'Coats for Kids' event

'Coats for Kids' event
BOARDMAN -- Coyoacan Mexican Grille, 1393 Boardman-Canfield Road, is holding a "coats for kids" event through Dec. 23. Donations of new and gently used children's coats may be dropped off at the restaurant. Coats will be given weekly to the Salvation Army.
Kids Christmas programs
EAST PALESTINE -- Through Dec. 23, the East Palestine Memorial Public Library invites children to participate in a Christmas reading program, "Countdown to Christmas." Participants who read 24 books or have books read to them can earn a prize. Complete details about the program are available at the library. All ages are invited to a Christmas storytime, set for 6:30 p.m. Monday.. A Christmas craft program for those ages 6 to 12 will be at 4:15 p.m. Dec. 15. Registration is necessary. For more information, call (330) 426-3778.
City homicide statistics
YOUNGSTOWN -- Police Chief Robert E. Bush Jr., reflecting on the city's homicide rate the past eight years, said it's down 43 percent and multiple homicides are down 38 percent. Bush said the city had 375 homicides between 1990 and 1997, with 407 victims. Of those cases, 174 have been solved, he said. From 1998 through 2005, the city has recorded 217 homicides with 253 victims. Of those cases, 117 have been solved, he said. The chief said he compiled the statistics for Mayor George M. McKelvey, who served two four-year terms and leaves office at the end of this month.
Shooting practice
WARREN -- Police are investigating the apparent use of government-owned land behind the Trumbull County Engineer's Office at 650 N. River Road N.W. for shooting practice. An engineer's office employee told police at 8:30 a.m. Monday that someone had been firing a gun between noon and 7 p.m. Nov. 26. Police recovered two 12-gauge Remington shotgun shells from the premises, and listed the incident as discharging a firearm within city limits.
Applications for 2 spots
NORTH JACKSON -- Jackson Township is accepting applications for two positions on the township Zoning Commission. Interested township residents should submit a letter and current r & eacute;sum & eacute; or application to Jackson Township trustees, P.O. Box 400, North Jackson 44451. Details on the position's duties are available from township officials.
Talent show at Choffin
YOUNGSTOWN -- Choffin Career and Technical Center will hold a second annual Toys for Tots Talent Show at 11:30 a.m. Friday. The Mahoning and Columbiana Training Association Youth Force Club and Choffin students will perform, and Mayor-elect Jay Williams will be the guest of honor. All Choffin students are required to donate $1 or a toy to attend. Toys for Tots is a program of the United States Marine Corps. Last year, about 14,000 area children received toys through the program.
Changes to serve city
NEW CASTLE, Pa. -- City council is considering drafting a measure that would govern how appointments are made to the city's various boards and authorities. Council members, at a caucus Tuesday, said they are looking at establishing an application procedure that would call for individuals interested in serving on particular boards or authorities to submit a r & eacute;sum & eacute; and letter of intent to the city. Also, as part of the process, candidates would make an appearance at a city council meeting. Council members said the mayor would continue to make his recommendations to council for those appointments, but the proposed process would allow council to meet with and become more familiar with the applicants.