Driver dies in crash

Driver dies in crash
YOUNGSTOWN -- A one-car crash at 1:10 a.m. today on Interstate 680 at the Oakwood Avenue entrance ramp killed Thomas Kastello Jr., 24, of Matthews Road, Boardman.
Two passengers, Gary Bilchik of Campbell and Mike Gonda of Struthers, were injured.
They were in stable condition this morning in St. Elizabeth Health Center.
Lt. Mark Milstead said Kastello's car went off the right side of road, struck the guardrail and overturned.
The car, a 2003 Volkswagen Jetta, came to rest on the passenger side. Kastello was ejected and pinned under the car, Milstead said.
The accident remains under investigation.
Cost of raises estimated
AUSTINTOWN -- Township Clerk Michael Kurish estimates that the 3 percent pay raises trustees have offered to road department employees and clerical staff each year for the next three years could cost $310,000 to $315,000 over three years.
Kurish said he didn't have the cost estimates on hand when contacted by The Vindicator about the raises last week.
The raises for the road department employees would cost about $275,000, and the raises for the clerical staff would cost between $35,000-$40,000, he said. He noted the cost may increase over the years based on increases in the cost of health care.
Trustees also offered 3 percent raises for each of the next three years to part-time firefighters. Kurish said the cost of the part-time firefighter raises would be determined by the number of hours the firefighters work.
The raises are part of three-year contract offers.
The unions have not taken action on the offers.
Parking restricted
LOWELLVILLE -- Parking along a designated section of Wood Street is prohibited beginning Thursday.
Construction of curbs and driveway approaches, part of the Wood Street storm water management project, is slated to begin Thursday, and no vehicles will be permitted to park along the street in the construction area until all work is completed. The anticipated completion date is July 2.
The area affected runs from Youngstown-Lowellville Road and Walnut Street to Wood and Watson streets.
For more information, call the village hall, (330) 536-6415.
Water safe in 2003
YOUNGSTOWN -- The city water department had no violations reported for 2003 in its Consumer Confidence Report, required under the U.S. Safe Drinking Water Act.
The results are based on 65,000 laboratory tests for 125 regulated and unregulated contaminants and 20 secondary contaminants.
The city buys water from the Mahoning Valley Sanitary District and distributes about 21 million gallons per day via 750 miles of pipes to Youngstown, Austintown, Boardman, Canfield Township and Liberty.
The city also sells water in bulk to Mineral Ridge, Girard, the city of Canfield and North Jackson.
Career fair for youths
YOUNGSTOWN -- The sixth annual Youngstown Area Urban League's career fairs are scheduled for East and Hillman middle schools.
The fairs bring in men and women representing various jobs and careers to show young people the preparation and skills needed to obtain jobs in those chosen professions.
Business owners and entrepreneurs also donate their time to attend the career fairs.
The first fair will be from 7:30 to 10:30 a.m. May 13 at East Middle School, 1544 East High Ave. The second fair will be at the same hours May 20 at Hillman Middle School, 164 W. Myrtle Ave.
To participate in the career fair, contact Gwendolyn Fish, program coordinator, at (330) 744-4111 or e-mail her at gwendolynfish@hotmail.com.
Mother's Day dinner
LIBERTY -- Holy Trinity Missionary Baptist Church will have its annual Mother's Day dinner at 2:30 p.m. Sunday at St. Mark's Hall.
The guest speaker will be the Rev. Stephanie Ashmore-Jenkins of the Rehovoth Pentecostal Temple.
Tickets are $16 for adults, $8.50 for youths under age 12 and $13.50 for clergy and their spouses.
For reservations, call (330) 782-8929 or (330) 744-5879.