Christmas event at school

Christmas event at school

NEWTON FALLS — “Home 44444, the Holidays” will be from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. todayat the high school. The event was formerly known as Hometown Christmas. A parade brings Santa to the front of the school at 10 a.m. Admission to the school is a canned food item for the Church Mouse, a program that helps people. There will be crafts for children, pictures with Santa, a cookie contest, Chinese auction, magic show, band and choir concerts, cloggers, face painting and Christmas stories.

Tree lighting program

NORTH LIMA — The annual Christmas tree lighting program in Beaver Township will be at 4 p.m. Sunday at the Veterans Memorial across from the township administration office. The program will feature a performance by the South Range High School Choir. Additionally, Santa Claus will visit immediately after the program.

Tax increase approved

NEW CASTLE, Pa. — The City of New Castle received court approval to increase its earned income tax. The city sought permission to raise the tax from 1 percent to 1.5 percent for residents and 1.4 percent for nonresidents as part of the state’s financial recovery plan for the city. The city was declared financially distressed by the Pennsylvania Department of Community and Economic Development at the beginning of 2007. The increase in the earned income tax rate is expected to net $3.1 million for the city in 2008, according to court papers. City officials have already included that figure in their proposed $14.7 million general fund budget. The court order approving the increased tax was signed Friday by visiting Judge Michael Wherry of Lawrence County Common Pleas Court.

Grant for sewer project

BROOKFIELD — Trumbull County has been awarded a $341,000 grant for the construction of sewers in a section of Brookfield Township. Julie Green of the Trumbull County Planning Commission said Friday that the $695,000 project calls for the construction of lines along Stewart-Sharon Road, between Bedford and Idlewild West roads, and along Woodland Avenue and Beddo Road. The Ohio Environmental Protection Agency has approved a $354,000 zero-percent loan to help finance the construction of 4,600 feet of line that will service 36 low-income property owners. Green said the property owners will be receiving letters from the planning commission so they can apply for financial assistance to pay for the tap-in fees and the cost of lateral lines from the street to the houses. The state’s water and sewer program helps local governments maintain, improve and expand their water and sanitary sewer lines. The program’s goal is to provide a safe living environment and reliable drinking water.

Boardman light displays

BOARDMAN — Boardman Township Park is transformed into a winter wonderland with 15 holiday light displays. They are free and open to the public every night from 5 to 10 p.m. starting Sunday and running through Jan. 6. This year features four new displays, which include gingerbread boy on a swing, gingerbread kids on a seesaw, Toyland and Toasty the Snowman.

Breakfast with Santa

HERMITAGE, Pa. — Breakfast with Santa will be at 9 a.m. Dec. 8 at the Kennedy Catholic High School cafeteria off of U.S. Route 62. The cost is $3 for children and $4 for adults. The menu includes pancakes, sausage, milk, juice, coffee and tea. Reservations are required by Monday by calling (724) 346-5531 or sending e-mail to kennedy.catholic@gmail.com.

Monetary award recipients

COLUMBIANA — The Italian Heritage Foundation Awards Committee met and reviewed applications submitted by 501-C3 organizations. Interest earned on the Italian Heritage Foundation Trust Account is available for distribution each year. After assessing each application and their needs, five recipients were selected to receive this years’ monetary awards. These organizations are this year’s recipients: Volunteer Services Agency Volunteer Services for Seniors, $400; Ursuline Sisters HIV/AIDS ministry, $400; St. Vincent dePaul Feed the Hungry, $1,000; Youngstown State University Italian Language Day, $400; and The Way Station in Columbiana, $400.

Winter clothes collection

COLUMBIANA — Columbiana Emergency Medical Services is collecting new or slightly used hats, gloves and scarves for its “Giving Tree” program. Collections can be made at the EMS office above the city police station from 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. through Dec. 19. The items will be distributed to help people stay warm through winter.