'Catholic Schools Day'

'Catholic Schools Day'
YOUNGSTOWN -- Today is "Catholic Schools Day" at Stambaugh Stadium on the Youngstown State University campus. The Mahoning South Catholic Schools Leadership Team and the university arranged for the schools to sell discounted tickets to pupils and their families to help cheer the YSU Penguins on to victory in their 6 p.m. game against Illinois State University. Catholic Schools Day is part of the leadership team's effort to offer fun, family-oriented activities to pupils.
Dads invited to school
BOARDMAN -- St. Luke School will have a "Donuts for Dad" day from 7:30 to 8:30 a.m. Monday in the parish hall. Principal Catherine Wigley said she likes to get parents involved with the school and their children and this special day is set aside for dads because work schedules sometimes make it difficult for them to attend school programs and functions. Dads are invited to stop on their way to work for coffee, juice and donuts.
Temporary road closing
CANFIELD -- Raccoon Road between Mellinger Road and U.S. Route 62 in Canfield Township will be closed beginning Tuesday for a culvert replacement. Traffic will be detoured along Mellinger Road and Route 62. Work will be completed Oct. 14.
Levies to be discussed
GIRARD -- The Girard Multi-Generational Center is hosting a public forum at 6 p.m. Tuesday in the center's seminar/dining hall at 443 Trumbull Ave.
Representatives from Citizens for Trumbull Seniors will be on hand to speak about the 0.75-mill Trumbull senior services levy.
Police Chief Frank Bigowsky will speak on the 0.25- percent Girard income tax levy for the police department. Both issues will appear on the November ballot.
Stop leads to charges
LIBERTY -- Township police have charged a 26-year-old McDonald man with felony drug abuse, misdemeanor carrying a concealed weapon, no seat belt and not using a turn signal. According to police reports, Joseph Gifford Jr. of Dennison Street, McDonald, turned onto Belmont Avenue without using a turn signal Thursday. Reports say police pulled him over and found three small bags of suspected crack cocaine and a switchblade knife. He is free on a personal recognizance bond until his arraignment Tuesday in Girard Municipal Court.
Catch-basin grates taken
YOUNGSTOWN -- Over the past several weeks, 40 cast-iron grates for catch basins have been removed from various locations throughout the city, according to the waste-water department. The thefts were reported Thursday to police. The grates are worth about $5,000, reports show.
Theft witnesses assaulted
YOUNGSTOWN -- Two men driving north on Hazelwood Avenue who witnessed teenagers stealing lawn ornaments from yards Thursday were assaulted, police said.
The victims said they honked when they saw what was happening and then their truck got stuck in traffic.
One of the suspects, a 16-year-old from North BonAir Avenue, smashed out the passenger window and punched the passenger, police said. The boy, who had abrasions on his right arm and swollen knuckles when found, was issued a juvenile court citation charging him with assault and criminal damaging.
Football equipment stolen
YOUNGSTOWN -- Football equipment worth about $2,500 was stolen from a locker room at Cardinal Mooney High School, police said.
A coach told police that three boys who are not students were seen in a hallway. Missing are four game helmets, two pairs of practice pants, four rib vests, four pairs of gloves, four visors, four pairs of thigh pads, four game spikes and four girdles. The theft was reported Thursday.
Acre of grass burned
AUSTINTOWN -- A grass fire burned about one acre in the township park on Kirk Road. The fire was under control in about an hour, according to the township fire department.
A department report said firefighters were called to an uncut field at the park at about 1 p.m. Friday.
There were no injuries. The fire department had not determined the cause Friday.
Star-gazing party
LISBON -- Mahoning Valley Astronomical Society and the staff of the Ward Beecher Planetarium at Youngstown State University will host a star-gazing party beginning at 8 p.m. today at Scenic Vista Park west of Lisbon.
Society members will have telescopes set up for the public to view planets, constellations and other astronomical formations. Weather is predicted to be crisp and clear, perfect for stargazing, Society members said. Scenic Vista Park is on Wayne Bridge Road off U.S. 30 west.