Probing causes of fires

Probing causes of fires

YOUNGSTOWN — Firefighters are investigating the cause of blazes at a vacant house and a vacant detached garage on the city’s West Side. Firefighters say the causes of the fires are under investigation. When firefighters arrived at 1659 Oakwood Ave. at 12:20 a.m. Wednesday, the vacant house was fully engulfed. Firefighters let the fire burn the structure to the ground. A fire at a detached garage at 129 N. Evanston St., just a short distance from the first fire, was reported at 5:36 a.m. It also was fully engulfed and firefighters let it burn. Firefighters wouldn’t say if the two fires are related. There were no injuries reported in fighting the two fires.

Honors for South Range

NORTH LIMA — South Range Elementary School has received high recognition from the state. District officials reported the elementary school received the gold award for the Governor’s Buckeye Best Health School Award and was ranked the No. 1 school of all K-3 and K-4 buildings in the Mahoning, Trumbull and Columbiana county area. As a result the school is to receive a new playground, made specifically for smaller children. The award is based on a number of factors including physical education classes offered, school lunches and the number of extra educational health programs the children attend such as anti-smoking programs. Last year, the elementary school earned a silver award. In other news, administrators reported school lunch prices will remain $2 for the high school and $1.75 for elementary and middle schools.

Helping with houses

CAMPBELL — A volunteer event will be from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday to assist with the restoration of the Campbell Company Houses. The general public is invited to aid area resident Tim Sokoloff with his objective to revitalize the 125 row-house development. The houses were built in 1919 and 1920 to house workers of Youngstown Sheet and Tube. Many have since fallen prey to abandonment and neglect. Organizers are also requesting access to cordless drills, gas-powered mowers and edgers, and heavy-duty trash bags. If any volunteers have access to these items, they are encouraged to bring them to the event. Volunteers will meet at 40 Chambers St.

Affected by sewer project

McKINLEY HEIGHTS — The Weathersfield Township Board of Trustees will have public meeting of the residents affected by the McKinley Heights Sewer Project at 7 p.m. Tuesday at the McKinley Heights fire station. The purpose of the meeting is to identify any items that may still need addressed before the Sept. 7 final walk-through with contractors.

Financial group donates

YOUNGSTOWN — Young Financial Group has donated $4,595 to the Mahoning County Children Services Board for landscaping and decoration of the board’s three group homes. The money was collected July 14 in a Charity Walk in Mill Creek Park, which Young conducted for this purpose. The group homes are on the city’s North and South sides. Young is a Canfield-based financial planning and consulting group. Group homes house children for whom foster care isn’t available or appropriate, said Denise Stewart, CSB executive director.

Man reports scam

GROVE CITY, Pa. — A 62-year-old man was scammed out of $69,041 after being told he won a sweepstakes drawing. Pennsylvania State Police said the victim received a certified letter July 23 stating he was eligible for $18,196,400 in unawarded cash and prizes. A self-addressed envelope enclosed in the letter advised him to mail a $100 check to “NSCC” in Las Vegas. Over the next few weeks, a man with a foreign accent contacted the victim by telephone and initially told him he won $500,000 and later said it was $1 million. Police said during that time frame the victim sent money orders totaling $69,041 to Yafo, Israel. After paying and not receiving the prize money, the man realized it was a scam and called police.

Equality Day planned

WARREN — There will be an Equality Day celebration in the Women’s Park downtown at 2 p.m. Sunday, marking women’s right to vote. State Sen. Capri Cafaro of Liberty, D-32nd; Madonna Chism-Pinkard, WFMJ Channel 21 community relations director; and Mayor Mike O’Brien; will be among the speakers. In case of rain, the ceremony will move to the nearby Kinsman house.