Reservists activated for local assignments

Reservists activatedfor local assignments
VIENNA -- Twenty-six Air Force reservists from the 910th Airlift Wing's 76th Aerial Port Squadron were activated effective today for 12 months.
The reservists, who have not received deployment orders, will initially be assigned here to do "home station support" with the 910th.
The 76th is responsible for loading cargo, heavy equipment, vehicles and supplies on the C-130 Hercules aircraft assigned to the 910th, which delivers personnel and cargo by airdrop and air land techniques anywhere in the world.
Sentenced in beating
YOUNGSTOWN -- A Willis Avenue man will serve four years in prison for beating up his ex-girlfriend. Lamont Belcher, 19, was sentenced Tuesday by Judge Jack Durkin of Mahoning County Common Pleas Court for a charge of felonious assault, to which he had previously pleaded guilty.
Assistant prosecutor Dawn Krueger said Belcher hit the victim in the head several times with a stick and with his fists, May 18, 2003. Several stitches were required.
Defense attorney Douglas B. Taylor had asked for minimum sentences or probation.
Belcher also received one-year sentences for unrelated charges of attempted robbery and possession of cocaine and OxyContin. Those sentences will be served at the same time as the felonious assault sentence.
Sworn in to county panel
WARREN -- Dan Polivka, former city councilman at large, was sworn in Tuesday as a Trumbull County commissioner in a ceremony at Warren G. Harding High School.
He was elected by Democratic precinct committee members last week to fill the year remaining to Michael O'Brien's term. O'Brien resigned as county commissioner this month to become mayor of Warren after his election to that post in November.
Democratic precinct committee members from Warren will meet Feb. 5 to select someone to replace Polivka as councilman at large and also someone to replace Doug Franklin as council president.
Franklin stepped down this month to become Warren safety-service director.
Robert Dean, Nicholas Ballas, John Hunter, Tristan Hand and Phil Romain have submitted letters of interest for the councilman-at-large seat, said Democratic Chairman Christ Michelakis, who is also county treasurer.
Robert Marchese and Manuel Michelakis expressed interest in the council president seat, he said.
Man gets 7 years in prison
YOUNGSTOWN -- Brent V. Furrie, 25, of Westchester Drive was sentenced Tuesday to four years in prison for charges of attempted felonious assault and attempting to discharge a firearm into a home.
Judge James C. Evans also sentenced him to three years for using a gun, making a total sentence of seven years.
Assistant prosecutor Jay Macejko said Furrie fired a gun at a man in front of a home on Charles Avenue, Boardman Township, in December 2002. The bullets missed the man but hit the house. No one was injured.
Defense attorney Steven Goldberg said Furrie acted out of an "emotional explosion," and that he didn't intend to hurt anyone.
Water-rate increase
WARREN -- Trumbull County commissioners are expected to approve today a water-rate increase for customers in the Mineral Ridge Water District.
The increase, from $4.40 per 1,000 gallons to $4.80 per 1,000 gallons, would go into effect Feb. 1.
Sanitary Engineer Thomas Holloway said that 17 cents of the increase is needed to offset an 8.5-percent increase in the amount the city of Youngstown charges for water.
The other 23 cents of the increase will cover the sanitary engineer's increased costs, he said.
Hubbard Twp. hearing
HUBBARD -- Township trustees will have a public hearing at noon Saturday at the township administration building to discuss amendments to zoning regulations.
A work session to discuss budget appropriations will follow.
The final meeting about the Maplewood Park Community Distress Grant application will be at 7 p.m. Thursday at the administration building.