Choffin remains closed

October 30, 2009 at 12:00a.m.

YOUNGSTOWN — Choffin Career & Technical Center on East Wood Street was closed again today as repairs continue on an electrical problem that cut service to the building Wednesday.

All classes, including Rayen Early College Middle School, the OPTION program and adult evening classes, are canceled.

A malfunction in a basement electrical-equipment room cut power to the building shortly after 9 a.m. Wednesday, resulting in the sounding of an alarm and the evacuation of about 1,000 people from the building.

Man dies of gunshot

NEW CASTLE, Pa. — A 20-year-old man was fatally shot in the city. Antonio McKnight was found lying on a sidewalk at 8:17 p.m. Wednesday outside 733 Altman Road in the Harbor Heights housing units, New Castle Police said. He had been shot in the abdomen, they said.

McKnight was taken to Jameson Hospital, then to St. Elizabeth Health Center. He died at 4:54 a.m. Thursday.

Police said McKnight lived in New Castle. They are continuing their investigation and ask that anyone with information on the shooting call them at (724) 656-3587.

YOUNGSTOWN — Free toy giveaway signup for those in need to the first 30 families is from 1 to 2 p.m. Tuesday at Nevels Temple Church, 939 Elm St., across from Wick Park.

The giveaway is for infants to age 17. You must bring the following: valid picture identification, not expired; proof of whole household income; Social Security cards for you and children; welfare printout from Mahoning County Department of Job and Family Services; and proof of guardianship if you have custody. You cannot be signed up for a similar event at another agency.

Chamber endorses tax

YOUNGSTOWN — The board of directors of the Youngstown/Warren Regional Chamber has endorsed passage of Issue 4, the continuous renewal of Mahoning County’s half-percent sales tax on Tuesday’s election ballot, saying the tax is needed to ensure long-term reliability of county government funding.

Without renewal, that tax would expire Oct. 1, 2010. Each of the county’s two half-percent sales taxes generates about $14 million in annual revenue for the general fund, which is the county’s main operating fund.

The general fund supports the sheriff’s and prosecutor’s offices, the courts, the board of elections, 911 center and many other functions. Voters renewed the county’s other half-percent sales tax in 2007.

H1N1 inoculation clinics

YOUNGSTOWN —The Youngstown city schools, in conjunction with the Youngstown City Health District, will have a series of H1N1 flu-inoculation clinics over the next several weeks.

The clinics will serve only students in the city schools, and a parent or guardian must be present to sign for those receiving treatment. Both injection and nasal-spray inoculations will be available.

All of the clinics will run from 1 to 6 p.m. The dates and locations are: Monday — Choffin Career and Technical Center for students from the North and East sides of town; Nov. 9 — Chaney High School for students on the West Side of town; and Nov. 18 — Taft Elementary School for students living on the South Side of the city.

ReStore sets open house

STRUTHERS — Habitat for Humanity Mahoning County ReStore is hosting a Halloween open house Saturday from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. at 480 Youngstown-Poland Road. The festivities will include food and discounts for store purchases.

Participants are encouraged to come dressed in their favorite Halloween costume. Also, pull a surprise discount coupon from the pumpkin for use during the store open house. The deals are good for all home d cor, furniture, building materials and more.

The ReStore takes donations of new or lightly used building supplies, furniture and housewares for resale to the general public. The store is open 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Thursday and 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Friday and Saturday.

Habitat for Humanity of Mahoning County is a faith-based, ecumenical, nonprofit builder of simple, decent and affordable homes for low-income people in the community.

For more information, contact Habitat for Humanity of Mahoning County ReStore at (330) 755-2232, HFHMC-restore@sbcglobal.net or visit www.hfhofmc.org.