3 use unlicensed tatooist; skin infections result

3 use unlicensed tatooist;skin infections result
LISBON -- The Columbiana County Health Department has issued a warning that an unlicensed tattooist is working throughout the county.
Three people, who refused to name the tattooist, were recently diagnosed with a common type of skin infection.
The health department said that clean needles were used in each case but the tattoo site was not properly sterilized. The three likely contracted the infection because the same cloth was used to wipe the blood from their tattoos.
The health department urged all people thinking about getting a tattoo to make sure the person is licensed by the health department. Anyone tattooed by an unlicensed person should seek testing for HIV, and Hepatitis C and B.
Anyone with information about the tattooist should call the health department at (330) 424-0272.
Single firefightercontains house blaze
GREENVILLE, Pa. -- Fire Chief Steve Thompson said the quick work of a single firefighter prevented a blaze from spreading in a South Second Street home.
Lt. Mike Cadman was working the shift alone when the alarm came in around 9:15 a.m. at the home of David Stephens at 109 S. Second St.
Cadman took a pumper truck to the scene and contained the blaze to a single second-floor room, Thompson said, adding that four other firefighters reached the scene a short time later.
There was heat damage throughout the second floor and some smoke damage to the first floor, but no one was injured, Thompson said.
The blaze was determined to be an accidental electrical fire, he said.
Springfield levy
NEW MIDDLETOWN -- The Springfield Board of Education is reminding proponents of the personal income tax levy renewal that yard signs displaying that support are still available at the board of education office.
During Tuesday's general election, district residents will vote on whether to renew the 1 percent personal income tax levy, which is to expire at the end of the year.
District residents interested in obtaining yard signs should call board member Peggy Jones at (330) 549-5230 or contact the board office.
Fire equipment grants
SHARPSVILLE, Pa. -- The Sharpsville and Hempfield Township volunteer fire departments have been awarded federal grant funds to buy equipment.
Sharpsville is getting $45,586, and Hempfield will receive $82,959.
The money comes from the Federal Emergency Management Agency and the U.S. Fire Administration.
Schools open house
EAST PALESTINE -- The city school district will have an open house at all district buildings noon to 2 p.m. Sunday.
Superintendent Jeff Richardson said all residents and friends of the district are welcome to tour the new and renovated facilities.
Thanksgiving dinners
COLUMBIANA -- The Way Station is accepting reservations through Nov. 12 for free Thanksgiving dinners at its Columbiana and Lisbon sites.
Carla Sukosd, the agency's food pantry director, said anyone is welcome at the dinners, not just those who have nowhere else to go.
The Columbiana dinner will be from 1 to 3 p.m. Nov. 24 at the Way Station facility at 42131 state Route 14.
The Lisbon dinner will be 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Nov. 25 at the Lisbon Church of the Nazarene, 509 N. Market St. Delivery will be available from both sites.
For more information, call (330) 482-5072 for the Columbiana dinner and (330) 424-5255 for the Lisbon dinner.
Grants for flood victims
COLUMBUS -- Emergency management officials have approved 1,447 grants for housing repair and other assistance worth $2,494,678 for this year's flooding victims in the tri-county area, according to the Federal Emergency Management Agency.
The number and amount of grants approved in each county as of the close of business Monday was: 449 worth $1,107,108 in Columbiana County; 610 worth $707,513 in Mahoning County; and 388 worth $680,057 in Trumbull County.
The application deadline for disaster assistance is Nov. 18. To apply, call (800) 621-FEMA.