Dan Polivka sworn in as county commissioner

Dan Polivka sworn inas county commissioner
WARREN -- Former city Councilman at large Dan Polivka 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 safety-service director.
Robert Dean, Nicholas Ballas, John Hunter, Tristan Hand and Phil Romain have submitted letters of interest for the council-at-large seat, Democratic Chairman Christ Michelakis said.
Robert Marchese and Manuel Michelakis expressed interest in the council president seat, he said.
Case goes to grand jury
NEWTON FALLS -- A Trumbull County grand jury will soon decide if a 24-year-old Niles man who shot himself while sitting in the back seat of a Trumbull County deputy sheriff's cruiser should face criminal charges.
Kevin Spina, who faces three charges of burglary and a single count of improper handling of a firearm in a motor vehicle, waived his right to a preliminary hearing Tuesday in Newton Falls Municipal Court. It is unknown when the grand jury will hear his case.
The charges stem from Spina's attempted suicide Dec. 8. Spina, who had been arrested earlier on burglary charges, shot himself while handcuffed and sitting in the back seat of Sgt. Donald Hyde's cruiser.
The bullet went through Spina's palate, officials said. Spina spent several days in an Akron hospital.
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.
Girard school board
GIRARD -- The board of education has changed its January meeting to 5:30 p.m. next Wednesday at the high school cafeteria.
A community forum to discuss the 7.4-mill continuing operating school levy that will appear on the March 2 primary ballot will be at 7 p.m. after the board meeting at the high school auditorium.
Those wanting to serve on the levy committee should contact levy committee co-chairmen Bob Delisio, (330) 545-6121, or Midge Stevens, (330) 545-3834.
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.
Lordstown council
LORDSTOWN -- With some new faces on board, village leaders agreed to set a new meeting time for council.
Council, along with new Mayor Michael Chaffee, opted to change meeting times from 5 to 6 p.m. Council will still meet the first and third Mondays of each month at the administration building, with the regular meeting immediately after the caucus session.
Council also agreed to add a new section of public comment to its regular agenda. Traditionally, the audience was restricted to speaking after reports from department heads, but before reports from council committee leaders. That portion remains intact, but a new public remarks session will be added just before adjournment to allow for comment on legislation addressed and old and new business discussed.
The new meeting times take place effective with the Feb. 2 meeting.