Cold sets off alarms

Cold sets off alarms

YOUNGSTOWN — The extreme cold can be blamed for some fire alarm activations, such as one at the Chevrolet Centre at 7:19 a.m. Friday, said fire Capt. Ray Sanchez, a battalion chief. The alarm panel inside the building read as if there was a sprinkler activation, but that wasn’t the problem, he said. It was “just a glitch” caused by the cold, he said. Cold weather, he said, does funny things to alarm systems. Late Thursday night, an alarm activation at Aey Electric, 2217 Mahoning Ave., was also likely caused by the cold, he said.

Meeting rescheduled

YOUNGSTOWN — The Mahoning County Building Commission meeting has been changed to 1 p.m. Wednesday in the county commissioners’ office on the second floor of the county administration building, 21 W. Boardman St. The commission will discuss options for heating Oakhill Renaissance Place, including retaining Youngstown Thermal’s steam heat, installing new steam boilers, or installing a new $2.6 million zoned system, with multiple, small, natural gas-fired boilers throughout the building. The county’s architect, Raymond Jaminet, recommends the natural-gas system. Oakhill is the county-owned former Forum Health Southside Medical Center, which is now a county office complex.

Catale heads board

YOUNGSTOWN — Anthony Catale is the new president of the Youngstown Board of Education. Catale was elected to the one-year post during a reorganization meeting this week. Lock P. Beachum Sr. was elected vice president. Catale will serve as the state and federal legislative liaison while Beachum will be the federal relations network representative. Board member Richard Atkinson will serve as the Ohio School Board Association delegate as well as legislative liaison to Youngstown City Council. Member Jacqueline Taylor will be the student achievement liaison for the board.

Wiring likely fire cause

YOUNGSTOWN — A wiring problem was the likely cause of light smoke on the second floor at 3436 Powers Way at 5:45 a.m. Friday, the fire department said. Firefighters opened a wall and extinguished a small fire under steps where wiring connected to a light at the home’s side entrance. The resident said he smelled smoke around 1:30 a.m., unplugged several space heaters and returned to bed. He later discovered smoke coming from the step area, reports show. Damage was set at $1,000.

Trustees reorganize

BOARDMAN — Township trustees will meet this year at 5:30 p.m. on the second and fourth Wednesdays of each month in the township government center, Market Street. Larry Moliterno is board chairman, and Robyn Gallitto, vice chairwoman, for 2009. The changes were made at a meeting this week.

Food giveaway

YOUNGSTOWN — Zion Lutheran Church, 3300 Canfield Road, will have a food distribution from 10 to 11 a.m. today. It is for residents of ZIP codes 44509, 44511 and 44515 only. Recipients are asked to take paper grocery bags.

Red Cross assists family

GROVE CITY, Pa. — The Red Cross is assisting a family whose home at 770 N. Liberty St. in Pine Township was a total loss after a fire at 6:20 p.m. Friday. Police are investigating. There were no injuries.

Basement fire

AUSTINTOWN — Austintown Fire Department responded to a basement fire at the home of Tom and Shelly Metz, 4250 Selkirk Ave., around 1:26 p.m. Friday. The cause is under investigation. Austintown police assisted by digging out the fire hydrant, which was covered with snow. Estimated loss is $34,000 in property. The family was unharmed. The department rescued one dog, but another dog perished.

Scholarships available

YOUNGSTOWN — Aspiring artists, musicians, dancers and other students of Polish descent, take note: the Polish Arts Club of Youngstown is seeking applicants for its numerous scholarships. Third- and fourth-year college students, as well as post-graduates, are encouraged to apply. Polish descent is not mandatory if an active member of the Polish Arts Club sponsors the student. The deadline for the 2009 scholarship is Jan. 24 and winners will be announced at the group’s 74th Annual Scholarship Art, Music & Tea Reception at the Butler Institute of American Art, Butler North, Feb. 8. Applications are available by contacting Lisa Lotze, scholarship chairwoman, at (330) 549-0124 or by email at tarsul@aol.com.