Waterways cleaned up

Waterways cleaned up

STRUTHERS — Some 1,000 illegally dumped tires, along with other debris, were collected by city employees and volunteers over the past during a cleanup of creeks and other waterways in the city in August.

The cleanup, conducted under the auspices of the city’s Storm Water Program, is to be followed up with planting grass in some of the areas to make them more attractive, said Mayor Terry Stocker.

Protecting the creeks and waterways is vital, and cleaning them makes the city safer and cleaner, Stocker said.

Fire district grant

POLAND — Western Reserve Joint Fire District will receive $42,398 from the U.S. Department of Homeland Security’s Federal Emergency Management Agency. U.S. Sen. Sherrod Brown of Ohio announced the grant. “These funds ensure that the firefighters of the Western Reserve Joint Fire District have the resources they need to perform their jobs safely,” he said.

According to FEMA, the Assistance to Firefighter Grants are used to help firefighters and other first responders obtain critically needed equipment, protective gear, emergency vehicles, training and other resources needed to protect public and emergency personnel from fire and related hazards. Since 2004, nearly $2.75 billion has been awarded to first-responder organizations.

Fires deliberately set

YOUNGSTOWN — A deliberately set fire at 1:40 a.m. Monday was confined to the stage area of the former Nyabinghi nightclub at 1229 Salt Springs Road on the West Side, the fire department said. Damage to the vacant structure was set at $250. A firefighter entering through a first floor window twisted his knee on furniture that was directly below the window, reports show. Over the weekend, the vacant house at 3107 Dearborn St. on the North Side was destroyed by an intentionally set fire. Heavy fire was showing on the second floor when firefighters arrived at 12:30 a.m. Saturday. Damage was set at $5,000, a total loss.

Sunset at the Farm

CANFIELD — Mill Creek MetroParks’ fall festival, Sunset at the Farm, is set for 5 to 8 p.m. Saturday at the MetroParks Farm, Columbiana-Canfield Road.

The program is free and aimed at families.

Visitors may participate in hayrides pulled by draft horses, campfire entertainment and fresh apple butter and cider.

Children can enjoy visiting with farm animals, a marshmallow roast and a trip through a cornfield maze.

Festivities also include a sack race and an egg toss. The AgVenture Barn will be open and the Western Reserve Model Railroad Club will stage a giant train display.

Families are encouraged to bring lawn chairs or blankets.

Obama’s HQ to open

NEW CASTLE, Pa. — The opening of presidential campaign headquarters for U.S. Sen. Barak Obama will be downtown at 7 p.m., today at the Temple Building, 117 E. North St. The office field manager is Sara Fatell. Dan Rooney, owner of the Pittsburgh Steelers, also will be present. The phone number at the headquarters is (724) 698-7839.

Family movie night

BOARDMAN — Boardman Park will present a family movie night Saturday. The movie, “Evan Almighty,” starts at 8:30 p.m. at the park, and attendees should bring blankets or lawn chairs.