Metro digest

Meeting on skate park

STRUTHERS — The city is having a public meeting for anyone who wants to talk about the skate park on Stewart Street at 7 p.m. Wednesday in council chambers at the Struthers city building, 6 Elm St.

The skate park has been closed since Aug. 9 after neighbors across the street complained about loud, profane language there. The city is planning to reopen the park with limited hours and new signs that post rules against profanity and littering.

Some neighbors have said they want the city to move the ramps out of the park and put them somewhere else — an option that some city officials don’t believe is economically feasible. City officials have said that if problems persist, they will consider closing it permanently.

“We would like to see a fair and equitable outcome for all those involved and try to establish a mutual respect between the skaters and surrounding neighbors,” said Michael Patrick, council member at-large.

Teacher’s firing upheld

YOUNGSTOWN — A judge has concurred with a magistrate’s decision to uphold the firing of a Campbell City Schools teacher. Judge James C. Evans of Mahoning County Common Pleas Court recently approved Magistrate Eugene J. Fehr’s decision supporting the firing of Raymond J. Lanzo of Boardman. Lanzo, who was a fifth-grade teacher, had filed a lawsuit challenging his termination by the Campbell Board of Education. The board unanimously fired Lanzo on July 9, 2008, saying his discipline of male pupils by twisting their hair and pulling their ears constituted inappropriate touching.

Struthers open house

STRUTHERS — Open house for Struthers Elementary School will be Wednesday for grades one through four. Parents will have an opportunity meet their child’s teacher, and the necessary school forms will be distributed.

Parents of children in third and fourth grades should visit the school at 5:30 p.m. Parents of first- and second-graders should arrive at 6:30 p.m. Kindergarten orientation will be at 9 a.m. Sept. 2.

Fresh produce available

YOUNGSTOWN — Second Harvest Food Bank of Mahoning Valley will have a one-time distribution of fresh produce today from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the food bank, 2805 Salt Springs Road. Recipients must meet the federal income guidelines. For details, call the food bank at (330) 792-5522.

Bridge work to start

CANFIELD — Beginning Monday, the state Route 11 bridge over Indian Run between U.S. Route 224 and Western Reserve Road will have various lane restrictions in either or both directions for repair work. A minimum of one lane of traffic will be maintained in each direction. This work is part of a $1.8 million project for the bridge deck replacement and bridge painting. The project is scheduled to be complete by late October 2010.

Telephone meeting

U.S. Rep. Tim Ryan of Niles, D-17th, is inviting his constituents to participate in a telephone town-hall meeting on health-care changes at 6:30 p.m. Monday. Ryan will take questions from the callers as well as explain the health-care proposal.

To participate, you must contact Ryan’s Warren office at (330) 373-0074 or his Washington, D.C., office at (202) 225-5261 by 10 a.m. Monday.

Health-care vigil set

YOUNGSTOWN — The Mahoning Valley Organizing Collaborative and participating churches will have a health- care vigil in front of Northside Medical Center, 500 Gypsy Lane, from 7 to 8 p.m. Sunday.

Organizers said the purpose is to show the community and its elected representatives the importance of supporting health-care reform with the choice of a public option. They support House Bill 3200, which they say would eliminate co-pays for preventive care; eliminate rate increases and coverage denials for pre-existing conditions; cap total out-of-pocket spending; guarantee every American the right to choose their plan and doctors; and include a public- insurance option.

The MVOC’s primary focus is to unite groups throughout the community to increase quality of life in urban neighborhoods in Youngstown and Warren.