School construction pact

School construction pact
BELOIT -- West Branch Board of Education awarded a $435,900 contract Wednesday to Soda Construction of Niles for construction of Damascus Elementary. The new school is part of the district's $36.9 million Ohio School Facilities Commission project. URS/O'Brien Kreitzberg, Inc., construction program manager, as well as the architectural firm Ricciuti, Balog & amp; Partners, recommended acceptance of Soda's bid.
Documents showed that a low bid of $269,814 by Stitle Construction of Salem was withdrawn because it did not meet bid specifications.
Political conference
NEW CASTLE, Pa. -- Lawrence County District Attorney Matthew Mangino will join nearly 250 up-and-coming leaders from around the country for the Democratic Leadership Council's 2004 National Convention in Phoenix, Ariz., on Friday and Saturday. Sen. John Kerry of Massachusetts, the Democratic presidential hopeful, will deliver the keynote address. The theme of this year's event is "Real Reformers. Real Results." Other featured speakers are Iowa Gov. Tom Vilsack, New Mexico Gov. Bill Richardson and Oklahoma Gov. Brad Henry.
Deputy, others injured
LISBON -- A Columbiana County Sheriff's Department deputy and two others were treated at an area hospital after a two-car crash on state Route 154 on the southeast side of the village. According to the Ohio State Highway Patrol, Evelyn Abramson, 50, of Youngstown stopped at the intersection of a private drive and state Route 154 around 6:10 p.m. Wednesday. She then tried to turn left onto Route 154 and pulled onto the highway and into the path of a sheriff's department cruiser driven by Jennifer Tucker, 23 of Lisbon, a deputy. Both drivers and Michael Guerney, 23, of East Palestine, a passenger in the cruiser, were treated at Salem Community Hospital. A Lisbon Police Department spokesman said although the crash occurred in the village limits, the patrol handled the crash because Tucker was formerly a village police officer.
Abramson was cited for failure to yield, the patrol said.
Police out on prom nights
BOARDMAN -- High school students attending the prom this weekend will see an increase in police presence on township roads. The township police department will be stepping up traffic enforcement Friday and Saturday. Officers will be looking for intoxicated drivers and young reckless drivers.
Promotion at museum
COLUMBUS -- Nancy Haraburda has been promoted to site manager of the Youngstown Historical Center of Industry and Labor, where she has been an education specialist since 1993, the Ohio Historical Society announced. The museum, which opened in 1992, documents the iron and steel industry in the Mahoning Valley.
Downtown parade planned
YOUNGSTOWN -- There will be a parade downtown at noon June 20 on Commerce Street from South to Fifth avenues to kick off a week of events leading to the Greater Youngstown Area Soap Box Derby.
Those interested in participating in the parade need to contact coordinator John R. Swierz before June 15 at (330) 788-5114.
The derby, which will be June 26 and 27, is seeking volunteers. Volunteers can sign up by calling the derby at (330) 727-4114.
Partnership workshop
YOUNGSTOWN -- The Tri-County Partnership for Excellence in Teacher Education conducts its end-of-year workshop and luncheon from 8:45 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Tuesday at Youngstown State University in the Ohio Room of Kilcawley Center.
The event features a speech by Benjamin L. McGee, superintendent of the Youngstown City School District. McGee will talk about the importance of partnerships.
A luncheon will be held in the Jones Room of Kilcawley Center, hosted by Robert Bolla, dean of YSU's College of Arts and Sciences, and Philip Ginnetti, dean of the YSU Beeghly College of Education.
The partnership was formed by a $2.5 million federal grant acquired by YSU to form partnerships with local school districts. The five-year grant, which expires this year, is the largest grant ever received by YSU. The partnership involves YSU, and the Youngstown, Warren and Beaver school districts. YSU faculty members from education and arts/sciences work on-site in selected local school buildings as faculty-in-residence.
Bill on technical colleges
COLUMBUS -- Technical colleges not co-located with another college or university would be able to acquire and issue obligations for housing and dining facilities, under a bill the Ohio Senate passed 30-2 Wednesday. The bill, sponsored by state Sen. Joy Padgett, a Coshocton Republican, must be considered by the Ohio House. Of the state's eight technical colleges, Hocking College in Nelsonville is the only one not co-located with another college. Right now, technical colleges are prohibited from acquiring housing and dining facilities. Before the state prohibited that, though, Hocking College had leased a residence hall.