Campaigns targeting underage drinking

By Sean Barron

An all-day school program to encourage pupil safety is set for next week.

McDONALD — Village high school students and their parents will have several opportunities this month to learn about the consequences of hosting underage drinking parties.

Police Chief Lou Ronghi announced at Wednesday’s council meeting that he will conduct three public awareness campaigns at McDonald High School, 600 Iowa Ave., aimed at educating parents and students about the laws and safety risks pertaining to underage drinking. The sessions for students are set for 8 a.m. April 21 and 22; the meeting for parents will begin at 6:30 p.m. April 27.

“I think a lot of folks don’t understand the ramifications to holding these parties and the severity of them,” Ronghi said.

Mayor Glenn W. Holmes signed a proclamation declaring April, May and June as “Parents Who Host, Lose the Most” months. The document, among other things, encourages village residents to refuse to provide alcohol to underage people and points to penalties for those found guilty of hosting such gatherings, which include a possible fine of up to $1,000 and six months in jail, as well as civil action.

Also at the session, Councilman Richard Harvey announced a Safe Routes to School Safety Day, set for 8:15 a.m. Wednesday at Roosevelt Elementary for pupils in kindergarten through grade six. The six-hour program will feature a variety of activities and is geared toward encouraging pupils to walk together, be conspicuous, look for traffic and obey traffic signs and signals, Harvey noted.

Council appointed Larry Menaro, Amanda Stitt and Crystal Gunter as volunteer firefighters, effective immediately. Stitt and Gunter will serve as junior firefighters; Menaro also will be an emergency medical technician and will be paid per call biannually, Fire Chief Ed Winterbauer said.

Officials also appointed Wisdom Domitrovich to a full-time position with the village water department, effective today. Domitrovich worked part time three years with the road and water departments and will be paid $16.40 per hour. He is the brother of Thomas Domitrovich, village administrator.

Thomas Domitrovich encouraged residents to call the administration building at (330) 530-5472 to report damage to mailboxes or other property from equipment used to plow snow from roadways this winter.