Negotiations stalled

Negotiations stalled

MINERAL RIDGE — There has been no progress in resolving negotiations between the Weathersfield Township trustees and the six members of the Ohio Patrolmen’s Benevolent Association, trustee chairman James Stoddard said Tuesday.

Police will continue to work under their old, three-year contract, which expires today.

Talks toward a new contract for four patrolmen and two lieutenants have been under way for nearly two months, but negotiators are now in the process of calling in a fact-finder, Stoddard said. The old three-year contract approved in July 2006 included 3-percent increases in each year. A patrolman now earns $19.72 an hour.

Trainer wins lottery

HOWLAND — A Warren woman won a $250,000 Ohio Lottery prize the day she was training an employee on the lottery machine.

Linda Morgan, who manages Lottery News Connection, 8280 E. Market St., bought a ticket that was left over and won $250,000 for matching five numbers in the June 26 Mega Millions drawing.

Morgan said she doesn’t usually buy Mega Millions tickets but purchased the leftover ticket because it had the number 29 on it, which represents an anniversary number for her and her husband.

After mandatory federal and state taxes totaling 31 percent, she will receive $172,500. She plans to use the win to pay off some debt and buy a few things.

The auto lotto ticket winning numbers were 11-15-17-29-46. The mega ball number was 16. Lottery News Connection receives a $1,000 bonus for selling a second-tier prize-winning ticket.

2 arrested at apartment

BOARDMAN — Police arrested two Cook Avenue men after a search of their apartment Tuesday morning.

Joseph Almaraz, 29, is charged with possession of marijuana and possession of drug paraphernalia. Brian Cencarik, 26, is charged with obstructing justice and resisting arrest, accused of fighting with police.

Both men live in apartment No. 3 at 685 Cook Avenue.

Police used a Taser to subdue Cencarik when he refused to comply with their orders.

The search by the Narcotics Enforcement Unit of the township police yielded marijuana, scales and other drug paraphernalia, said Sgt. Mike Hughes, who heads NEU.

Both men were taken to the Mahoning County jail.

Packages for troops

Shepherd of the Valley is asking everyone to remember our troops this Fourth of July.

The facility is working with the Youngstown-Warren Air Reserve Station to collect and send care-package items to troops overseas.

Through August, items such as flip-flops, razors, nonaerosol hygiene products, gum, snacks and puzzle books can be dropped off at any of the five Shepherd locations: Niles, 1500 McKinley Ave.; Youngstown, 5525 Silica Road; Poland, 301 W. Western Reserve Road; Howland, 4100 North River Road; and Boardman, 7148 West Blvd.

For a list of other suggested items and items not allowed, visit www.shepherdofthevalley.com, and click “News and Events/Community Events.” For more information contact Lynn Miller, corporate marketing director, at (330) 530-4083, ext. 2057.

Summer programs

YOUNGSTOWN — Warriors Inc. has announced several summer programs.

A financial-planning program is offered for age 11 to 17. The five-week program begins Tuesday and runs from 2 to 3 p.m.

A six-week self-esteem class called “Uniquely Me,” for girls age 11 to 17 also begins Tuesday from 2 to 3 p.m.

The organization also is looking for volunteers for morning gardening, fishing and bike riding, and mentors are needed for group or one-on-one mentoring.

For questions or to register for the self-esteem class or financial planning program, contact activities coordinator Sparkil Ali at (330) 783-5440. Contact Wendy Robinson at the same number for information about volunteering or mentoring.