Items sought for children

Items sought for children

YOUNGSTOWN — Mill Creek MetroParks is calling on the public’s help to keep needy Mahoning County children warm this winter. Mittens, gloves, hats and scarves for toddlers through sixth grade are needed to decorate a “giving tree” that will be located outside Lanterman’s Mill during the “Olde Fashioned Christmas at the Mill” celebration. This annual holiday event will take place Nov. 29 and Nov. 30 from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Olde Fashioned Christmas at the Mill will feature a Victorian Christmas display and entertainment by a juggler, balloon artist and many musicians. Those attending can taste chestnuts roasted on an open fire, give Santa their wish list and purchase unique gifts and crafts. For more information, contact Mill Creek MetroParks at (330) 740-7126.

Niles school board

NILES — The school board will have a retreat and special meeting from 10 a.m. to noon today at American Legion Post 106, 1029 N. Main St.

Teen dance at YWCA

WARREN — A free teen dance being sponsored by the Alliance for Substance Abuse Prevention will be from 7 to 10 p.m. Tuesday at the YWCA of Warren, 375 North Park Avenue. Teens in grades 9 through 12 are invited.

Rick Komray, a local disc jockey, will provide the music. There will also be food, prizes and a free raffle for a $100 Eastwood Mall gift certificate.

ASAP is working with area youths to sponsor drug and alcohol-free activities, said Cathy Loomis, ASAP coalition liaison. “The students in our group said they really wanted to have a dance as part of the Thanksgiving break,” she said.

Security guards and chaperones from ASAP will supervise the event. Admission is free. Teens will not be permitted to re-enter the dance. For more information, contact ASAP at (330) 770-3818.

Church Mouse donations

NEWTON FALLS — The Church Mouse, 26 1‚Ñ2 W. Broad St., recently received donations that are benefiting the Newton Falls Community Food Pantry. The Am Vets of Newton Falls and Blue Knights Police motorcycle group both donated $1,000, and the American Legion of Newton Falls gave $800.

The Newton Falls Salvation Army Service Unit also needs bell ringers for the Christmas season.

The Church Mouse is distributing applications for Thanksgiving and Christmas dinners and for Christmas toys for children.

The Church Mouse was started in 1985 by the Newton Falls Ministerium Association, which involves nine churches. Contact Doug Herlinger at the Church Mouse, (330) 872-5574.

Flu shot clinics

YOUNGSTOWN — Shepherd of the Valley Home Health is having two “last call” flu shot clinics. Times and locations are 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. Sunday, Lord of Life Lutheran Church, 550 N. Broad St., Canfield; and 4 to 6 p.m. Dec. 2, Historic Lutheran Church of St. John, 1429 Mahoning Ave., Youngstown.

Traditional Medicare is accepted as well as cash or check. Copies of documentation will be provided to anyone wishing to file a claim with their insurance company. For more information, contact Ann Sevenich at (330) 530-4038, Ext. 2047, or asevenich@shepherdofthevalley.com.

Child-sex case

LISBON — Robert C. Ehrhart, 64, of West Pine Street, Lisbon, was sentenced Friday to 10 years in prison for having sex with a 12-year-old girl. The sex acts occurred in November and December 2007.

Ehrhart was charged with two counts of rape, a first-degree felony, and one count of gross sexual imposition, a third-degree felony.

Judge David Tobin of Columbiana County Common Pleas Court imposed concurrent sentences that total 10 years.

Tim McNicol, the assistant prosecutor who handles sex cases, said Ehrhart is in poor health. McNicol praised the work of Lisbon Police Chief John Higgins and Officer Shar Daub for their work on the case.

McNicol said that as part of their investigation, Ehrhart admitted everything.