City could lose pee-wee games

Some teams say they will forfeit before returning to Youngstown.
By Harold Gwin
VINDICATOR STAFF WRITER
HOWLAND -- The Northeastern Ohio Youth Football League is meeting at 7:30 p.m. today to decide if it will continue to send its pee-wee football teams to play at venues in the city of Youngstown.
Some parents say they won't send their kids back to Youngstown following a fatal shooting at a pee-wee game at the former South High School stadium on Saturday. Larry Jones, 31, of Ravenwood Avenue, was gunned down in front of more than 600 people and players at the game. His murderer remains at large.
Rick Thomas, league secretary, said some of the northeastern Ohio teams have indicated they will forfeit their games before returning to play in Youngstown.
Thomas is president of the Austintown Little Falcons who are scheduled to play at the South High venue Sept. 2.
Police said Saturday's shooting was not directly related to the game and quoted family members of the victim as saying it was the result of an on-going domestic dispute between Jones and his assailant.
Youngstown Mayor Jay Williams said it would be unfortunate if other leagues decide not to allow their teams to come to Youngstown where pee-wee football has been played for decades without this type of occurrence.