Any voting problems?

Any voting problems?

The Vindicator would like to hear about any problems anyone has while trying to vote. Call (330) 747-5500.

Auditor denies endorsement

NORTH JACKSON — Mahoning County Auditor Michael V. Sciortino said he hasn’t issued any endorsement on the Jackson-Milton School District tax renewal levy on Tuesday’s ballot. Sciortino, in a prepared statement, said he was given a copy of a communication circulating in the district that quotes him as saying, “Save 18 percent on Your Jackson-Milton School Taxes.”

The auditor said he never made that statement.

“As an elected county official, and importantly, not a constituent of your fine school district, I cannot cause an endorsement on this issue,” he said, adding that the decision rests with the district taxpayers.

Clinic renamed for veteran

HERMITAGE, Pa. — The Mercer County Veterans Affairs Clinic on Kerrwood Drive has been named the Michael A. Marzano Veterans Clinic in honor of Marine Corps Sgt. Michael A. Marzano, who was killed in action in Iraq.

Marzano was the first Mercer County resident killed in the war.

A dedication ceremony is scheduled for 11 a.m. today. The public is invited, and an open house will follow.

Police Taser woman

BOARDMAN — Police said they had to use a Taser on a 24-year-old township woman after the vehicle she was driving struck the Dairy Queen on Market Street and she fought with police.

Around 10:30 p.m. Thursday, the woman lost control of her car and struck the restaurant. She ran up Market Street carrying her 1-year-old baby girl. An officer persuaded the woman and infant to sit in the back of his cruiser until paramedics arrived. Upon their arrival, the woman became upset and at one point began to shake the child.

An officer, concerned about the child’s safety, took the child from the woman. The woman then punched a paramedic in the mouth and continued to scream and swing her arms at medics and fire department personnel until an officer used a Taser to stop her behavior, police said.

She was taken to St. Elizabeth Medical Center for mental evaluation. Charges are pending.

Reservists head to Baghdad

VIENNA — Thirty Air Force Reservists from the 910th Airlift Wing are scheduled to leave here today, heading to Baghdad International Airport, Iraq, to support the war on terrorism.

Members of the 76th Aerial Port Squadron volunteered for the 180-day tour of duty in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom.

The last time the aerial porters deployed in large numbers was last year when 50 were activated in support of cargo-handling operations in Kyrgyzstan in support of Operation Enduring Freedom.

The 76th Aerial Port Squadron is the cargo-handling unit assigned to the 910th Airlift Wing. They are responsible for loading cargo, heavy equipment, vehicles and supplies for delivery by C-130 Hercules aircraft.

The primary mission of the 910th Airlift Wing is to deliver personnel and cargo by airdrop and air-land techniques anywhere in the world.

Eagle’s lodging to open

VIENNA — A ribbon-cutting ceremony to officially open the new $8 million Eagle’s Nest Lodging at the Youngstown Air Reserve Station is at 10 a.m. today.

The 33,448-square-foot Eagle’s nest, the first of four phases of planned new lodging at the air base, has 32 visitor rooms, six handicapped-accessible visitor rooms and five business suites. It also has laundry rooms, an employee lounge, guest service rooms, a fitness room, a conference room, a lobby with a fireplace and administrative offices.

The contract for the facility was awarded Aug. 17, 2006, and the building was handed over to the 910th Airlift Wing’s Services Squadron on Aug. 22. The general contractor was a partnership of Better Built and Jack Gibson Construction.

Five sworn in as citizens

YOUNGSTOWN — Five people were sworn in as U.S. citizens in a naturalization ceremony late this week presided over by Mahoning County Probate Judge Mark Belinky.

The new citizens, their hometowns and countries of origin are: Yolande Jackson, Youngstown, Ivory Coast; Mohammad Azam Khan, Boardman, Pakistan; Minghui Chen, Youngstown, the People’s Republic of China; Catherine Mills, Ellsworth, Jamaica; Magda Fathi Elbiri, Boardman, Libya.

Exchange signs for sandwich

BOARDMAN — Chick-fil-A, Boardman-Poland Road, will reward civic-minded customers between 6 a.m. and 10 p.m. Wednesday by offering a free chicken sandwich in exchange for expired campaign signs from their yards. There is a limit of one sandwich per customer.

“Our Chick-fil-A family encourages eligible voters to make their voices heard in this election,” said Gail McCullough, the restaurant’s franchise operator. “The day after casting your vote, we welcome you to stop with your campaign signs for a tasty Chick-fil-A treat on us.”

All signs will be returned to the appropriate campaign representative.

Schools await approval

MINERAL RIDGE — There is one more hurdle before Weathersfield schools will know if they are picked for an Ohio Schools Facilities project. The school board earlier this week approved a resolution agreeing to participate in the state’s classroom facilities assistance program. Superintendent Michael Hanshaw said the next step will be for the commission to meet Nov. 20 and to approve Weathersfield schools for a project.

Hanshaw said the district has met for more than a year with building principals, architects and the facilities commission to come up with a plan that all can agree on. Once the commission approves a plan, the district will have parent-teacher and community meetings to explain the plans, he said.

Horseman Council to meet

MECCA — The Trumbull County Ohio Horseman Council will meet at 7 p.m. Sunday at Mecca Fire Hall at the northwest corner of state Routes 88 and 46.

The guest speaker will be veterinarian Dr. Larry Stefanick, who will discuss general equine care. Questions and answers will follow the presentation. Guests are welcome. Parking is behind the fire hall building.

Campaign rehangs flags

BOARDMAN — American flags hung backward at the local Barack Obama campaign on Market Street are now hanging correctly.

The flags were hung vertically with the stars on the right side. But flag-hanging protocol calls for the stars on the left side when a flag is vertical. The incorrect hanging of the flags was completely unintentional, said Keary McCarthy, an Obama spokesman.

The flags, hung by volunteers, were immediately taken down and hung correctly Friday after the issue was brought to the campaign’s attention by The Vindicator.

Fundraiser supports victims

WARREN — Someplace Safe Inc., Trumbull County’s domestic violence protection agency, will host its annual “Nite at the Races” fundraiser at 6:30 p.m. today at Elks Lodge 295, 3581 Youngstown Road S.E., as a continued effort to raise support and resources for the victims of domestic violence.

The price of $25 includes a buffet dinner, cash bar, 50/50 raffle and Chinese auction. Tickets will be available at the door.

Sodom Hutchings Road to be closed Monday

WARREN — Sodom Hutchings Road, about 4,000 feet south of Crews Hood Road in Liberty Township, will be closed Monday and Tuesday for a cross pipe replacement, the Trumbull County engineer’s office reports.

The recommended detour uses Tibbetts Wick Road, state Route 193 and Crews Hood Road.

Kirk Road work completed

AUSTINTOWN — Construction by the Ohio Department of Transportation on Kirk Road is completed.

Paula Putnam, public information officer for ODOT District 4, said the road, which has been closed since July 22, opened Monday.

The bridge was closed for 90 days as a part of a $7 million project to re-deck and paint bridges over state Route 11 at Mahoning Avenue and Western Reserve, Kirk and New roads.

Work on the Mahoning Avenue bridge is the last phase of the project and is scheduled to be completed by late August 2009.