Mitten glove collection

Mitten glove collection

YOUNGSTOWN — In keeping with the spirit of Christmas, Choffin Career and Technical Center is inviting the public to join in a project to help needy children. Choffin’s Information Technology Tech Prep program, in conjunction with Mahoning and Columbiana Training Association’s Youthforce, is collecting new children’s mittens or gloves to be donated to the Mahoning County Children Services Board, which will distribute them to the children in the area. Over the past 26 years, Choffin has donated more than 4,245 items. Monetary donations can also be made toward the purchase of mittens and gloves. To do so, contact Beth Hickson at (330) 744-8748. Donations will be accepted until Monday.

Man charged in robbery

BOARDMAN — A Youngstown man faces a robbery charge, accused of fighting with security at a Boardman-Poland Road store. Police arrested Samuel Cappitte, 26, of Camden Avenue, on Wednesday afternoon. He is in the Mahoning County jail. A security officer at TJ Maxx & More told police that he saw a man, later identified as Cappitte, conceal merchandise and leave the store without paying for it. When the security guard confronted the suspect outside, the man took off his jacket and threw it at the officer and then tried to hit him, causing the officer to fall, the security officer told police. Cappitte then ran into Big Lots on South Avenue. Police and the security officer found Cappitte inside the store and arrested him.

Shelter extends hours

LORDSTOWN — The Animal Welfare League Shelter is extending its hours during the holiday season to provide more opportunities to adopt a pet at the shelter, 545 Brunstetter Road. The shelter will be open from 1 to 6 p.m. next Wednesday and Dec. 19; 12:30 to 6 p.m. Thursday and Dec. 20; 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Dec. 15; and 1 to 4 p.m. Dec. 16. The shelter has cats, kittens, dogs and puppies.

Rep. Ryan to be speaker

BOARDMAN — U.S. Rep. Timothy Ryan of Niles, D-17th, is the keynote speaker for the annual meeting of the Mahoning County Family and Children First Council. The event is from 8:30 to 10:30 a.m. Dec. 17 at the Holiday Inn here. Mahoning County Family and Children First Council was established in 1995 to promote, maintain and facilitate community collaboration of multisystem services to children and families in Mahoning County. For more information, contact Rachilla Basista at (330) 965-7828.

Opposition to I-80 tolls

HARRISBURG — State Sen. Bob Robbins of Greenville, R-50th, was one of 11 state senators who sent a letter this week to the U.S. Department of Transportation to express their continuing opposition to the proposal to toll Interstate 80. In their letter, the senators expressed their concerns about the negative impact the proposal will have on residents and businesses living along the corridor. They noted there was no public input before the state’s decision to apply to federal officials for tolling status. Federal officials are considering a request to toll the entire 311-mile span under a federal program that allows current roads to become toll roads to pay for maintenance and upgrades.

Toys for needy children

MERCER, Pa. — The Mercer County Children’s Aid Society, in conjunction with the Pennsylvania State Police, is collecting new toys at the state police barracks in Mercer. Toys are being accepted through Monday and will be given to children who may otherwise not receive toys this Christmas. New, unwrapped toys are to be donated to give parents the opportunity to pick toys their children most appreciate receiving. Toys can be dropped off at the barracks located on Pa. Route 62.