Claims against Chi-Chi's

Claims against Chi-Chi's
MONACA, Pa. (AP) -- Chi-Chi's has so far paid out less than $1 million to settle claims against the chain restaurant where the nation's largest hepatitis A outbreak occurred last fall, an official said.
About 200 of the 660 people known to have been infected in the outbreak have sought out-of-pocket reimbursements from the restaurant, and about 70 percent to 75 percent of those claims have been settled, according to Chi-Chi's chief operating officer Bill Zavertnik.
Zavertnik was at the Mexican restaurant at the Beaver Valley Mall on Saturday in a promotional event to get people to return. Zavertnik said business has continued to lag since the restaurant reopened in mid-January.
Chi-Chi's regular Penny Kaluza, 46, of Hopewell, said the outbreak hasn't deterred her and her mother, Alice Hradil, from dining at the restaurant.
"We ate here before, and we're back," Hradil said. "Right now, I would say this is the safest restaurant around, with all the inspections and everything."
The company voluntarily closed the restaurant Nov. 2 after people began falling ill. The outbreak killed three people.
'Inherit the Wind' events
HUBBARD -- Hubbard Public Library is among public libraries in Trumbull and Ashtabula counties planning book discussions and other activities based on the book "Inherit the Wind," by Ohio authors Jerome Lawrence and Robert E. Lee. The book is a fictionalized account of the 1925 Scopes trial, which pitted defense attorney Clarence Darrow against the fundamentalist orator William Jennings Bryan over the teaching of evolution in the classroom.
Participants are invited to read the book March 1 to April 16, then join in book discussions at various libraries, or a performance of "Clarence Darrow: a One-Man Play" at 6:30 p.m. March 13 at the Trumbull County Courthouse and at 7 p.m. March 29 at Edgewood High auditorium. Screenings of the film version of the book have been scheduled at several libraries.
The Friends of Hubbard Public Library will sponsor a community book discussion of "Inherit the Wind" at 7 p.m. April 7. Visit the library for more information. Multiple copies of the book are available.
New post at TCTC
CHAMPION -- Frank Fuller, adult education director at Trumbull Career and Technical Center, has resigned his position and been appointed to a newly created post.
Fuller will earn $69,300 annually as supervisor for instruction and grants. He'll work to procure grants for the center.
"There are a lot of grants available, and he has experience with grants," said Wayne McClain, TCTC superintendent.
The change was effective today.
Vicki Thompson becomes the interim adult education director and will earn $62,332 annually. Thompson formerly worked in human resources and supervisory training at the adult center.