways this year. They are among 28 Ohio law enforcement agencies sharing in $541,000 in marine safety patrol grants, the Ohio Department of Natural Resources has announced. The grants, which require a minimum of 25 percent local funds, come from boat registration fees, the state gasoline tax and U.S. Coast funds.
Violation against church?
WARREN -- The Trumbull County Board of Health will consider a possible health code violation against Holy Cross Polish National Church in Howland at a board meeting Wednesday. Neighbors have complained that waste and construction debris has been dumped on a church-owned lot at North Road and Atlantic Avenue Northeast. The health department will also consider action against Marco's Cruise-In Grill in Vernon for having a septic system EPA officials say is not working. The EPA has asked the local health department to require Marco's to pump its septic tank and take other steps to fix the problem, officials said.
Author to visit library
WARREN -- Young adult fiction author William Sleator will sign books at the main branch of the Warren-Trumbull County Public Library at 11 a.m. Saturday. Sleator's latest book, "The Boy Who Couldn't Die," will be available for sale.
Progress in NIles talks
NILES -- The latest negotiating session between the board of education and the nonteaching staff was productive, a school official said.
Superintendent Patrick N. Guliano said representatives from the board and the Ohio Association of Public School Employees Local 365 met for more than seven hours Monday trying to hammer out an agreement.
The 122 members of the union, which represents cafeteria workers, secretaries, bus drivers and more, have been working under the terms of their old contract since it expired last year.
"We made some progress though we haven't signed a deal yet," Guliano said. He added the two sides plan to meet again with a federal mediator early next week.
Volunteers for cleanup
YOUNGSTOWN -- The Youngstown Environmental Studies Society is looking for volunteers to help with a campus cleanup it's sponsoring from 3:30 to 4:30 p.m. Thursday. Participants should meet outside the 127 Lincoln Ave. mailroom building on campus. Gloves and bags will provided; participants are asked to bring brooms if possible.