Proposal’s first reading at trustees meeting

June 30, 2007 at 12:00a.m.

BOARDMAN — The first of two readings of the proposed 4.1-mill general operating levy occurred at the Boardman trustees meeting Thursday night, said Chairwoman Elaine Mancini. She also said Thomas Carney, a Boardman resident and former trustee, state representative and county commissioner, will head the levy committee. The second and final reading will be at the July 12 trustees’ meeting at the government center on Market Street.

Woman evades fraud from Secret Shoppers

YOUNGSTOWN — A woman who applied for a part-time job with Secret Shoppers received a check for $2,900 with instructions to cash it at any Wal-Mart, keep $200 and buy a MoneyGram with the rest and tell the store to wire it to a relative of hers (who doesn’t exist) in Ontario, Canada. The “paid assignment” included reporting back to Secret Shoppers the quality of service she received at Wal-Mart. Instead, the woman filed a police report Friday, saying she called the bank listed on the $2,900 check and was told that Secret Shoppers is under investigation by the FBI and that she should contact local law enforcement. Online reports show counterfeit checks are being sent to people who agree to be a secret shopper, and those people face consequences when the check bounces.

Bryn Mawr yard sale
set for July 7

YOUNGSTOWN — The Bryn Mawr Block Watch will have its second annual yard sale and outing July 7 from 10 a.m. until dark on the corner of Liberty Road and Fairfax Street on the East Side. The event is open to the public for both buying and selling items. The cost for vendors is $10 a space. New and used clothes, jewelry and toys will be among the items for sale. Food vendors will be on hand. Entertainment will include Youngstown library representatives reading to children. The city fire department will also put on a demonstration. For more information contact Marilyn Wright, president of the block watch, at (330) 747-3674 or Vera Smith Darnell, secretary, at (330) 743-1925.

Downtown Wi-Fi done
in downtown Warren

WARREN — Trumbull 100 and the city of Warren announced the completion of the Wi-Fi Internet installation in downtown. The Wi-Fi will cover the outside areas of Courthouse Park, the Kinsman House lawn and the Warren Community Amphitheater. This was a joint project between the city and Trumbull 100. The Wi-Fi will be free to all with wireless Internet access. Shelley Taylor, president of Trumbull 100, said, “This is a quality-of-life project. Warren is keeping ahead of the technology curve and this can prove helpful in recruitment and retention of our businesses and citizens.” Embarq was the contracted entity that installed the Wi-Fi system. It is also donating the first two years of Internet service.

Taco Bell robbery

LIBERTY — Police are investigating a robbery that took place at the Taco Bell restaurant on Belmont Avenue just after 9:30 p.m. Thursday. According to police reports, three men in their early 20s entered the store. One of the men, reports say, distracted employees while another jumped over the counter and took money from a cash drawer. Police have the incident on video from a surveillance camera.

Firefighter promoted

YOUNGSTOWN — Donald Price, a seven-year fire department veteran, has been promoted to lieutenant. Price, 37, was sworn in Friday to his new rank.

Sobriety checkpoint

A sobriety checkpoint will be in Mahoning County from 6:30 to 10:30 p.m. today. Members of the Mahoning County Operating Vehicle Impaired Task Force will target impaired drivers and those not wearing seat belts. Another checkpoint will be held from 9 p.m. Friday until 1 a.m. July 7.

Board reviews spending
for school district

NORTH JACKSON — Jackson-Milton school board officials met Friday to review district spending for fiscal year 2006-2007. The district spent $10,115,671, of which $7,967,110 was general-fund spending, Treasurer John Zinger said. Officials also set a tentative date to have a work session for 5 p.m. Thursday regarding a groundbreaking ceremony for a new Jackson-Milton High School/Middle School. The work session will be at the elementary school, 14110 Mahoning Ave.