Homestead exemption to cut property taxes

January 18, 2009 at 12:17a.m.

HOWLAND — Trustees are reminding township senior citizens of a program that can cut property taxes in 2009. The Homestead Exemption Program, which was passed by the state Legislature in 2007, provides a $25,000 tax exemption to senior homeowners age 65 or older.

Seniors are eligible regardless of the value of the home or their household income but must have owned and occupied their home as of Jan. 1 to qualify. Previously enrolled homeowners will automatically receive the reduction. The Trumbull County auditor’s office will allow previously unregistered residents to apply for the 2008 exemption as well. To apply, call the auditor’s office at (330) 675-2420 or go to the Web site www.co.auditor.trumbull.oh.us and click on the Homestead link.

Housing assistance is program for landlords

YOUNGSTOWN — Landlords are encouraged to attend an informational meeting about Help Hotline Crisis Center’s Housing Assistance Program at 10 a.m. Wednesday at the Community Mental Health Center, 1344 Fifth Ave. Call (330) 747-5111 for more information and to register.

Review village report

NEW MIDDLETOWN — The village’s 2008 financial report is complete and available for review at the village offices, which are open weekdays from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., Village Fiscal Officer Carl Flitcraft Jr. announced.

YMCA is offering Dads and Kids Weekend

The YMCA is offering a Dads and Kids Weekend from Feb. 6-8 at Camp Fitch, 12600 Abels Road, North Springfield, Pa.

The weekend retreat, designed to experience winter and traditional camping activities, is meant for fathers and sons or daughters age 5 to 12.

Those participating in the getaway can enjoy the camp’s rock climbing wall, horseback rides, tubing, cross-country skiing and plenty of other indoor and outdoor activities.

Cost is $145 for fathers and their first child and $35 for each additional child. Registration deadline is Feb. 4. Contact Rob Anderson at (814) 922-3219. For more information, contact David Mullane at (330) 540-2645. For additional information on Camp Fitch, visit campfitchymca.org online.

Conservation district sets erosion workshop

CORTLAND — The Trumbull Soil and Water Conservation District will be hosting a workshop, “Erosion and Sediment Control” for Trumbull County developers and contractors from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Feb. 10.

The workshop will be at the Trumbull County Agriculture and Family Education Center, 520 West Main St.

Topics will include erosion and sediment control regulations, site-specific inspections and presentations and issues with wetlands and streams.

Morning refreshments and lunch will be provided. Seating is limited. Respond to the Trumbull Soil and Water Conservation District at (330) 637-2056, ext. 3, by Feb. 6.

Canfield man gets probation in drug case

HOLLIDAYSBURG, Pa. (AP) — A Canfield man and a Kentucky woman will spend two years on probation for having a teddy bear stuffed with drugs delivered to a central Pennsylvania hotel room.

State police say 49-year-old Michael Kalouris of Canfield and 25-year-old Danielle Woodall of Louisville, Ky., had the bear delivered from Ohio to a hotel room in Altoona in June. Police say the bear contained 46 OxyContin pills, a powerful prescription painkiller often abused by street addicts.

Police say FedEx workers alerted police because it was to be delivered to a hotel. Police intercepted the package, found the drugs, then charged the couple when an undercover officer delivered it. Police say the couple wanted the pills for a party planned in the room.