Ryan requests privacy as he, wife end marriage

Ryan requests privacy as he, wife end marriage
NILES -- U.S. Rep. Tim Ryan of Niles, D-17th, announced that he and wife, Julie, are ending their marriage. "With great sadness, I regret to announce that my wife, Julie, and I have decided to pursue the dissolution of our marriage. During this painful time, I respectfully request that our privacy is honored."
Ryan, 32, and the former Julie Stitzel, who served as an official with the congressman's campaign, were married for about two years. They met when she worked for a state legislator and he was a state senator, Ryan said.
Korchnak hospitalized
YOUNGSTOWN -- Republican mayoral candidate Robert Korchnak, 41, Cooper Street, was listed in stable condition Friday after being admitted to St. Elizabeth Health Center. Details as to why Korchnak was admitted to the hospital were not available at press time.
Voting machines for blind
WARREN -- Trumbull County's blind will be able to vote using the electronic voting machines being used for the first time Tuesday in the general election. An elections board spokesman said Friday that each precinct will have one machine especially equipped for the blind. The number "5" has a bump on it that is familiar to the blind as a keyboard reference. The machine also has earphones, and the ballot will be read to them.
Mercer County projects
HARRISBURG, Pa. -- Three Mercer County projects are among $65 million in environmental grants awarded to 140 projects in 50 Pennsylvania counties from a bond issue passed in May.
Gov. Ed Rendell's office announced these awards:
*$1.14 million to Winner Development for cleanup of the Westinghouse plant, a former electric transformer manufacturing site in Sharon.
*$39,051 for restoration of the Indian Run Stream in Hermitage, including elimination of sediment pollution from stream bank erosion and restoration of the aquatic habitat.
*$90,000 for improvements to the Hogback Run channel in West Middlesex to address erosion, flooding and safety concerns due to last year's numerous storms.
The money comes from a $625 million bond issue passed by voters in May 2005 to fund cleanup of rivers and streams and other environmental work.
Deputy law director leaves
YOUNGSTOWN -- Gregory Margione, the city's deputy law director, is resigning effective Thursday to become Youngstown State University's assistant general counsel. Margione of Youngstown, 32, worked in the city's law department for nearly six years. Margione earned his law degree from Cleveland-Marshall College of Law and received a bachelor's degree from the University of Cincinnati.
Paper lawn bags required
GIRARD -- The city of Girard will again require the use of paper lawn bags for the annual leaf collection.
The city has purchased a bulk quantity of bags that will be available to city residents while supply lasts. Bags can be picked up from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday and from 8 a.m. to noon Saturday through Nov. 18 at the Girard Street Department Garage, 943 S. State St.
The first five bags are provided at no cost upon proof of residency (a photo I.D. and a utility bill). If additional bags are needed, they can be purchased at a cost of five bags for $1.
Collection of bags will be with your garbage collection. The city will not pick them up. Call (330) 545-1322 for additional information.
'Food Passport' dinner
ALLIANCE -- The public is invited to the annual dinner of the Mount Union College Association of International Students 6:30 p.m. Nov. 12 in the Dining Commons of the Hoover-Price Campus Center.
Tickets are $8.50 for adults and $6 for students. Children under 6 are free. Tickets are on sale at the information desk in the campus center.
This year's theme is "Food Passport." The dinner is buffet-style and will feature a variety of foods from all over the world. AIS will also provide entertainment, images and fun facts about the countries represented. The attire is semiformal.
For more information, call the Office of Student Affairs at (330) 823-7288.
Students hold levy rallies
STRUTHERS -- Students from Struthers High School and Struthers Middle School will conduct Student Levy Rallies today from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. in four locations: 666 Youngstown-Poland Road; the Fifth Street Plaza; Struthers Middle School, 800 Fifth St.; and 264 Center St. All of the participating students have volunteered and received parental permission to take part in the event, said Sandra J. DiBacco, schools superintendent.