Letter carriers' food drive

Letter carriers' food drive
YOUNGSTOWN -- Residents of Mahoning, Trumbull and Columbiana counties are asked to participate Saturday in the National Association of Letter Carriers' 12th annual National Food Drive by placing bags or boxes of nonperishable food items at their mailboxes.
The food will be picked up by carriers during their regular routes and divided among local food pantries. The event, considered the largest one-day food drive in the world, will be conducted locally by members of NALC Branch 385.
The food drive takes place in some 10,000 cities and towns throughout the 50 states and United States jurisdictions. The project is coordinated locally by NALC Branch 385, the Postal Service, Youngstown/Mahoning Valley United Way, AFL-CIO Community Services and Teamsters Local 377.
Boccieri returning
State Rep. John Boccieri of New Middletown, D-61st, was to return to the Statehouse today after a hiatus because of military duty in Iraq. Boccieri, a C-130 Air Force Reserve pilot, was away from the state Legislature since December, when he was called to active duty. Boccieri was to be at the Statehouse today and Wednesday for voting sessions and committee assignments.
Boccieri said he is optimistic that during the brief legislative session, the House will consider moving as an amendment a bill he sponsored to offer Ohio veterans' license plates for motorcycles. Boccieri expects to report for duty in the Middle East by the end of this month and be there at least through June 30.
YSU employee suspended
YOUNGSTOWN -- An employee of the Youngstown State University payroll department has been suspended without pay pending an investigation into allegations that he released false student-record information.
Darryl Adams, a financial service analyst, was suspended Monday, and university officials confiscated the computer he uses at work, university spokesman Ron Cole said.
Cole declined to elaborate on the nature of the allegations. He said no other YSU employees are being investigated.
"This is being viewed as an isolated condition," he said.
Adams has worked at YSU since November 1998. He makes an annual salary of $42,476.
Criminal-damaging case
STRUTHERS -- Richard M. Sebest, 30, of State Street will begin serving a 90-day jail sentence May 10 after being found guilty of criminal damaging in municipal court Monday.
Sebest had been charged with burglary stemming from a situation at a home in the 500 block of Fourth Street on March 8. Judge James R. Lanzo amended the charge and sentenced Sebest to 90 days in jail and one year of probation, and fined him $200 plus court costs.
Judge Lanzo also found Sebest guilty of resisting arrest and sentenced him to 90 days in jail with 60 days suspended, one year of probation and a fine of $200 plus court costs.
Sebest will serve his sentences concurrently.
Arms museum reopens
YOUNGSTOWN -- The Arms Family Museum of Local History, 648 Wick Ave., was to reopen today after being closed for a capital improvement project, the Mahoning Valley Historical Society has announced. Some exhibits will remain closed as work continues. That work is to be completed this summer. Museum hours are 1 to 5 p.m. Tuesday through Sunday.
Prom safety lectures
POLAND -- Township police are getting ready for the prom with intervention lectures for students and increased patrols for drunken drivers. The police department's school resource officer will give a three-day presentation on seat belt use and drinking and driving to all juniors and seniors. The department will increase police patrols Friday and Saturday, with a zero-tolerance policy for those drinking or not wearing a seat belt.
Trustee's home vandalized
LIBERTY -- The Keefer Road home of township Trustee Jack Simon has been vandalized with paint balls twice this week.
Simon told police four paint balls were fired at the house Sunday, damaging a screen. Monday, several balls struck the house without causing damage. The paint can be cleaned off the house.