Scout cookies are safe

Scout cookies are safe

Girl Scout cookies now on sale have not been affected by the recent peanut butter recall, said Marianne Love, director of business services for the Girl Scouts of Northeast Ohio

“We contacted our baker, which is Little Brownie Bakers, and they have let us know the company they get their peanut butter from is not the company in question,” she said. “We have been assured there is no concern.”

A nationwide recall of peanut butter has been issued due to a salmonella outbreak. Two of eight cookie varieties, Do-Si-Dos and Tagalongs, have peanut butter in them.

The cookie sale runs through March 8. People who wish to purchase cookies can call (888) 984-4664 to find a local troop.

Fire closes mall early

GROVE CITY, Pa. — The Prime Outlets closed early Thursday after an in-ground electrical fire disrupted sections of the center’s electricity.

The Springfield Township Fire Department was called to the scene of a small, contained fire in an underground electrical box at the mall around 4:30 p.m., a firefighter said.

The fire cut power to some locations within the mall and prompted mall officials to evacuate and close stores more than four hours early.

The fire snuffed itself out, the firefighter said, without assistance from the department. No one was reported injured.

Workers from Penn Power were on the scene to resolve the problem, and there was no word at press time as to whether the shopping center will resume regular business hours today.

Police: Boy had knife

WARREN — Police arrested a 13-year-old male student at Warren Western Reserve Middle School at about 1:15 p.m. Wednesday for possible charges of carrying a concealed weapon, possession of tobacco and obstructing official business. Police were called after the principal discovered tobacco products in the boy’s coat and then found a knife on him, a Warren police report said.

Snow around hydrants

YOUNGSTOWN — Firefighters aren’t waiting for mounds of snow to melt away from fire hydrants. They will be working throughout the city to clear snow away from the hydrants, said Fire Chief John J. O’Neill Jr.

Because there are nearly 6,000 hydrants in the city, he is asking that anyone who is physically able to clear snow from hydrants near their residence or business.

Firefighters dinner

YOUNGSTOWN — The 22nd annual Youngstown Professional Firefighters retirement and awards dinner will be Friday at Our Lady of Mount Carmel Center, 343 Via Mount Carmel. The dinner is at 7 p.m. and the ceremony at 8 p.m.

Thirteen firefighters who retired will be recognized and 2008-09 R.E. Mills Mudville Scholarship recipients named. The firefighters are Andrew Kramer, Mark Candor, Edward Cortes, Kenneth Croutch, Gary Minnie, Victor Eck, Edward Holcomb, Richard Ortz, Douglas Kazear, George Zordich Sr., Conrad Lockiec, Ted Everett and Lawrence Cummings. The scholarships, which range from $500 to $1,500 for Youngstown State University, are awarded to children of firefighters. They are Chelsea Caggiano, Joe Carbon, Jolanta M. Carkido, Gregory DiTullio, Amanda Moore, Edward O’Neill, Benjamin P. Relter, Margaret Russo and Marie Rupert.

Talk on Iraqi Christians

COLUMBIANA — Columbiana Area Peacemakers will present guest Jane Stoffer from Salem, who will talk on “Life for Christians in Iraq” at 6:30 p.m. Jan. 29 at Columbiana Library, 332 N. Middle St.