Mahoning officials set recycling grant deadline

Mahoning officials set recycling grant deadline

YOUNGSTOWN — The Mahoning County commissioners set a Jan. 15 deadline for the Recycling Initiative/Competitive Funding grant that provides funding and support for projects that benefit county residents.

The RICF grant is available to schools, local governments and nonprofit organizations that strive to fulfill the Green Team’s mission to reduce, reuse, recycle, and not litter.

More information, as well as a 2009 application, can be found at the Green Team’s Web site, www.greenteam.cc.

Since it was started in 1999, the RICF program has awarded more than $3 million to various entities in Mahoning County to support earth-conscious projects.

Unit makes 4 OVI arrests at stop in Austintown

AUSTINTOWN — Four impaired-driving arrests were made during extra enforcement Saturday night on New Road.

The Mahoning County Operating Vehicle Impaired Task Force was assisted by the Ohio State Highway Patrol and the Ohio Investigative Unit. The enforcement ran until 3 a.m. Sunday.

The task force will have another sobriety checkpoint somewhere in Mahoning County from 11 p.m. this Saturday until 3 a.m. Sunday.

Performing arts at Eastwood Mall

NILES — The Eastwood Mall Performing Arts Center, across from Spencer Gifts, along the concourse between Macy’s and Dillard’s, is providing youth and adults an opportunity to be creative.

The center is an art appreciation initiative and community development project. The center is scheduling performances by local dance groups, choirs, community bands and drama clubs.

To schedule a performance, call Gail Stark at (330) 394-3384. The Performing Arts Center hours are subject to performance schedules and can be viewed at the Eastwood Mall Web site at www.eastwoodmall.com. All performances are free and open to the public.

Christmas Bird Count planned for Sunday

Trumbull County’s Christmas Bird Count will be held Sunday.

The Christmas Bird Count began in 1900 and is the oldest database on bird populations; Trumbull County’s began in 1979.

Locally, the bird count is conducted within a 15-mile radius that includes Kent State Trumbull Branch, Champion, Southington, West Farmington, Bloomfield, Bazetta, Mecca and Cortland. Anyone living in these communities who would like to help in this historic count can watch their feeders and call Carole at (330) 856-6160.

The Christmas Bird Counts are online at the Audubon and Cornell University Web sites.