Western Reserve levy

Western Reserve levy

BERLIN CENTER— The Western Reserve Local School Board of Education voted unanimously Thursday to put a 4.6-mill renewal levy to a taxpayer vote this November.

The levy, originally passed in 1992, would generate about $425,000 annually for the next 10 years, said Carol Brobest, treasurer for the district. The original levy required renewal every five years, but if voters approve this renewed tax Nov. 3, it would need to be renewed every 10 years, Brobest said.

Without the levy, Brobest said the school is facing a budget deficit that could result in cuts next year.

“These gas prices, oil prices, all our utility prices have drastically increased,” she said. “We need it for operating costs. If it isn’t passed this time, we would have to put it on again. The millage rate would go up.”

For a homeowner with a $100,000 house, the tax would be about $160 a year.

Agencies’ funds cut

YOUNGSTOWN — The Mahoning County Mental Health Board, forced to absorb the loss of $3.1 million in state funding, is cutting funding to its core agencies by about $1.2 million. The cuts are: Burdman Group, $289,625; D&E Counseling Center, $253,867; Help Hotline Crisis Center, $51,087; Meridian Services, $34,919; and Turning Point Counseling Services, $576,794.

Burglary charges

AUSTINTOWN — A Campbell man was arrested on charges of aggravated burglary and assault after police said he broke into a township woman’s home.

According to a police report, Cortland Penny, 25, of Harmony Lane, was taken into custody at about 3:30 a.m. Friday. The victim was alerted to someone in her home by her dog’s barking, the report said. She went downstairs and found Penny, police said. He reportedly entered the home after removing a fan from a first-floor window. Penny and the victim began arguing, the report said, and the altercation became physical, and both parties fell down the basement steps.

Penny was taken into custody by Austintown Police without incident and transported to the Mahoning County jail. He will appear in court at 9 a.m. Monday.

Woman turns 100

AUSTINTOWN — Fancie Monroe has a lot to celebrate.

Monroe turned 100 on Wednesday, and will share the milestone with friends and family today. The party will be at 4 p.m. in the community room at Humility House in Austintown, where Monroe has lived since 2004, according to a news release from Humility of Mary Health Partners. Monroe has two sons and nine grandchildren and loves telling stories of her earlier years.

“Although she is blind, Fancie still enjoys singing and telling stories to anyone who will listen,” the news release said. “One of Fancie’s favorite stories is how she met her first and only love, Frank Monroe. Even though she is not as mobile as she used to be, she still loves dancing and will have everyone in the room laughing.”

Felonious-assault case

LIBERTY — A 2-year-old boy, who was the victim of a felonious assault Aug. 7, was discharged Monday from Akron Children’s Hospital, where he had been flown.

Kenneth Thompson Bey, with addresses at 900 block of Colonial Drive and Snellville, Ga., is charged with endangering children and felonious assault. The police report said the incident took place at the Colonial Drive address where a relative of Bey’s lives and that Bey struck the boy in the back of the head to discipline him. The boy went limp and had a seizure.

The boy was first taken to Northside Medical Center, where he was unresponsive. Hospital personnel called police and the child’s mother, Regina Williams, Oregon Street, Youngstown, who police identified as Bey’s girlfriend.

Girard car show

GIRARD —Girard-Liberty Rotary Club will host its third annual car show from 2 to 6 p.m. today on Market and Main streets. The free public event will begin with vehicle registration at 11 a.m. Twenty-three trophies and plaques will be awarded, a DJ will spin oldies, and food and beverages will be available. An end-of-summer parade will begin at 7 p.m. on U.S. Route 422 and will be followed by dancing in the streets to the music of the band Rage from 8 to 11. Proceeds for the day’s event will benefit Relay for Life.