Youngstown to get $4M for sewer improvements

Youngstown to get $4M for sewer improvements

YOUNGSTOWN — The city is receiving $4 million in federal economic stimulus-package money for two sewer projects and improvement work at its waste- treatment facility.

Half the money is a grant, and the other half is a low-interest loan to the city, said Charles Shasho, the city’s deputy director of public works.

The specific terms and conditions of the loan haven’t been finalized.

The city will use the money for a $1.23 million sewer improvement project on Woodland Avenue and $414,000 for sewer work on Andrews Avenue.

Also, $2.35 million will go toward roof repairs and a cover for a sludge storage tank at the city’s waste-treatment plant near Poland Avenue.

‘Obama’s First 100 Days’

YOUNGSTOWN — Youngstown State University’s Black Faculty and Staff Association will host “President Obama’s First 100 Days” forum from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. Thursday at the university’s DeBartolo Auditorium, Room 132 in DeBartolo Hall.

Victor Wan-Tatah, YSU’s director and professor of Africana Studies, will be the moderator.

The panelists include: Youngstown Mayor Jay Williams; Jim Graham, president of United Auto Workers Local 1112; Clifford Scott, executive director of the Youngstown Metropolitan Housing Authority; Molly Seals, senior vice president of human resources and learning for Catholic Healthcare Partner’s Eastern Division and Humility of Mary Health Partners; and Paul Carr, YSU assistant professor of education.

The panelists will discuss the impact of Barack Obama’s policies enacted during his first 100 days.

The free event is open to the public.

Car break-ins in Sharon

SHARON, Pa. — City police are reporting a number of car break-ins in one area of the city over Sunday and Monday.

The burglaries appear to be occurring between 2 a.m. and 6 a.m., said Police Chief Michael Menster.

Menster said people who live on Linden Street, Euclid Avenue, Jefferson Avenue, Ormond Avenue, Rex Place and Taylor Avenue have reported loose change, stereos, wallets and a navigational system stolen.

He said people should not leave valuables in their cars and should lock them.

Community Corporation to have annual meeting

YOUNGSTOWN — The annual meeting of the Community Corporation, parent organization of the United Way of Youngstown and the Mahoning Valley, is from 5 to 7 p.m. May 7 in Mill Creek MetroParks’ Fellows Riverside Gardens at the D.D. and Velma Davis Education & Visitor Center, 123 McKinley Ave.

The event, which is open to the public, will include election of officers, announcement of 2008 campaign results and recognition of donors and volunteers. State Sen. Joe Schiavoni of Canfield, D-33rd, and Jeff Gue, a young man who was helped by United Way, will be the guest speakers.

Doors open at 5 p.m. for a hors d’oeuvres buffet followed by the program at 6.

Reservations are $15 per person and must be made by contacting the United Way office at (330) 746-8494.

Route 644 restrictions

SUMMITVILLE — State Route 644 will be restricted during daytime hours today and Thursday for a culvert replacement just south of Summitville in Columbiana County.

An Ohio Department of Transportation maintenance crew will be replacing the culvert in preparation for upcoming resurfacing work.

One lane of traffic will be maintained by ODOT personnel. The work is expected to be completed by late Thursday afternoon.

‘Free Fishing Days’ in Ohio planned for this weekend

COLUMBUS — Ohioans are encouraged to take advantage of “Free Fishing Days” on Saturday and Sunday.

For these two days only, Ohio anglers may fish in any of the state’s public waters without having to buy a fishing license, according to the Ohio Department of Natural Resources Division of Wildlife.

During the rest of the year, anglers 16 and older are required to have a valid fishing license. An Ohio fishing license is $19 a year for residents.

Ohio residents born on or before Dec. 31, 1937, can obtain a free fishing license at any license vendor. Residents 66 and older who were born on or after Jan. 1, 1938, are eligible to obtain a $10 senior fishing license.

A one-day fishing license also is available for $11, an amount that later can be applied toward the cost of an annual fishing license. A fishing license is required to take fish, frogs or turtles from Ohio waters. Fishing licenses are available at bait and tackle stores, outdoor outfitters and major department stores, as well as on the Internet at wildohio.com.

Man accused of sex crimes

NEW CASTLE, Pa. — Pennsylvania State Police have accused a 36-year-old New Castle man of sexual contact with a minor.

Ronald L. Dougalewicz, of Edgewood Acres, was arraigned Monday at District Magistrate Jennifer Nicholson’s office in Mount Jackson.

Police said the contact occurred between Dougalewicz and a 14-year-old girl March 14 at a location between Mathews Road in Mahoning Township and Pa. Route 168 in Taylor Township. He is charged with statutory sexual assault, aggravated indecent assault, unlawful contact with a minor, corruption of minors and indecent assault.

He was released on $50,000 bond.

Forgery, theft charges against ex-school employee

SHARON, Pa. — A former employee of the city school district is charged with forgery and theft in connection with money missing from the wrestling boosters and a student activity fund.

Brenda Connelly, 46, who was treasurer for both organizations, is accused of stealing “in excess of $15,000” combined from both accounts, said Sharon Police Chief Michael Menster. The theft occurred in December, he said.

Connelly moved from Sharon and now has an address in Spartansburg, S.C., Menster said.

She turned herself in last week to Sharon police and was arraigned on the charges. She was released on $20,000 bond.

The school district would not say in what capacity Connelly was employed, referring that question to the superintendent, who was not available Tuesday.

MCCTC spring plant sale

CANFIELD — The horticulture program at the Mahoning County Career and Technical Center, North Palmya Road, begins its 2009 spring plant sale Monday.

Horticulture students have prepared items including assorted annuals, geraniums, hanging baskets, begonias, foliage, herbs and vegetables. The horticulture gift shop is open from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Monday through Friday until all items are sold.

For more information on the plant sale, contact Mary June Emerson at (330) 729-4000, ext. 1671.

Attorney is suspended for mismanaging client funds

COLUMBUS — The Ohio Supreme Court has suspended Atty. Albert A. Palombaro of Boardman from legal practice for one year after a disciplinary panel found that he mismanaged client funds, but the top court stayed the suspension upon certain conditions.

They include monitoring of Palombaro’s bank accounts by another lawyer, making full restitution to those affected and attending a law office management seminar.

The high court placed Palombaro on two years’ monitored probation.

In a disciplinary hearing, Palombaro admitted neglecting his legal practice due to his wife’s serious illness and acknowledged he needed to address the problems in his law practice immediately.

Salem to turn 203

SALEM — The city of Salem will observe its 203rd birthday Thursday.

John Straughan and Zadok Street, who had adjoining property, saw the need to create a town, according to the Salem Historical Society.

On April 30, 1806, they provided land from their respective farms to create a town known as “Original Salem.”

The plat took its name from Street’s former town in Salem, N.J. The plat of “Original Salem,” as recorded at the Columbiana County Recorder’s Office, is bounded by the alley between Third and Second streets to the north, the alley between Pershing and Wilson streets to the south and west of Ellsworth Avenue to 180 feet west of Howard Avenue.

Delivery driver robbed

SHARON, Pa. — A pizza delivery driver was robbed at gunpoint early Tuesday, said city Police Chief Michael Menster.

Menster said four men approached the driver as he was getting out of his car in the 800 block of Wallis Avenue at 12:08 a.m. One of them pointed a gun at his head. The robbers stole his money, cell phone and the pizza.

Police are still investigating.

Crystal reported stolen

SHARON, Pa. — A burglar stole $3,500 worth of crystal from a home in the 500 block of South Oakland Avenue, Police Chief Michael Menster said.

Fifteen pieces of Swarovski crystal were reported stolen Sunday, he said.