Friday, May 28, 2004
Lottery scam attempt
YOUNGSTOWN -- A 50-year-old McFarland Avenue woman who plays the Spanish lottery was informed by a representative of El Gordo Sweepstake Lottery in Madrid, Spain, that she'd won $615,810 -- but had to send in $1,500 to receive the prize.
The woman had already provided the representative in Madrid with her bank account information and a copy of her driver's license, which she was told was needed for direct deposit. When asked for the $1,500, the woman became suspicious and, after searching for the lottery online, discovered that it doesn't exist.
She reported the attempted scam to police Thursday.
Honoring fallen soldiers
YOUNGSTOWN -- Eight hundred pairs of black combat boots, each representing a U.S. soldier who has died in Iraq, will be on display from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Memorial Day in front of the Nathaniel Jones Federal Building, 10 Commerce St.
Each pair of boots is labeled with a soldier's name, rank, age and hometown. A photo of each fallen U.S. soldier, including nearly two dozen from Ohio, is also part of the display.
The exhibit includes a 24-foot wall of the names, ages and cause of death of Iraqi civilians who were killed in the war.
The exhibit is sponsored by the Northeast Ohio American Friends Service Committee, a Quaker social action organization.
Firefighter promotions
YOUNGSTOWN -- Two firefighters were promoted today by Fire Chief John J. O'Neill Jr.
David Cook was sworn in as captain and Robert Eckenrode as lieutenant. The positions were made available through retirements.
Arrested on drug charges
AUSTINTOWN -- Police arrested a 46-year-old township man on two misdemeanor drug charges after finding heroin-related items in a car in which he was a passenger.
Police reports show that officers found a torn wax bag, a spoon and a used and wet syringe near the seat of Robert D. Wilby, of South Beverly Avenue, around 7 p.m. Thursday.
He faces charges of possession of drug abuse paraphernalia and possession of drug abuse instruments. He also was arrested for failing to appear in Youngstown Municipal Court on two charges, including one drug abuse instrument charge and one traffic charge.
Wilby was arrested after police saw him in the car in Youngstown, appearing as if he were using heroin, an officer said. The car was stopped on Oakwood Avenue near Four Mile Run Road in Austintown after police determined its driver had a suspended license.
Stolen vehicle reported
AUSTINTOWN -- An Oakleigh Avenue woman has reported to township police that her husband's vehicle was stolen overnight.
The woman told officers the 1988 Chevrolet Astro van was stolen from the driveway sometime between 11 p.m. Wednesday and 7:30 a.m. Thursday.
Concealed weapon
YOUNGSTOWN -- Toney Mauzy, 22, of Francisca Avenue was issued a carrying a concealed weapon citation at 1:20 a.m. today outside Pal Joey's on Midlothian Boulevard.
A police officer said he saw Mauzy toss into his car what turned out to be an acrylic nunchaku with a chrome chain. A nunchaku is a Japanese-designed weapon that typically consists of hardwood sticks joined at the ends by rawhide, cord or chain.
Low-income assistance
YOUNGSTOWN -- Low-income households may receive assistance with their electric bills this summer from the Mahoning-Youngstown Community Action Partnership, 101 Federal Plaza East, Suite 200.
The agency will also provide a limited number of air conditioners to low-income households where someone has breathing problems verified by a medical professional.
Call (866) 223-1125 for an appointment. Applicants must bring their electric bills, proof of income and Social Security numbers for all household members 2 years of age and older when they appear for the appointment.
School district funding
GIRARD -- The city school district is the only one in the Mahoning Valley to be recommended for funding through the Ohio Schools Facilities Commission.
Gov. Bob Taft announced Thursday that 25 districts statewide have become eligible during the next fiscal year. The commission pays 75 percent of the cost for new school buildings or remodeling of current buildings.
Superintendent Marty Santillo said the school board has talked about constructing a new high school, which would require passage of a bond issue for the local share of construction. If the district opts to forgo eligibility, it will remain eligible the following fiscal year. If voters reject a bond issue three times, the district would go to the bottom of the eligibility list.