Student competition

Student competition
YOUNGSTOWN -- Seven Youngstown State University students will travel to New Mexico this week to compete in the 17th annual International Environmental Design Contest. The contest will pit students against environmental challenges related to water sustainability in industrial applications. Contest events will take place at the Pan American Center on New Mexico State University's campus in Las Cruces from April 1-4. YSU will be represented by Alex Gedra, Nicole Geffert, Mark Hamilton, Emmanuel Katsaros, Christa Mastramico, Joseph White, Jessica Williams and their faculty adviser, Douglas M. Price.
Felasco parole opposed
NEW CASTLE, Pa. -- Lawrence County Commissioner Ed Fosnaught has joined his two colleagues in opposing parole for a former county treasurer. Fosnaught sent a letter dated Friday to the Pennsylvania Board of Probation and Parole asking that Gary Felasco not be granted parole. Commissioners Dan Vogler and Steve Craig announced in early March that they would be sending letters opposing Felasco's release. Felasco is serving a one to seven year state prison sentence after being convicted of theft and embezzlement from his office. He took tax dollars and used them to pay personal bills, rent hotel rooms and buy a conversion van. His review by the parole board will be done in April and, if granted, he could be released by August.
Two robberies reported
WARREN -- Police are investigating two armed robberies, including one in which two cars were taken Friday. A 21-year-old Robert Avenue man told police he was concerned that he was going to be robbed by some people he knew. While putting a .380-caliber pistol in the trunk of his car at his home about 3:45 a.m., a car reportedly pulled up and four men got out and took his gun and keys.
About 15 minutes earlier, two men, a 52-year-old from Weathersfield and a 37-year-old from Niles, told police they were at a Draper Street apartment. The older man said he was smoking crack and the other said he was drinking when several men forced their way through the front door. One was carrying a shotgun. They told police their two Chevrolet cars were taken.
Grants for computers
Grants from the eTech Ohio Commission's SchoolNet Plus program will pay for new computers in four Trumbull county school districts, state Sen. Capri Cafaro of Liberty, D-32nd, announced Friday. The state program provides schools with money to buy one classroom computer for each five pupils in the eighth grade. The grants went to: Bloomfield-Mespotamia, 1,312; Weathersfield, 6,478; Liberty, 13,448; and Champion, 20,224.
Learning about flu
BOARDMAN -- The Mahoning Chapter American Red Cross is offering a presentation of its Pandemic Flu Education at its Disaster Services meeting at 6:30 p.m. April 9. The chapter is across from the Davis Family YMCA on McClurg Road. Participants will learn how to avoid the flu, prepare for a pandemic and how to volunteer with the Red Cross. Registration is required, but the program is free. Call (330) 726-6063.
Kindergarten registration
NEW MIDDLETOWN -- Springfield Elementary is registering children for fall kindergarten. Parents or guardians must call the school at (330) 542-3722 between Monday and April 13 for a registration/screening appointment, which will be held April 17 and 18. Children must be 5 by Sept. 30 to enroll. Parents must bring the child's birth certificate, Social Security number, immunization record and custody papers, if applicable.
Man remains hospitalized
NILES -- A 34-year-old Niles man remains hospitalized after he was reportedly struck by a minivan. Troy Tersack of Woodland Avenue is in critical condition in St. Elizabeth Health Center. Police said the crash remains under investigation. They identified the driver as Helen Maxwell, 46, of South Cedar Street. Tersack was found along Woodland about 11:30 p.m. Thursday.
Ice cream sale
SHARON, Pa. -- Canfield Middle School, Sharon High School and Augustine's Pizza Shop in New Castle are the three pickup spots for ice cream purchased at the Shenango Alumni Society Annual Penn State Berkey Creamery Ice Cream Sale. The last day to order is April 9, and April 28 is the pickup date. For an order form, call the Penn State Shenango Alumni Office at (724) 983-2905 or visit the Web site at www.pennstateshenangoalumnisociety.org. Proceeds benefit the society's scholarship fund.