Visitation rules relaxed

Visitation rules relaxed

AKRON — Akron Children’s Hospital has lifted its restricted visitation policy related to the H1N1 swine flu at all of its locations, including Akron Children’s Beeghly Campus in Boardman.

Though the number of H1N1 flu cases continues to rise, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reports that most cases are similar to the seasonal flu and do not require hospitalization.

On April 28, Akron Children’s put a “restricted visitors” policy in effect, allowing only parents or primary caregivers to visit patients and asking families to limit the number of families and friends accompanying patients to the ER and outpatient surgery waiting room.

Man pleads innocent

YOUNGSTOWN — A man charged with promoting prostitution and conspiracy to promote prostitution at his two Canfield motels pleaded innocent at his arraignment.

Arthur S. Klein, 67, of Akron-Canfield Road, Canfield, owner of the El Patio and Canfield Colonial motels, entered his plea Tuesday in the courtroom of Judge R. Scott Krichbaum of Mahoning County Common Pleas Court. The case is set for trial July 20 before Judge Lou A. D’Apolito.

Klein, who remains free on bond, has retained Atty. John Shultz as his defense lawyer. If convicted, Klein could forfeit the motels.

Litter cleanup event

YOUNGSTOWN — A citywide litter cleanup event is set for 8 a.m. to noon Saturday.

The city’s litter control and recycling division and the Keep America Beautiful Program, the event’s organizers, are asking volunteers to meet at the Covelli Centre, formerly known as the Chevrolet Centre, at 8 a.m. Saturday. Free trash bags, gloves and T-shirts will be provided.

Also, city street department workers will help pick up, dispose or recycle the trash and recyclables collected by volunteers.

People are asked to team up with family and friends to form groups for the cleanup. Large groups are asked to call Jennifer Jones, the city’s litter control and recycling coordinator, before the event at (330) 744-7526.

Volunteers can choose an area to clean up or can ask to have one assigned.

Volunteers to be feted

YOUNGSTOWN — The Salvation Army, Mahoning County Area Services, is celebrating 125 years serving Youngstown.

The annual volunteer appreciation luncheon is at noon today at Salvation Army headquarters, 1501 Glenwood Ave. The guest speaker is Maj. William A. Bamford, the SA’s Northeast Ohio Division Commander, and special featured speaker is Anthony Lariccia of Boardman, Mahoning Valley businessman and philanthropist.

Flags on vets’ graves

YOUNGSTOWN — AMVETS Post 44 and American Legion Post 732 will meet at Oak Hill Cemetery for the placing of flags on military veterans’ graves at 8:30 a.m. Saturday. All interested parties are invited to participate and to bring their children and grandchildren so they can learn more about Memorial Day observances, said Teddy Kester, AMVETS commander.

Open house planned

WARREN — The Geauga-Trumbull Solid Waste District and Trumbull Soil and Water Conservation District will have an open house at its facilities at 5138 Enterprise Blvd. off Parkman Road from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. today.

The free event is intended to explain the district’s household hazardous waste collection program. Anyone who attends will receive a chance to win a compost bin or other prizes. Information on how to manage household waste and pollution prevention will be available. Items commonly needing proper disposal include paint and household chemicals.