Voters Guide arrives today

Voters Guide arrives today

YOUNGSTOWN — The latest edition of The Voters Guide arrives at the main branch of the Public Library of Youngstown and Mahoning County, Wick Avenue, at 11 a.m. today. The publication is free and contains a list of all the candidates and issues on the November general election ballot.

The Guide is published by the League of Women Voters.

Fall Fun picnic in Canfield

CANFIELD — A Fall Fun picnic for special-needs children and adults, their family and friends will be from 11:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday at Lifecare Ministry Christian Retreat Center, 8420 Gibson Road (between Turner and Lipkey roads).

There will be food, fun and prizes. There is no charge. Reservations are required.

For more information, call Dennis at (330) 503-1985.

Bridge in Niles reopens

WEATHERSFIELD — The West Park Avenue bridge just west of Waddell Park in Niles reopened to traffic Tuesday after completion of a $1.65 million bridge replacement project.

The bridge spans the Mahoning River between the city of Niles and Austintown-Warren Road.

The project was completed at $60,000 less than estimates and three months ahead of schedule, said David Rouan, director of administration and governmental affairs for David DeChristofaro, county engineer.

The project also marks the beginning of a cooperative relationship between DeChristofaro and Eric Czetli, District 4 deputy director of the Ohio Department of Transportation, Rouan said.

ODOT provided the project administration, Marucci and Gaffney of Youngstown built the bridge, and MS Consultants of Youngstown provided the engineering.

Traficant appearance?

WARREN — Former Democratic 17th District U.S. Rep. James A. Traficant Jr. is among those expected to attend the Trumbull County Republican Party breakfast at 9 a.m. Saturday at the Sunrise Inn Banquet Room, 506 East Market St. The breakfast buffet will cost $9.

Other speakers are Bill Johnson, founder and executive director of the Ohio Sales Tax Reform Incentive, who is being encouraged to run for Congress in the 17th District. Arno Hill, a candidate for Lordstown village council, will also speak about his campaign.

Robert Davis, executive director of the party, said Traficant was invited by some friends of his who regularly attend the breakfasts. It is not known whether Traficant will speak at the event, but he probably will, Davis said.

Theft case bound over

NEWTON FALLS — Timothy Bates II, the 18-year-old Newton Falls man accused of stealing four guns from his father to retaliate against Warren-area young men for a shooting in Newton Falls, waived a preliminary hearing Thursday on four theft counts, and his case has been bound over to a Trumbull County grand jury.

The prosecutor, David Lake, dropped one count of aggravated burglary, the most serious charge Bates faced.

Newton Falls police tracked down Bates, of Columbia Avenue, and Derrin L. Lough, 18, of Mahoning Court, plus a juvenile after they learned through the Newton Falls school district that several Newton Falls High School students were planning retaliation.

The Newton Falls shooting occurred Sept. 15 on Maple Drive, but the shots hit homes in East River Gardens, where Lough lives. No injuries were reported.

Lough pleaded guilty to misdemeanor theft Sept. 17, a day after his arrest. Steve Maas, acting judge in Newton Falls Municipal Court, sentenced Lough to six months in Trumbull County jail and two years’ probation.

Trash and treasure sale

AUSTINTOWN — Austintown Baptist Church, 1180 S. Raccoon Road, will have its annual trash and treasure sale and Chinese auction from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. today and 9 a.m to 1 p.m. Saturday. Household items and clothing will be featured, and the auction will include a pair of Cleveland Browns tickets.

On Sunday, a fall festival will begin at 10:15 a.m. The Gospel Echo Quartet will perform, and there will be free food, music games and prizes.

Charges against 3 teens

HERMITAGE, Pa. — Juvenile court charges have been filed against three teenage boys accused of sexually assaulting a 14-year-old female student at Hickory High School.

Hermitage police say the incident took place Oct. 1 at the high school during dismissal.

Police say the incident began as consensual sexual contact between the girl and another 14-year-old boy. But two other boys, age 15 and 16, became involved, and all three allegedly forced the girl to have sex.

Police say school security cameras recorded the students walking together but none of the sex acts.

The boys are charged in Mercer County Juvenile Court with rape, involuntary deviate sexual intercourse, conspiracy and other crimes.

Urban League conference

WARREN — Thomas Conley, president and CEO of the Greater Warren-Youngstown Urban League and chairman of the Ohio Urban League Conference, will lead the organization’s 2009 conference today in Akron.

The daylong gathering of all eight Urban League affiliates from across the state will bring 250 staff members and CEOs together for training. The event will culminate with an address by National Urban League President and CEO Marc Morial.

“This engagement,” said Conley, “will focus upon the Urban League’s consistent ability to bend with the wind of economic storms.”

Conley stated that Ohio’s affiliate members have a unique ability to adapt and will work closely with one another in continuing to gain ground for its minority communities. The conference will include topics relating to Urban League programming focusing on economic self-reliance and social empowerment.

Leaf-composting bags

YOUNGSTOWN — Youngstown Litter Control and Recycling will be distributing free leaf-composting bags from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday at the Covelli Centre downtown.