Teachers strike in Falls

Teachers strike in Falls

NEWTON FALLS — Teachers in Newton Falls Exempted Village Schools will be on strike today after the union notified the board of education it had rejected the board’s last offer.

Schools will remain open with substitutes in place of striking teachers, but the high school football game that was scheduled for tonight between the school and Windham High School has been canceled.

For the first time since 2002, the Newton Falls Tigers had a 2-0 start to the season. The team has gone 1-9 in each of the last three seasons.

In a press release Thursday, Superintendent David Wilson said “the board made a fair offer to the teachers that, if the [Ohio] Department of Education could guarantee a certain level of funding, the district would provide the teachers with a 2 percent raise while also allowing the district to restore busing.

“The teachers rejected the board’s offer and chose to strike.”

Agreement reached between city and ex-chief

GIRARD — An agreement between the city and its former police chief has been reached, but officials are still withholding details.

Mayor James Melfi said the city is pleased with the outcome of weeks of discussions with Frank Bigowsky’s legal counsel. Melfi said he expects an announcement of the details today, but is awaiting the return of one of the city’s lawyers.

In an Aug. 28 letter to the Girard Civil Service Commission from Atty. Dennis Haines, Bigowsky’s lawyer, Bigowsky withdrew the appeal of his demotion because an “amicable resolution” was reached with the city.

The settlement stems from the demotion of Bigowsky from chief to patrolman after charges that Bigowsky taught private classes on city time, engaged in conduct that undermines the civil service hiring process and disregarded a valid direct order to meet daily with the mayor.

Garbage cleanup planned

YOUNGSTOWN — Youngstown Litter Control and Recycling is having a citywide cleanup from 9 a.m. to noon Saturday. Volunteers are asked to meet at the Chevrolet Centre at 8:30 a.m. for a rally.

Shrub planting planned

NEW WILMINGTON, Pa. — Westminster College invites members of the community to help plant 150 shrubs along the banks of McClure Run beginning at 9 a.m. Saturday. Volunteers will meet at Westminster’s softball field. Extensive work has been done to improve the water quality of McClure Run, which flows through the campus and was designated a “stream under stress” by the state. The plantings, one of the last portions of the project, will help stabilize the stream bank, provide tree canopy and improve the overall appearance. Planting will take place rain or shine. Oak, maple and swamp white oak trees will be added next spring.

Event raises money for cancer programs

AUSTINTOWN — A Way With Words Foundation will have its fourth annual Something For Everyone event Sunday to raise money for local cancer programs and the ROCcK Children’s Choir.

The event, noon to 4 p.m. at Immaculate Heart of Mary Parish Hall, 4500 Norquest Blvd., will feature a pasta dinner, car show, prizes, a concert and celebrity auction. There also will be drawing for a 1984 Jaguar XJS at 3 p.m. Tickets are $20 and only 400 will be sold. Winner need not be present.

Tickets for the dinner are $7 ($6 for seniors and students; under 5, free), and carryout will be available.

Auction items include a signed script from the “Mary Tyler Moore Show,” autographed pictures from Angelina Jolie, John Travolta, Jim Tressel, Browns, Steelers and Indians players, Faith Hill, Tony Hawk, NASCAR drivers, Doris Day, Julie Andrews, Henry Winkler and James Earl Jones. Contact Brenda Rider at (330) 360-3300 or go to www.awaywithwordsfoundation.org.