Vacant apartment fire

Vacant apartment fire

YOUNGSTOWN — A tire was ignited inside a vacant basement apartment at 2561 Tyrell Ave. just before 3 a.m. Tuesday, and the fire did about $3,000 damage, the fire department said. No injuries were reported. A representative of the three-story complex told firefighters that the apartment had been vacated about two months ago and was undergoing rehabilitation.

Levy campaign kickoff

YOUNGSTOWN — Youngstown City Schools will have a campaign kickoff in support of the 9.5-mill school levy at 9:45 a.m. today at the new East High School, 474 Bennington Ave. Millicent Counts, a Youngstown State University trustee and United Methodist Community Center executive director, is chairwoman of the Supporters for Children of the Youngstown City Schools Committee, and Ben McGee, former schools superintendent, is vice chairman.

Man assaulted, robbed

WARREN — A 42-year-old Warren man was robbed of $300 after a thief hit him in his face with his own cane. The man told police he was using a pay phone on Draper Street Southeast about 11 p.m. Monday when he got into an argument with a juvenile about the teen’s curfew. He went back to his home, got a walking cane and went for a walk. While on Draper, he was approached by a man who took his cane from him, struck him in the face and took the cash from his wallet. The victim was treated for a facial cut at Forum Health Trumbull Memorial Hospital.

New fountain for square

NEW CASTLE, Pa. — James Graziani, owner of G.B. Sand Co., has offered to buy a new fountain for Kennedy Square in honor of his father, the late Fred Graziani. The intention is for the fountain to be dedicated to Fred Graziani, who died last month at 89. Fred Graziani served as president of A. Graziani and Sons until his retirement. Earlier this summer, city council agreed to pay G.B. Sand Co. $57,900 to repair the fountain area that was destroyed in May 2006 when a truck lost its brakes and plowed into the square. The cost of the fountain, estimated at $20,000, is not included in the contract. The city received $77,000 from its insurance carrier to cover the damage.

Disorderly conduct

SHARON, Pa. — A 64-year-old Hermitage, Pa., man was cited for disorderly conduct after walking across the steel beam of a bridge that is under construction. Bridge workers saw Kenneth Shaffer cross the Shenango River on a beam placed this week for the State Street Bridge. The bridge has been closed and the area marked “no trespassing” since construction started in the spring. Shaffer was traveling from the west end of the bridge to the east side when he crossed at 12:09 p.m. Tuesday, police said. A member of the bridge work crew followed Shaffer until police arrived. Sharon Police Chief Mike Menster said the bridge crew has been vigilant about safety during construction and this is the first time police have been called to the construction site.

Chapel to be renamed

YOUNGSTOWN — Ursuline High School will dedicate and rename its chapel in memory of the late Rev. Daniel M. Venglarik during a prayer service at 10:15 a.m. Friday. The Ursuline Liturgical Choir will sing. The liturgy committee planned the event to celebrate the beginning of school and remember Father Venglarik, former principal at Ursuline from 1985 to 1995, who died May 3. He was pastor of St. Charles Borromeo Church in Boardman.

English plans meeting

SANDY LAKE, Pa. — U.S. Rep. Phil English, R-Pa., will have a town hall meeting tonight in this Mercer County town. He will discuss issues such as the economy, jobs, immigration or education, 7:30 to 9 p.m. at the Lake Lodge Masonic Temple Association, 3270 S. Main St.

Leetonia brush pickup

LEETONIA — The village will be completing brush pickup this week. The final pickup for the north side of town will be today. The south side of town will be Thursday. There will be no further brush pickup until the fall.