Mill and fill project

Mill and fill project

AUSTINTOWN— The Mahoning Avenue mill and fill construction project is on schedule. Eight days after the start of work, Bill Gibson, of the Mahoning County Engineer’s Office, said workers haven’t hit any major snags.

“Things are on track,” he said. “Everyone is doing everything they’re supposed to be doing.”

Gibson said he doesn’t foresee any major problems, save for calls from a few motorists upset about brief traffic delays.

The $2.5 million project includes repaving Mahoning Avenue from Meridian Road to Meander Reservoir, installation of handicap-accessible curb ramps, repair of damaged curbs, and removal of an unused railroad crossing between Meridian and Four Mile Run roads. Workers have 60 days, weather permitting, to finish the project. It’s slated for completion by the end of November.

Pumpkin-carving contest

BOARDMAN — The Great Pumpkin Carve-Out Contest begins Friday at Boardman Park and runs through the weekend.

Friday’s session runs from 6 to 10 p.m. with the contest continuing from noon to 10 p.m. Saturday and Sunday.

The Great Pumpkin Carve-Out gives participants a chance to create jack-o’-lanterns. People should bring their own carving tools and newspaper for cleanup. There is a small charge for the pumpkins, and prizes will be awarded in various age groups.

Grant for East Liverpool

BOARDMAN — At an AT&T Telecom Pioneers luncheon Wednesday, the Pioneers presented an “AT&T Cares” grant check for $5,000 to help renovate the East Liverpool High school’s track.

The renovation of the track is being done with private funds.

Representatives of the East Liverpool School Board and district athletic officials were present. The luncheon was at the Blue Wolf Tavern Banquet Center.

Food Assistance Program

LISBON — The food stamp program is out but the Food Assistance Program is in.

Eileen Dray-Bardon, the director of the Columbiana County Department of Job and Family Services, told the commissioners Wednesday the name of the food stamp program was changed as of Oct. 1.

She said federal authorities had renamed the program as Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, or SNAP. She said her Pennsylvania counterparts were using that name.

Ohio officials didn’t like that name and renamed the program as the Food Assistance Program.

Presentation at YSU

YOUNGSTOWN — “Understanding Work: Two Perspectives on Workers’ Lives,” offered by two international scholars, will be presented to the public in a free session at 7:30 p.m. Tuesday at Youngstown State University.

Alessandro Portelli, a professor of literature at the University of Rome, and Tim Strangleman, professor of sociology at the University of Kent in Great Britain, will speak in The Gallery at Kilcawley Center.

Portelli studies work through oral histories, popular songs and literature while Strangleman uses interviews and photographs, both old and new.

Their appearance is part of the YSU Center for Working-Class Studies 2008-09 lecture series.

Fall festival, part two

AUSTINTOWN — Austintown Community Church, 242 S. Canfield-Niles Road, (state Route 46) will sponsor its second annual fall festival part two from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday in the church parking lot. The church also had the festival Oct. 4.

There will be free games and activities including the Kids Zone, the Pumpkin Patch with hundreds of pumpkins, gourds, cornstalks, straw bales, apples and Indian corn.

Activities will be: 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., Mix 98.9 radio show; 2 p.m., Youngstown State University Penguin mascots “Pete & Penny” along with members of the YSU Marching Band; 2 to 4 p.m., Austintown Fire Department; 2 to 5 p.m. classic car show; and 5 to 7 p.m., B.A.M. magic show.