Black bear sightings on the rise in Liberty

Black bear sightingson the rise in Liberty
LIBERTY -- A black bear has been spotted three times in the past four days near Ravine, St. Andrews and Norwick drives. Police believe the bear may be the same one that was spotted in the area in the fall. Each time the bear is seen, wildlife officers are called but they have yet to spot him. If residents see the bear, they should call police, officials said.
Bond issue for schoolmoves closer to ballot
GIRARD -- Voters may be asked in August to approve a bond issue so the district can build a new high school. The board approved first reading on the bond issue during Monday's special meeting. In order for the issue to be placed on the Aug. 2 special ballot, the board must vote on it again, have the language approved by the county auditor, and turn in the paperwork to the election board by May 19, said schools treasurer Mark Bello. Bello said he believes the estimated millage for the bond issue will be 4.8 mills. He said the county auditor has yet to verify those numbers, but that amount would cover the district's share to build the new facility. State funds will pay the other portion of the $22.7 million project, Bello said. The district is hoping to build the school where the Mahoning Country Club is now located, Bello said.
Route 5 repair workplanned for this summer
AKRON -- The Ohio Department of Transportation is planning to repair slope failures and guardrails along three sections of state Route 5 in Trumbull and Portage counties. The project is scheduled to begin this summer at an estimated cost of $930,419. The sections of road are: west of Market Street in the city of Warren; from just east of Sandy Lake Road to east of the Route 5 bridge crossing over the CSX railroad tracks in Ravenna Township; and east of Knapp Road in Charlestown Township, Portage County. Slopes will be stabilized and drainage improvements will further enhance stability in these areas, ODOT says. The public can ask questions or make comments about the projects until April 27.
Weathersfield meeting
MINERAL RIDGE -- The Weathersfield Township trustees have called a special meeting for an executive session Thursday at 10:30 a.m. at the township administration building. Discussion at the executive session will be on personnel and potential litigation.
Roosevelt school fair
McDONALD -- The Roosevelt Elementary School Fair will be held Friday from 6 to 8 p.m. in the Roosevelt gym, 410 W. Seventh St. The event is open to the public and admission is free. There are costs to play some of the games.
Drainage work slated
LEETONIA -- The village will be replacing the culvert pipe on West Main Street. This is the short section of West Main that connects to Lisbon-Canfield Road and State Route 344. Work is scheduled to begin Wednesday and will take about one week to complete. Residents and businesses will be able to enter West Main Street off Lisbon-Canfield Road while repairs are being made.
County recorder's hours
YOUNGSTOWN -- Mahoning County Recorder Ronald V. Gerberry reminds the public that the reduction in the office's hours begins Monday. The office will be open for document recording weekdays from 8 a.m. to noon. The office will close for lunch at noon, and only the records room in the county courthouse basement will be open from 1 to 4 p.m. for title and abstracting work and research. No documents will be put on record after noon each day. The reduced hours were caused by the county's budget shortfall.