Immigration crackdown

Immigration crackdown
MERCER, Pa. -- Pennsylvania State Police continue their crackdown on illegal immigrants passing through Mercer County on Interstate 80.
Troopers reported nabbing five illegal aliens from Ecuador in the westbound lanes of I-80 in Wolf Creek Township on Sunday.
Police said the van in which they were riding was stopped for several traffic violations. The five were held for federal immigration officials.
Also, three illegal immigrants from Senegal, Africa, were apprehended in a vehicle involved in a traffic accident in the westbound lanes of I-80 in Findley Township on Sept. 8. All three were handed over to federal immigration officials.
Housing grants
Salem and East Liverpool in Columbiana County and Niles in Trumbull County will each receive $555,000 to improve housing.
The Ohio Department of Development announced the funding Wednesday as part of $32.3 million in housing grants to 62 communities.
The Community Housing Improvement Program grants can be used to help maintain, improve and expand affordable housing for low- and moderate-income families, according to Bruce Johnson, director of the department.
Activities can include rental improvements, emergency home repairs and construction projects.
The funds will also be used to build homes through Habitat Through Humanity in 30 communities.
Disaster declared
NEW CASTLE, Pa. -- New Castle officials have signed a declaration of disaster emergency for the Sept. 8 flooding.
The declaration was signed Monday by members of city council and Mayor Wayne Alexander. Alexander said the declaration was signed to assist residents with cleanup efforts.
Damage came mostly in the form of sewage backups in residents' basements, he said.
Sharyn Critchlow, director of Lawrence County Emergency Management, said the declaration will allow the city to bypass bidding procedures when hiring workers to do cleanup.
It's unclear if there will be any financial help for residents or the city because of the rains.
Deadline to register
NEW CASTLE, Pa. -- The last day to register to vote for the upcoming general election is Monday. This includes new registrations, change of addresses, party and name.
The Lawrence County elections office is open from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Friday.
Mail registration forms are available at all local post offices, township and borough buildings. The mail registration form must be in the office by 4 p.m. Monday. Those postmarked Saturday will be accepted. The last day to get an absentee ballot is Oct. 26, and all voted ballots must be received by 5 p.m. Oct. 29.
Driver dies in crash
HARTFORD -- The Ohio State Highway Patrol is investigating a one-car crash that killed a 43-year-old Orangeville man.
According to the patrol, Stephen J. Unangst, no street address available, was driving west on Hayes-Orangeville Road around 3:15 a.m. today when he lost control of his vehicle and traveled off the right side of the road, striking a culvert. Unangst's vehicle overturned, and he was ejected.
Unangst was not wearing a seat belt, OSHP reports state.
Presidential debate party
BOARDMAN -- The public is invited when the Mahoning County Democratic Party holds a presidential debate party at 8 p.m. Thursday at Mr. Anthony's Banquet Center on South Avenue.
The debate between President Bush and U.S. Sen. John Kerry, his Democratic challenger, begins at 9 p.m., and will be shown on large-screen televisions.
Copper-theft suspects
YOUNGSTOWN -- Two men suspected of trying to steal copper wire from the site of a building being torn down at Boardman and Hazel streets were arrested Tuesday afternoon.
Robert J. Johnson, 54, of McBride Street, and William L. Washington, 49, of North Truesdale Avenue, were arrested on charges of breaking and entering and possession of criminal tools. Police said Johnson had a hacksaw and pry bar and Washington had a screwdriver. A tool box was also found at the site.
Witnesses told police they saw the two men stealing copper wire, and a pile of it was found near the suspects, police said.