Cutting energy costs

Cutting energy costs

NEW MIDDLETOWN — The Springfield Board of Education has signed an energy-saving performance contract with Johnson Controls that will cut annual energy costs. The $1.36 million energy-efficiency project is expected to yield energy and operational savings of $99,634 each year over 15 years.

“We want the residents of the Springfield Local School District to know that the board procured a $1.36 million improvement project that was not funded by a tax increase,” said Len Fagnano, Springfield board president.

“Although we can no longer anticipate federal stimulus support, we have taken steps with Johnson Controls to create our very own stimulus, using the capital to provide some much needed repairs to our school buildings.”

The performance contract will replace inefficient and outdated equipment with more energy- efficient equipment.

“Since the community has decided not to build new schools, this project will position the existing buildings to provide a quality education environment well into the future,” said Ed Sobnosky, district treasurer.

Attempted home invasion

YOUNGSTOWN — Police were called to the 800 block of Compton Lane for a shooting at a house and attempted home invasion at the same time early Friday.

According to police reports, a 31-year-old woman called police at 1:26 a.m. to say she heard arguing to the rear of her home, then heard gunshots.

Police found two rounds had hit the women’s house, one landing near a couch in the living room of the house.

After speaking to the woman, officers spoke to a 49-year-old man living only a few houses away who said he heard someone kicking in his front door. He said he grabbed a handgun and fired through the door.

Police found three spent shell casings, one in the house and two outside the door, at the man’s home.

Officers also found a New York Yankees ball cap and a blue rag, which are believed to belong to the intruder.

Mahoning Co. road closings

YOUNGSTOWN — Mahoning County commissioners approved closing two roads this month for culvert replacements: Lanterman Road between Riblett and Meridian roads in Austintown, Tuesday through Thursday of next week; and Lipkey Road, 3,500 feet north of Mahoning Avenue in North Jackson, May 11-25.

Police probe shooting

YOUNGSTOWN — The victim of an apparent shooting on the city’s North Side on Thursday night is not giving police much information with which to work.

According to police reports, officers were called to the 100 block of Upland Avenue at 8:30 p.m. to find a 36-year-old Columbus man bleeding from the head of an apparent gunshot wound.

The man, reports said, refused to give officers any additional information.

He was taken to St. Elizabeth Health Center and listed in stable condition early Friday.

Tax deadline extended

NEW CASTLE, Pa. — Lawrence County is extending the discount date to pay county taxes to Monday, said county Treasurer Richard Rapone.

The deadline had been Friday.

Taxpayers must make their payments at the treasurer’s office in the Lawrence County Government Center on East Washington Street in New Castle by 4 p.m. to receive the 2 percent discount. Mailed payments postmarked by Monday also will be accepted.

New-citizens ceremony

YOUNGSTOWN — These people became citizens recently, with Judge Beth A. Smith of Mahoning County Common Pleas Court, Domestic Division, presiding at the naturalization ceremony.

Their names, country of origin and city of residence: Nelya Ildarovna Stefanides, Uzbekistan, Canfield; Basem Abdullah Al Kuhali, Yemen, Masury; Naranji Govindji Patel, United Kingdom, Austintown; Yi Ching Chen, Taiwan, Youngstown; Sylvie Laurenzi, Canada, Youngstown; Irene Ashead, Netherlands, Boardman; Andrew Gregory Newland, South Africa, Canfield; and Mostafa Askarian, Iran, Canfield.

Struthers cleanup day

STRUTHERS — The city will have its annual litter cleanup day in conjunction with Join Hands Day on Saturday.

Volunteers, teamed with city workers and city officials, will accomplish a variety of projects.

The crews will meet at Struthers Mauthe Park at 8 a.m. for light refreshments and to receive their tasks. All projects are to be finished by noon.