Food-stamp assistance

Food-stamp assistance

YOUNGSTOWN — Those seeking storm-related emergency food-stamp assistance no longer need to obtain letters from Ohio Edison, the American Red Cross, or a local fire department or community agency verifying that they were without electric power for at least four hours, according to a Mahoning County Department of Job and Family Services official.

As authorized by the state, JFS will now use for eligibility determination purposes its own Ohio Edison-issued map showing areas that were without power for at least four hours after Sunday’s high winds, said Emmaline Adams, JFS program administrator.

Food-stamp customers whose food spoiled in their refrigerators and freezers due to an extended power failure will receive food stamps to replace their lost food. Thursday will be the application deadline.

Applicants are urged to appear in person at JFS, 345 Oak Hill Ave., with their photo identifications.

Beaver contract update

ROGERS — Dr. Sandra J. DiBacco, superintendent of Beaver Local Schools, said Friday that a new pact with its teachers should be ready for the board’s next meeting.

The board will meet at 6:30 p.m. Oct. 13 at the high school.

Teachers and the administration reached a tentative agreement Thursday.

The new agreement, however, has to be written before the teachers and the board can approve it, she said.

Leslie Gabbert, spokeswoman for the 146-member Beaver Local Education Association, could not be reached Friday.

DiBacco said she would not comment on the pact until it is approved.

The teachers gave a notice to the board last week that they had planned to strike at 3:30 a.m. Monday. The old three-year pact expired Aug. 31.

Red Cross fundraiser

SHARON — The American Red Cross of Trumbull and Mercer counties will have its third annual Ride for the Red Raffle and Poker Run beginning 11 a.m. Sunday at Quaker Steak and Lube in Sharon.

The ride will also end at the restaurant, with dinner to be served at 5 p.m. Cost for riders is $15, and passengers are $10. Proceeds support local Red Cross emergency service programs.

For more information call (330) 392-2551 or (724) 962-9180.

Facing robbery charge

BOARDMAN — A Warren woman is charged with robbery, accused of struggling with a store security officer.

Diamond Dawkins, 18, of Fifth Street, was arrested Thursday afternoon at JCPenney.

The store security officer said he saw Dawkins and a juvenile female select clothing and go into a fitting room. As they left the fitting room, he saw the clothing in the women’s purses. Both walked out of the mall without paying for the merchandise, and he tried to detain them.

The juvenile pulled away and Dawkins started screaming and swinging her arms at the security officer, striking him several times in the face and head, the officer said. The juvenile dropped the stolen merchandise and fled, but the officer detained Dawkins.

Dawkins, charged with robbery, was lodged in the Mahoning County Jail. She is scheduled to appear in court Tuesday.

Branch drop-off

AUSTINTOWN — The township will permit residents to drop off branches from the recent storm at the township hall, 82 Ohltown Road. Branches are limited to 6 feet in length and 10 inches in diameter.

Hours are 7:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. Monday through Friday. The program will end Sept. 30.

Arrest in stabbing

HERMITAGE, Pa. — A 16-year-old Hermitage girl has been arrested in the stabbing of a 17-year-old Sharon girl, Hermitage police reported.

Miranda Trepasso, of Pine Hollow Boulevard, is being charged as an adult with aggravated and simple assault and carrying a prohibited weapon, police said.

Police said the assault occurred in the parking lot at 400 Orange Drive at 11:30 p.m. Wednesday. Trepasso is accused of stabbing the victim in the hand, thigh and stomach with a switchblade knife.

The victim, whose name was not released, was taken to Sharon Regional Health Center, police said.

Trepasso was taken to an adolescent center.