Two group homes will close

YOUNGSTOWN —   Two group homes on the North Side — including one where a resident was choked to death — will close July 1.

In a letter the VanSickle Corp. sent to concerned parties this week, Charlene Crissman, homes   administrator, announced the permanent closing of Covington House, 264 Broadway Ave., and Illinois Manor, 135 Illinois Ave.

“We have struggled to maintain operations over the last several years,” Crissman said in the letter. “Due to the recent increase in minimum wage and other cost-of-living increases such as utilities, food and most significantly insurance, the deficit is just too great to absorb.”

Crissman said Tuesday that the closings have nothing to do with the choking death in March. “It’s strictly financial,” she said.

For complete story, see Wednesday’s Vindicator or www.vindy.com.