Columbiana housing authority to receive funds

March 26, 2009 at 12:00a.m.

EAST LIVERPOOL — The Columbiana Metropolitan Housing Authority will receive $931,335 to develop, finance, and modernize public housing in communities, U.S. Rep. Charlie Wilson of St. Clairsville, D-6th, announced Wednesday.

Overall, Wilson’s district will receive $6,812,079, with the Columbiana Metropolitan Housing Authority receiving $931,335.

The funds are part of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act.

The stimulus money also can be used to make large-scale improvements such as new roofs, new plumbing, and new electrical systems to increase energy efficiency.

“Affordable public housing is a crucial part of community development, but it has been the victim of budget cuts for years,” Wilson said. “This funding will address some of the long-standing needs for public housing unit improvements as well as create much-needed jobs in the 6th District.”

Wick Recreation Area open

YOUNGSTOWN — James L. Wick Recreation Area in Mill Creek Park, on the city’s West Side, is now open. Facilities open are the batting cages, par 3 golf, ball fields, playground and volleyball courts. Tennis courts remain closed due to construction.

Relay for Life

LISBON — Students and staff at the Robert Bycroft School had a mini-Relay for Life event at the school last week as part of Developmental Disabilities Awareness month. They collected $1,807 for the American Cancer Society.

Columbiana County Commissioner Dan Bing provided the music and moral support for students and staff who walked for a certain period of time to raise money for ACS.

Indoor triathlon

SALEM — Salem Community Center, 1098 N. Ellsworth Ave., will host an indoor triathlon meet April 5. The cost is $25 to register.

Can you survive the 15-mile bike ride, 500-yard swim, and 5K run? Registration begins at 7 a.m., with the deadline set for Friday. Each participant will receive a towel.

A member of the Triathlon Training Group will call participants to let them know their start time.

Register at the center front desk or by credit card at (330) 332-5885. The registration fee is nonrefundable. No walk-ins the day of the meet.

Home and garden show

HANOVERTON — The United Local Community Education Department is sponsoring its second annual Home and Garden Show from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday at United High School, 8143 state Route 9. The event will feature displays from local businesses for both inside and outside the home. Admission is free.

Driveway crash

CANFIELD — An elderly Sawmill Run Drive driver was taken to the hospital after striking a light post in his driveway. The accident occurred around 9:15 a.m. No further information was available Wednesday.

Mercer County standoff

JACKSON CENTER, PA. — A 43-year-old woman was being treated at Grove City Medical Center and faces aggravated assault and reckless endangerment charges after a standoff with Pennsylvania State Police.

Around 2:30 p.m. Wednesday, Mercer State Police Barracks received a telephone call transferred from Mercer County 911 center from a woman, later identified as Debra Renee Couch of Jackson Center-Polk Road, Worth Township. Couch said she had a handgun and was going to kill herself, police said.

Couch also said that if any troopers came to her home, she would shoot them.

State Police arrived at the home and heard shots coming from inside. Police after several hours were able to persuaded Couch to come out of the house. She was taken into custody.

The police report identified a 46-year-old male victim, but gave no other information about him.

Couch is to be arraigned today before a district judge.