South Side fire probed

South Side fire probed
YOUNGSTOWN -- City fire officials are investigating the cause of a Friday afternoon fire at 1916 Summer St. on the city's South Side. The fire was confined to the attic of the three-story home, said Capt. Conrad Lockiec, acting battalion chief. No injuries were reported to the occupants -- Mark Gillmore, Laura Crites and five children ranging in age from 5 to 16. Losses are estimated at $10,000.
'Garden Wonderland'
YOUNGSTOWN -- Mill Creek MetroParks will host "Winter Celebration -- A Garden Wonderland" at the Davis Center in Fellows Riverside Gardens from Dec. 5 through Jan. 2. Sponsored by Professional Risk Management, highlights include winter garden scenes, floral displays, gingerbread creations and a woodcarving exhibit. Gardens by Candlelight takes place from 5:30 to 8:30 p.m. Dec. 5. Those attending will have a candlelight tour of the gardens followed by music and refreshments in the Davis Center. No reservations are required. The Davis Center is open Tuesday through Sunday form 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. The center will be closed Christmas and New Year's Day. For information, (330) 740-7116.
Man's car vandalized
YOUNGSTOWN -- A 56-year-old Boardman man who left his disabled car in the Auto Zone parking lot at 3323 Market St. went to pick it up Thursday and found that it had been vandalized, reports show. All four tires had been slashed, the driver's door window was smashed and four bullet holes were found in the windshield above the steering wheel. Police recovered four .380-caliber casings from the parking lot. The owner had to have the car, a 1981 Chevrolet Monte Carlo, towed.
Help for animal shelters
WARREN -- The Animal Welfare League of Trumbull County is encouraging Giant Eagle shoppers to use their Advantage cards when they buy Purina brand dog and cat treats. Purina says it will provide shelters with the opportunity to receive a portion of 67,000 Purina brand dog and cat treats that will be donated to help sheltered animals awaiting adoption. This holiday campaign to help homeless pets begins Dec. 9 and runs through Jan. 5. For more information, call Debbie Serbati, shelter director in Trumbull County, at (330) 394-3880.
Bullet hole in house
YOUNGSTOWN -- Gunfire reported at 10:15 p.m. Thursday in the 500 block of East Philadelphia Avenue may be related to a bullet hole the resident of a house in the 700 block of East Florida Avenue found in an attic wall when he went to bed at 10:30 p.m., police said. Police said the 9mm bullet had apparently penetrated the attic wall and then ricocheted off another wall and landed on the floor. The bullet was taken as evidence.
Watercolors exhibition
NEW CASTLE, Pa. -- The Pennsylvania Watercolor Society and the Hoyt Institute of Fine Arts, 124 E. Leasure Ave., are celebrating their 25th annual international exhibition. Talented artists from around the world have gathered their best works for the event. Show dates began Tuesday and continue through Dec. 23. The opening reception, which is free and open to the public, is scheduled from 2 to 4 p.m. Sunday. Showcased along with the international exhibit in the Hoyt's Sunroom Gallery is a watercolors exhibition by artist Jocelyn Beatty of West Middlesex.
LIHEAP in Pennsylvania
HARRISBURG -- Rep. Rod Wilt, R-Greenville, is reminding residents struggling with home-heating costs that they can apply for Pennsylvania's Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program. LIHEAP, funded by the federal government and administered by the state Department of Public Welfare, helps low-income households pay their heating bills and provides assistance to individuals in danger of losing heat because of emergency situations. Eligible residents can continue submitting applications through March 24 or until funding is depleted. Households with an annual income of up to 135 percent of the federal poverty level qualify. Grants are based on family size, income, type of heating fuel and heating regions. To apply, call or visit the local county assistance office to set up an appointment. For more information, contact the county assistance office or call the toll-free LIHEAP hot line at (866) 857-7095.