Lowe's workers to help board up houses

WARREN -- About 20 employees of Lowe's will be volunteering their time today to board up two vacant houses in the 300 block of Porter Street to keep out vagrants, thieves and vandals.
In the project, which is part of the "Lowe's Heroes Program," the home improvement store will also donate about $1,200 worth of store materials.
Local residents were being asked to join the effort on behalf of the Take Back the Neighborhood community improvement group, said Christopher Taneyhill, the city's chief building official, who will supervise the work.
The 1930s vintage houses have been vacant for more than a year, he said.
Volunteers intend to paint the plywood to match the siding colors of the houses, he added.