State official to speak

State official to speak
LIBERTY -- The Liberty board of education will host a presentation by Dr. Bob Bowers, deputy superintendent of schools for Ohio, beginning at 6 p.m. Tuesday.
Bowers will discuss school finance and the need for continued support by local communities. He will also address the impact of reductions to school programs.
Bowers will be accompanied by Paolo DeMaria and Scott Pennington from the Ohio Department of Education.
The free event will take place in the community room at Liberty High School.
Fire probe continues
GIRARD -- A fire that caused $200,000 in damages to a local apartment complex Friday is still under investigation. A fire report says the blaze was discovered just before 1 p.m. at a 10-unit apartment building at 201 S. Elruth Court. The fire was confined to one apartment, but the report says smoke damaged much of the building.
Training for tutors
WARREN -- The city schools state and federal programs will conduct a free four-part workshop to train volunteer literacy tutors at East Middle School.
The school is located directly behind Trumbull Memorial Hospital, 1470 South St. The sessions will run from 5:15 to 8:30 p.m. Oct. 12, 14, 19 and 21.
The workshop includes methods that will enable community volunteers to work with adult beginning readers with ease and confidence and doesn't require teaching experience.
At the end of the training program, each qualified participant will be certified as a literacy tutor.
To participate, contact Beth Trace, adult literacy coordinator, at (330) 841-2272 Ext. 257.
Event for Girl Scouts
NILES -- Girl Scouts of Lake to River Council will kick off the membership year with a celebration at the Niles Girl Scout office, 980 Warren Ave., on Saturday.
The event runs from 10 a.m.-1 p.m., featuring activities such as karaoke, a jumping balloon and a Pepsi Punt, Pass and Kick competition. Refreshments will be available, and the council shop will be open as well.
The events are open to current and potential Girl Scouts. Girl Scouts of Lake to River Council serves girls from age 5 through 17 in Ashtabula, Trumbull, Mahoning and Columbiana counties.
For information on the event, or about getting involved with Girl Scouts, call the office at (330) 652-5877 or (800) 362-9430.
Man remains in jail
YOUNGSTOWN -- A 21-year-old city man is in the Mahoning County jail after police say he punched and kicked his girlfriend.
Toriano Hines, of Parkwood Avenue, is charged with domestic violence. Reports say Hines' 20-year-old girlfriend was on the phone at 4:48 p.m. Saturday with a friend discussing the relationship when he overheard and reportedly struck her in the head with an ashtray.
The woman told police Hines then punched her in the head hard enough to knock her out of the chair and then began kicking and punching her.
Reports said the person the woman was talking to hung up and called police.
Officers observed a lump on the woman's forehead and her swollen left eye.
Police also took into evidence a 7mm Remington rifle Hines admitted he hid under the couch before officers arrived.
Playhouse reunion
YOUNGSTOWN -- Dozens of supporters were expected to gather at The Youngstown Playhouse from 1 to 5 p.m. today for a reunion picnic. The event is free and open to the public.
Historic preservation
NEW WILMINGTON, Pa. -- Anyone interested in starting a historic preservation group for the New Wilmington area is invited to attend an informal meeting at 8 p.m. Tuesday in the meeting room of Sky Bank at South Market Street and Neshannock Avenue. Organizer Jennifer Behm said the group is open to ideas.