Boccieri won't seek post of assistant whip

Boccieri won't seek postof assistant whip
COLUMBUS -- State Rep. John Boccieri of New Middletown, D-57th, decided not to run for Assistant Minority Whip during the Ohio House Democratic Leadership Caucus. Boccieri's fellow Democratic legislators elected him to the position at the beginning of the 2003, but he resigned it in 2004 because he is a major in the Air Force Reserves and his military unit was called up to serve in Operation Iraqi Freedom. During this time he spent several months in the Middle East flying C-130 cargo planes. He decided not to seek the position this term because of the "uncertainty" with military call-ups. The Assistant Minority Whip is the fourth ranking Democrat in the Ohio House. Lance T. Mason of Cleveland, D-8th, who replaced Boccieri, was re-elected to the post Tuesday and will serve for two years beginning in January.
Fund-raising dinner
COLUMBIANA -- The junior class of Heartland Christian School, 28 Pittsburgh St., is having a fund-raising spaghetti dinner Friday from 3:30 to 6:30 p.m. in the school cafeteria. A free-will offering will be accepted for the dinner, with all funds going to the junior class fund. The school also will have its scholastic book fair that same day, and Monday and Tuesday. The book fair Friday is from 9 a.m. to 7:30 p.m.; 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday; and 9 a.m. to 8:30 p.m. Tuesday.
Rounding up parents
WARREN -- Trumbull County is one of 39 Ohio counties -- but the only one in the Mahoning Valley -- that participated Wednesday in a roundup of parents who are delinquent in paying their court-ordered child support. The Ohio Department of Job and Family Services said the roundup is the eighth to be held in cooperation with counties across the state. They are conducted in conjunction with the Buckeye State Sheriffs Association and county child support enforcement agencies. Failure to pay child support can result in arrest and jail time. Ohio collected a record $2 billion in child support in fiscal year 2004.
Thanksgiving spirit
YOUNGSTOWN -- Dr. Steven Novicky of Novicky Chiropractic, Belmont Avenue, and representatives of Roscoe's Poultry, Steel Street, presented between 600 and 700 pounds of turkey for Thanksgiving dinners Wednesday to Rescue Mission of the Mahoning Valley's resident center on Martin Luther King Junior Boulevard. Dr. Novicky also challenged all his patients to make a $10 donation to the mission for Thanksgiving. Jim Echement, mission director of development, says the response to the plea will be tracked, and the total amount received will be made public at the end of the month.
FIRST team breakfast
GIRARD -- Girard High School's FIRST Robotics team will have a pancake breakfast at Max and Erma's in Niles from 8 to 10 a.m. Saturday. Tickets for the all-you-can-eat buffet are $5 and can be purchased at the high school or from any team member. A limited number of tickets will be available at the door. This is the award-winning team's sixth year.
Town hall meeting
YOUNGSTOWN -- Councilman Richard W. Atkinson, R-3rd, will have a town hall meeting at 7 tonight at Park Vista Retirement Community, 1216 Fifth Ave. The meeting will provide an opportunity for the public to discuss issues and neighborhood concerns with elected officials and city department heads.
Candlelight vigil
WARREN -- LOSS -- Loving Outreach Surviving Suicide -- and SOS -- Survivors of Suicide -- will hold their sixth annual candlelight vigil at 6 p.m. Saturday at St. Pius X Church, 1401 Moncrest N.W. The vigil is in remembrance of loved ones who died by suicide. Participants are urged to bring a photo of their loved one. For more information, call Help Hotline Crisis Center, (330)747-2696.