Man pleads innocent

Man pleads innocent
WARREN -- A 55-year-old Youngstown man has pleaded innocent to 10 counts of gross sexual imposition. Larry Shaffer, of Dennick Avenue, entered the pleas Monday in Trumbull County Common Pleas Court. Shaffer was indicted on the charges last week and is being held in the county jail in lieu of a $20,000 bond. Tom Wrenn, an assistant county prosecutor, said Shaffer is accused of having sexual contact with a 10-year-old boy that he knew. A pretrial hearing is scheduled for Wednesday in the courtroom of Judge W. Wyatt McKay.
Manslaughter charge
WARREN -- A Leavittsburg man has pleaded innocent to a manslaughter charge. Jason Airwyke, 27, entered the plea Monday in municipal court and was released from jail after posting a $50,000 bond. Police said Airwyke fought with Jeff Smith, 44, of Parkman Road, in the parking lot of a local bar around 5 a.m. Saturday. Smith fell to the ground during the fight, reports state. Smith was taken to St. Joseph Health Center, where he died Sunday.
Informational forum
LIBERTY -- Representatives from Northeastern Ohio Public Energy Council will be host an informational forum at 7 tonight. The meeting will be in the township administration building. NOPEC representative Keary McCarthy will explain the process of how to get aggregation of public utilities like gas and electricity on the ballot. NOPEC representatives also will outline steps required to join the council. The general public is encouraged to attend.
Flu, pneumonia shots
YOUNGSTOWN -- Influenza and pneumonia shots will be offered from 8:30 to 11:30 a.m. Monday at the Youngstown City Health District, 345 Oak Hill Ave., to anyone age 3 and older. No one will be screened, and an appointment is not necessary.
The cost of the flu shot is $10, and the pneumonia vaccine is $25. There is no out-of-pocket cost for Medicare Part B recipients if they have no HMO or additional insurance, but they must bring their Medicare card.
Music conference at YSU
YOUNGSTOWN -- The Dana School of Music at Youngstown State University will host the annual Ohio Music Education Association District 5 Conference on Friday and Saturday.
The conference will bring about 1,000 area music students to campus to rehearse and perform in four honors ensembles, including a junior high honors band and choir, and a high school honors band and choir.
The ensembles will rehearse on campus Friday and present concerts Saturday. The concerts are expected to attract about 1,500 family members and teachers to the campus.
Other events for the conference will include concerts and clinics presented by faculty and students from the Dana School of Music.
Vandals damage overpass
YOUNGSTOWN -- Vandals struck construction equipment parked at the state Route 711 overpass near Gypsy Lane and the project manager told police Monday that it will cost thousands of dollars to repair. Police said various tractors and paving equipment were damaged. Windows were smashed on a backhoe and someone tried to hot-wire it by prying off the dashboard. The control panel and headlights on a concrete paver were smashed and a fire extinguisher was used to spray the machine. Gauges were broke and wires pulled out of a concrete cutter saw. The damage disabled the machinery, reports show.