Donation for greenway

Donation for greenway

WARREN — Trumbull County commissioners accepted a contribution of $3,800 from the Friends of the Western Reserve Greenway on Thursday to be used for construction of Phase 3 of the greenway, to run south from Champion Avenue East to North River Road.

The county planning commission has received preliminary approval for a federal grant of $552,000, a state grant of $100,000 and a contribution from the county commissioners of $34,500 to build Phase 3. Construction is expected in 2008.

The organization uses proceeds from fundraisers to assist with bike trail development. One of them is the World of Wildlife Bicycle Tour to be held on the greenway Aug. 12. Registration for the third annual tour will run from 7:30 to 10 a.m. at Kent State University Trumbull Campus. The tour will offer rides of 20, 40 and 62 miles. For more information on the ride, visit the Web site ndcis.com/wow.

Woman sues city, police

YOUNGSTOWN — A Struthers woman filed a lawsuit against the city, the police chief and eight officers, claiming excessive force was used on her during a traffic stop.

Shauna Pupin said an officer beat her with his baton, sprayed a large quantity of pepper spray in her eyes and wouldn’t offer her medical assistance on or about June 15, 2006. A Mahoning County grand jury dismissed an assault charge filed by Youngstown police against Pupin last month.

Pupin’s lawsuit said she suffers from severe emotional distress because of the incident. Her attorney filed the lawsuit Thursday in Mahoning County Common Pleas Court. City Law Director Iris Torres Guglucello couldn’t be reached Thursday to comment on the lawsuit.

Arson charges

SHARON, Pa. — Arthur E. Burns, 50, of Harrison Street faces arson and other charges in a house fire about a block from his home.

Sharon Police Chief Mike Menster said firefighters and police were called to 728 N. Sharpsville Ave. at 9:45 p.m. Sunday and found the house in flames. Menster said five people were inside when they noticed the fire. All got out safely. He said those inside told them Burns had been in the house and left abruptly before they noticed the fire.

Police think Burns went into a bedroom and set some bedding on fire. Police would not say if an argument precipitated the fire. Menster said they arrested Burns at 1:30 p.m. Thursday at a home on the 900 block of Robertson Road in Hermitage. He is also charged with causing or risking a catastrophe and recklessly endangering another person.

Big blood donation

WARREN — John Mosko of Warren will make a milestone blood donation of 26 gallons, or 208 pints, Saturday. Mosko will complete his milestone donation with the Red Cross at the Cortland Masonic Lodge, 3263 Everett Hull Road, at 10 a.m. Mosko has donated with the Red Cross for 40 years, starting when his sister-in-law needed a heart valve operation.

His generosity could not come at a better time with the local Red Cross blood supply continuing to diminish with the onset of summer, Red Cross officials said. All eligible blood donors are urged to join him. All those who come to donate now through June 23 will automatically be entered to win a $500 gas card.

Blood donors must be at least 17, weigh at least 110 pounds, be in general good health and provide a valid photo ID. For additional information on donating blood or to find a donor site near you, call (800) GIVE-LIFE, (800) 448-3543 or visit www.RedCrossDonor.org.

Block watch training

WARREN — The Warren Police Department, in cooperation with the Community Safe Initiative, will be providing in-service training for the city’s block watch associations at 6 p.m. Thursday. The session will be held at Warren City Council chambers, 141 South St. S.E.

Howland summer camps

HOWLAND — The Howland Summer Youth & Recreation Program has scheduled three camps from 9 a.m. to noon, June 25 through June 29. They are wrestling, basketball and scrapbooking for those age 6 to 13. The fee is $20 for residents; $35 for nonresidents. For more information, call (330) 856-2340.