TREE-LIGHTING TODAY AT CENTER SQUARE

Tree-lighting todayat Center Square
YOUNGSTOWN -- The city's tree-lighting ceremony will be at 4 p.m. today on the city's Center Square. The public is invited to attend. Santa will arrive on a firetruck, and the Plazateer Band will perform holiday music. The tree was donated by the Peter Nagy family of Kirk Road in memory of Loretta Nagy, Peter's late wife who planted the tree on their property 30 years ago.
Youth in stable condition
YOUNGSTOWN -- Michael Pruitt, 14, of Watson Street, Lowellville, was listed in stable condition Friday evening at St. Elizabeth Health Center. Pruitt was taken to the hospital by helicopter ambulance Thursday after falling about 30 feet into a ravine. Fire Chief William Meehan said his department and fire departments from Coitsville and Western Reserve Joint Fire District responded when a group of teens was walking on the wall of a dam off of Quarry Road Thursday afternoon and Pruitt fell off, landing on concrete below. He said it took about 45 minutes to rescue the boy from the ravine.
Hermitage tour
HERMITAGE, Pa. -- The Hermitage Historical Society's annual Christmas Tree Tour and Tea is today and Sunday at Stewart House, 5465 E. State St. Various groups have contributed to the decorating of the different rooms. The house will be open from 1 to 4 p.m. both days. For more details, call (724) 346-0419.
Overpass now open
YOUNGSTOWN -- Gibson Street over Interstate 680 is now open. Work on the road was part of the $6.9 million project to rehabilitate five bridges over I-680. This project is scheduled for completion by late fall 2006.
Counterfeit money passed
AUSTINTOWN -- More counterfeit money was passed at township businesses on Mahoning Avenue, police reports say. The manager of Taco Bell at 4523 Mahoning said someone paid for food with a phony $10 bill Thursday. The owner of the Beverage Depot, 6300 Mahoning, told police an employee accepted a counterfeit $20 Wednesday.
Board members sought
WARREN -- Trumbull County commissioners are accepting applications for membership on the Senior Advisory Board until Dec. 21. The panel will make recommendations on distribution of funds that will be collected from the passage of the senior citizens levy in November. The board will also monitor delivery of services and report to the county commissioners. Board members are being sought who reflect the demographic and geographic makeup of the county. People with experience in senior service organizations or who are familiar with government bidding, financial legal or social work are encouraged to apply. Applications can be requested from the county Human Resources Department on the fifth floor of the county Administration Building on High Street.
Man sentenced
MERCER, Pa. -- Judge Christopher St. John of Mercer County Common Pleas Court recently sentenced John Wilcox, 32, of East Silver Street, Sharon, to 22 months to five years in prison for two counts of burglary and one of escape. All are felonies. According to court records, on May 14 Wilcox conspired with two others to break into the Sharon Little League North Field concession stand and remove a cash register. Wilcox also burglarized the Puppy Tub Parlor, 455 E. Silver St., Sharon, and took $89. Then on June 1, Wilcox failed to return to the Mercer County Jail after a temporary leave he had been granted to visit his sick grandmother.
Officials to hire solicitor
NEW CASTLE, Pa. -- Lawrence County commissioners expect to hire attorney Tom Leslie as the new county solicitor next week. Commissioners have been searching for a replacement for Solicitor John Hodge, who resigned after winning a seat as a common pleas court judge in the November election. Commissioner Dan Vogler said they received letters of interest in the job from 11 attorneys and interviewed five. He said they have not yet set Leslie's salary. Commissioners intend to formally vote on the matter Tuesday. Hodge was earning $46,000 per year as county solicitor.
Gingerbread House Day
HERMITAGE, Pa. -- The fifth annual Gingerbread House Day is planned for 2 p.m. Sunday at Magnetto's Shop N Save, 2199 East State St. More than 100 children are expected to build gingerbread houses. It will be a free event, but children constructing gingerbread homes must pay a $5 "mortgage" to the Prince of Peace, a local charity that helps people in need. Culinary chefs from the Winner Institute will assist the children. To register, call Shop N Save at (724) 347-2232, Ext. 0.