A send-off for Miss Ohio

A send-off for Miss Ohio
YOUNGSTOWN -- The Miss Ohio Scholarship Program will host a send-off celebration for Miss Ohio, Amanda Beagle of Howland, as she prepares to head to Atlantic City, N.J., and the Miss America Pageant. The celebration takes place from 3 to 5 p.m. Sunday at Powers Auditorium in downtown Youngstown. A hors d'oeuvres reception will be served from 3 to 4:30 p.m., and the send-off ceremonies start at 5 p.m. The celebration is open to the public. Reception and celebration tickets are $25; celebration-only tickets, $10. For more information call the Miss Ohio office at (419) 522-6677.
Improvements to park
CORTLAND -- Willow Park will be improved this fall with new playground equipment for young children and an improved tennis court surface.
On Monday, city council voted to spend $4,419 on equipment including a play rock wall and giant tic-tac-toe set, Mayor Curt Moll said. The three tennis courts at the park are also to be painted and re-striped, at a cost of $9,300, he said. The work is expected to be under way soon, as Lakeview Schools will be using the courts for practice this year, he said.
Council also unanimously approved the third and final reading of an ordinance rezoning Anthony Circle and Laura Lane for single-family homes only. The streets had previously been zoned service, a designation that allows some retail use, even though it has been developed as residential.
Two struck by vehicle
NILES -- A woman and an 11-year-old girl were crossing U.S. Route 422 at North Road on Monday night when they were struck by a gray sport utility vehicle, which fled the scene.
Niles Police received numerous calls on two people in the middle of the road at 9:42 p.m. Witnesses said that a gray SUV fled heading toward Warren.
"The vehicle struck and dragged the girl a short distance and continued west," said John Marhulik, Niles traffic officer. The victims, whose identities and extent of injuries were not disclosed this morning, were taken to St. Elizabeth Health Center.
Drug charges
GIRARD -- A traffic stop resulted in the arrest of two men on drug charges. William Watt of South Lorain Street is charged with possession of drug paraphernalia, trafficking in drugs and possession of a drug abuse instrument. Nicholas Houseman of Fox North Road, Hubbard is charged with drug abuse and possession of drug paraphernalia.
Police stopped a van leaving a home on South Davis Street around 4 p.m. Saturday for expired registration, and noticed the occupants were trying to shove their feet under the seats. Police found a digital scale, prescription pills, suspected cocaine and $485 in cash. Houseman was found with a suspected marijuana pipe and more than 14 grams of suspected marijuana.
Motivational event
WARREN -- The Back to School Blow Out will be from 6 to 8 p.m. Wednesday at Third Christian Church, 241 First St. The event aims to encourage and motivate young people to be successful as they start school. Youth leaders will share information on how to stay focused and avoid distractions. Teen representatives from the Young Black Men's Organization will discuss the importance of volunteering and participating in extracurricular activities to avoid getting in trouble by having too much idle time. Wil Harris, community projects coordinator for U.S. Rep. Tim Ryan, D-17, will be the special guest.
Makeover for center
GIRARD -- Pupils at Mines Elementary in the Howland school district are winners of a media center makeover. Karen Salvo of Biviano Carpet One in Girard said the school was chosen after area residents cast ballots at the local store. Elementary schools in Niles, Girard, Warren, Champion, Weathersfield, Bazetta, Cortland, Hubbard and Howland were eligible.
Salvo said store employees will work with the school's administration to determine if the school's library or media center needs new flooring, paint or other work. The contest is part of national Make A Difference Day, which takes place Oct. 23. Carpet One stores across the country participated in the makeover event.