Ambassador to speak

Ambassador to speak

LIBERTY — Dr. Riyad H. Mansour, Palestinian ambassador and permanent observer for Palestine to the United Nations, will speak at 8 p.m. Saturday during an open meeting at the Arab American Community Center, 15 Belgrade Ave.

A graduate of Youngstown State University with family connections in the Mahoning and Shenango valleys, Mansour is visiting Youngstown to help commemorate the 60th anniversary of the Naqba — the Catastrophe of Dispossession and Ethnic Cleansing suffered by the Palestinian People. Dr. David Porter and Dr. Gabriel Palmer-Fernandez coordinated the program.

2 face weapons charges

YOUNGSTOWN — In separate events, a 16-year-old East High School boy on suspension was arrested at Chaney High School with a knife and a 16-year-old East High School girl was caught with a utility knife in her bra, police said. The teenagers were arrested Monday and taken to the Martin P. Joyce Juvenile Justice Center to each face a charge of illegal conveyance of a deadly weapon onto school property.

Arrested on drug charge

YOUNGSTOWN — A 17-year-old West Princeton Avenue boy changed his mind about walking away from Patrolman Josh Kelly at a Glenwood Avenue convenience store when the officer’s four-legged partner, Helo, barked an order to come back. The boy was arrested around 8 p.m. Monday on a charge of possession of marijuana after four packaged-for-sale bags were found in his hoodie pocket. Kelly and Helo were at the store in response to numerous complaints about drug sales from the side lot.

Slots license hearing

HILLSVILLE, Pa. — The public is invited to a hearing at 9 a.m. Thursday at the Mahoning Township Community Center, 4538 W. State St. (U.S. Route 224), Hillsville, on whether to grant a slots license to the proposed Valley View Downs harness racing track.

The Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board has set the hearing to give a chance for local government officials, community organizations and individuals to comment on the application that would allow operation of 3,000 slot machines at the proposed $420 million harness racing facility on 250 acres off U.S. Route 422 near Pa. Route 551.

Those wanting to speak at the hearing must submit a form two business days before the hearing. The form is available at www.pgcb.state.pa.us or at the Mahoning Township Building next to the community center.

OK’d as independent

LISBON — The Columbiana County Board of Elections said Gregory A. Shaffer, of 910 S. Lincoln Ave., Salem, has enough valid signatures to qualify to run as an independent for county commissioner.

The elections board made its decision Tuesday.

Shaffer will be running for the Jan. 2 county commissioner’s seat. Democrat Penny Traina of Wellsville, who was appointed to the post, must run for the full term. She faces Republican Becky Burke of East Liverpool.

Shaffer was defeated last year when he ran as an independent in the Salem mayor’s race.

House fire extinguished

AUSTINTOWN — Firefighters extinguished a house fire apparently caused by an unattended cigarette at 317 Forest Hill Drive.

Austintown firefighters estimate the damage to the rental house at $2,500. Damage was done to the carpeting, baseboard and stove, said Austintown fire investigator Michael Maiorana.

Brian Boyles, who lives at the home, called 911 around 11:30 p.m. Monday. A cigarette in the ashtray apparently ignited magazines and papers, Maiorana said. Firefighters extinguished the blaze in a few minutes.