2 injured in wreck

2 injured in wreck
NEW CASTLE, Pa. -- A local man and a passenger in his car suffered critical injuries when their Chevrolet Cavalier collided with a utility pole in Wilmington Township, Pennsylvania State Police said.
Ronald Bake, 21, was headed north on state Route 158 at 12:18 a.m. Saturday when he lost control around a curve in the road. The car crossed over a berm, struck a culvert in a private driveway and flew into a utility pole, police said.
Bake and Clark Stephenson, 23, of Butler, Pa., were taken to St. Elizabeth Health Center in Youngstown. Both remained in critical condition Saturday evening, according to a hospital spokeswoman.
Police said the 1988 Cavalier sustained heavy damage, and they had not determined what caused Bake to lose control. The accident is under investigation.
Home-buying seminar
YOUNGSTOWN -- The Youngstown Area Urban League's "My House" classes for first-time home buyers start at 5 p.m. Thursday.
The free program is for people in Mahoning Trumbull, Lawrence and Columbiana counties.
The program allows housing clients access to complete financial literacy workshops, and they will receive a certificate that is accepted to begin the loan process. The pre-approval and the actual loan is available to clients who complete all requirements of the program, making shopping for a home from start to finish done under one roof, say YAUL officials.
For more information, call the YAUL's housing specialist at (330) 743-1384 or visit the league offices at 1350 Fifth Ave., Suite 300.
County meeting set
WARREN -- The Trumbull County Board of Elections has scheduled a special meeting for 9:30 a.m. Tuesday at its 2947 Youngstown Road S.E. office.
The board will continue its planning for a presidential vote recount in Ohio, should one be necessary.
Motorist hits pedestrian
BOARDMAN -- A motorist knocked down a pedestrian and hit two parked cars and a roof support column after his foot got stuck under the gas pedal of his car in a South Avenue shopping center parking lot.
Joseph K. Vrable, 72, of Centennial Drive, Poland, was struck from behind by a car driven by Philip P. Tomko, 75, of West Wilson Avenue, Girard, police said. The accident happened in Matthew's Square Plaza at 11:35 a.m. Wednesday, police said.
Vrable, who moved away from the car after he was hit, was treated at St. Elizabeth's Health Center, police said.
Tomko was charged with failure to keep his car under control.
Flagpole reported stolen
AUSTINTOWN -- A 25-foot flagpole was stolen from the grounds of Certified Oil on North Canfield Niles Road.
The theft apparently occurred on Dec. 2 or 3, police said, but it was not reported until Thursday.
Gardening classes
CORTLAND -- The Ohio State University master gardener program in Trumbull County is now taking applications for 2005.
Classes will be 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. each Wednesday for 14 weeks beginning Feb. 2. Most of the classes will be held at the Trumbull County Agricultural and Family Center located in Cortland.
Training includes lessons in many horticultural topics, including fruits and vegetables, lawns, shrubs, plant diseases and insects.
Newly trained class members will be required to provide 50 hours of volunteer horticultural education programming to the community through the OSU Extension in Trumbull County.
Registration is $175; contact Steve Hudkins, master gardener coordinator, at the extension office, 520 W. Main St., (330) 637-3530, by Wednesday.