Tuesday, February 20, 2007
Blood supplies running low
Northern Ohio Blood Services Region of the American Red Cross continues to struggle to meet the needs of 57 local hospitals in the aftermath of recent winter storms.
As of Monday, some 20 local blood drives had been canceled because of the inclement weather, and they represent about 1,600 potential blood donors.
The local Red Cross blood supply continues to dwindle, with six of the eight blood types below minimum inventory standards.
Get Fit wellness program
SALEM -- The Salem Community Center will have a Get Fit wellness program. The 12-week program consists of three test sessions on blood pressure, flexibility, upper body strength, endurance, cardio fitness, weight and body fat. There will be divisions for both men and women. The program is open to individuals ages 16 and up.
The tests will all be at 11 a.m. Feb. 25, April 1 and May 20. Prizes will be awarded by divisions to the participants with the most overall improvement.
The cost of the program is 25. You may register at the front desk at the center. For additional information, call (330) 332-5885.
Fire company fundraiser
GREENVILLE, Pa. -- All Greenville borough residents will be receiving a letter from the Greenville Firefighters IAFF Local 1976 and the Greenville Volunteer Fire Company in the next few days. The letter will be the start of a fund-raising campaign to help offset the cost of some needed equipment.
Anyone with questions may call firefighters at (724) 588-3111 for more details.
Watercraft safety classes
COLUMBIANA -- The Youngstown Power Squadron is offering watercraft operation and safety classes at 6:30 p.m. on three consecutive Wednesdays, beginning this week, at the BMC Building, 41738 Esterly Drive.
The classes were originally to begin Feb. 14 but were rescheduled because of inclement weather. There is no charge for instruction, but the manual for the class is 20. Class size is limited, and reservations are required. Call (330) 337-7029 or (330) 726-8534.
Youngstown man jailed
STRUTHERS -- Police arrested Charles P. Emerson, 20, of the 3000 block of Valerie Drive, Youngstown, after stopping him about 4:38 p.m. Sunday on Hawthorne Street because his vehicle had no front license plate. A check revealed Emerson had no valid Ohio driver's license.
Police said a search of Emerson yielded a bag of suspected marijuana in his pocket. A search of the vehicle found a scale commonly used to weigh narcotics.
He is charged with possession of drugs, drug paraphernalia and driving under suspension. Emerson was taken to Struthers jail and failed to post 4,000 bond. He's scheduled to appear at 9:30 a.m. Friday in municipal court; his car was impounded.
Nursing program
YOUNGSTOWN -- Mercy College of Northwest Ohio will have an informational session from 5:30 to 6:30 p.m. Wednesday for anyone interested in learning about the associate of science in nursing degree offered through Mercy College at St. Elizabeth Health Center, Belmont Avenue. The session will be in the hospital's Finnegan Auditorium.
The college degree from Mercy enables graduates to take state licensing exams to work as registered nurses while allowing them the opportunity to further their education with bachelor's degrees and postgraduate education, if desired.
Applications for the August 2007 class are now being accepted. For more information, call (330) 480-2379.
Felonious assault charges
WARREN -- Dwayne A. Stoudamire, 26, of 1467 Union St. S.W., was charged early Monday with felonious assault, kidnapping and carrying a concealed weapon after an altercation with a woman in the 1100 block of Palmyra Road. The woman told police Stoudamire pointed a gun at her and forced her into a vehicle. Police found a gun on Stoudamire when they arrested him at around 3:30 a.m. He is in Trumbull County Jail.
Weather leads to car fires
WARREN -- City firefighters responded to seven car fires last week, the result of unusually snowy weather. Firefighters report having assisted drivers in three car fires Tuesday and an additional four Wednesday.
The fires were caused when the vehicles got stuck in deep snow and the driver tried to get out of the problem by pressing too hard on the accelerator, one firefighter said.
Doing this can cause sparks that can ignite a fire in the vehicle, the firefighter said.