Mahoning sheriff warns about phony charity

Mahoning sheriff warns about phony charity

YOUNGSTOWN — The Mahoning County Sheriff’s Department is not soliciting donations to help a needy family, said Sheriff Randall A. Wellington.

The Vindicator checked with the sheriff after it received an e-mail from a person saying he received a call soliciting a donation for a shopping spree for a needy family and was told to make the check out to the Mahoning County sheriff.

The person did not participate, growing suspicious because the caller’s number was blocked on the caller ID.

Bar owner charged after employee suffers injury

AUSTINTOWN — The part-owner of O’Donold’s Irish Pub was arrested after a man outside the bar was assaulted.

Brian Rubesich, 31, of Warren, is charged with felonious assault, after the victim, an employee, said he was hit in the face with a beer bottle at about 11:30 p.m. Tuesday.

He told police Rubesich spent several hours at the bar, on Mahoning Avenue in the Austintown Plaza. Rubesich became angry over business concerns, the victim said, and began making threats.

The victim said that as he left the bar through the back door, he turned and was hit with the beer bottle. He told police Rubesich then fled from the parking lot.

Police said Rubesich was found a short time later in his car in the parking lot of Home Depot, 6100 Mahoning Ave., in Austintown.

He was taken to Mahoning County jail and arraigned at Mahoning County Area Court here. Bond was set at $25,000. A pretrial hearing was set for 2:30 p.m. Dec. 22.

Public input welcome on 2030 transportation

YOUNGSTOWN — Eastgate Regional Council of Governments will host a forum to solicit public input for the update of the region’s 2030 long-range transportation plan.

The forum is set for 3 to 6 p.m. Wednesday at Eastgate offices, 100 E. Federal St. Suite 1000.

The forum offers Mahoning Valley residents the opportunity to participate in a review of suggested local transportation improvements and to offer comments or recommendations that will guide development of programs to benefit the Valley between 2009 and 2030.

Improvements available for public review include specific transportation improvement using U.S. Department of Transportation funding such as highway, bridge, transit and pedestrian/bikeway enhancements.

Board seeks applicants for two zoning boards

POLAND — Township trustees are seeking applicants for appointment to the zoning appeals board and the zoning commission and alternates for each board.

Individuals interested in appointment must live in the unincorporated area of the township and should mail or deliver a letter of interest and statement of qualifications to township trustees, 3339 Dobbins Road, Poland, 44514, by Dec. 31.

YSU hosts Jabali African Cultural Celebration

YOUNGSTOWN — The Africana Studies Program at Youngstown State University will have the ninth annual Jabali African Cultural Celebration at 6:30 p.m. today in the Chestnut Room of Kilcawley Center.

The evening will feature an authentic African dinner and entertainment by the Harambee Drummers of Youngstown and the YSU African Student Union. Thomas S. Conley, executive director and chief executive officer of Warren-Youngstown Urban League, will deliver the keynote address.

Tickets are $10 for students and $25 for all others.