Tax deadline today in Mahoning County

March 13, 2009 at 12:00a.m.

YOUNGSTOWN — Today is the last day to pay first-half Mahoning County real estate taxes without penalty.

Payments will be accepted from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. in the county treasurer’s office, 120 Market St., or at certain local banks during their normal business hours.

Any payment postmarked today will be considered on time.

Republican breakfast

WARREN — The Trumbull County Republican Party will have its monthly breakfast meeting at 9 a.m. Saturday at Mocha House Restaurant, 467 High St.

For more information, call Robert Davis at (330) 883-4755.

Salem man foils theft

SALEM — A would-be thief blamed his action on his lack of a job.

A woman who lives in the 500 block of North Ellsworth Avenue told police that her dog barking alerted her that someone was on her porch around 10:08 p.m. Wednesday.

Her husband ran after the man, who had taken a power saw, and caught up with him in a nearby alley.

The thief, who was wearing a black hoodie and a white mask, dropped the saw, said he was unemployed and ran away, according to the police report.

Arson investigated

YOUNGSTOWN — The fire department is investigating an arson on Midland Avenue.

Firefighters responded to a blaze on the city’s West Side around 9 p.m. Wednesday and extinguished it in about three minutes. The fire started on the front porch of the vacant home and spread to two additional rooms.

The cause and source of the fire are being investigated, but it is believed to be intentional.

Damage was set at $15,000.

A board-up order was issued.

Vacant home fire

YOUNGSTOWN — An Ellenwood Avenue house will be demolished after a fire Wednesday evening.

Responders arrived on the scene at 5:24 p.m. to find the front porch of the South Side structure engulfed in flames, which spread and damaged interior rooms. Firefighters battled the fire for more than 11 minutes before it was controlled.

The vacant home sustained about $10,000 in damage. The cause and source of the fire were undetermined and are under investigation.

Maple Syrup Festival

BOARDMAN — Boardman Township Park is sponsoring its 32nd annual Maple Syrup Festival from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. March 21-22 and March 28-29.

Activities include old-fashioned mapling demonstrations, hayrides and Civil War re-enactors. All activities are free.

This year, Boardman Rotary will have its annual pancake breakfast from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. March 28-29 in the Boardman High School cafeteria.

Mahoning SWCD selling trees, shrubs and fish

CANFIELD — The Mahoning Soil Water and Conservation District is selling trees, shrubs and fish.

The trees and shrubs are 1 to 4 years old and up to 3 feet tall.

Varieties include red raspberry, white dogwood, blue spruce, pawpaw and pond lilies.

Deadline for ordering trees is April 10 with pickup two days only — from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. April 17 and 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. April 18 at the Canfield Fairgrounds.

The fingerling-size fish to stock ponds and lakes will also be sold. The fingerling fish are fathead minnows, white amur, redear shellcrackers, crappies, largemouth bass, bluegill, channel catfish and yellow perch.

Deadline for ordering is April 24. Pickup is from 2:30 to 3:30 p.m. April 28 at Canfield Fairgrounds.

Also available: pond/swimming pool safety kits (call for prices). Kit includes: flotation ring, reach pole, “deep water” sign and safety instructions.

A complete list of this year’s fish and tree sale along with prices and order form may be obtained by calling (330) 740-7995 or on www.mahoningswed.org.