Fire district to use grant for fitness program

Fire district to use grant for fitness program

CANFIELD — The Cardinal Joint Fire District received a $58,853 grant from the U.S. Department of Homeland Security through the Assistance to Firefighters Grants program.

The district is one of 17 departments in Ohio to receive the grant money, Republican U.S. Sen. George V. Voinovich announced.

Chief Robert Tieche said the money will be used to begin a wellness and fitness program for firefighters.

Two firefighters will undergo training to become wellness and fitness educators.

The money also will buy fitness equipment including stair- climbers and treadmills, the chief said, and firefighters will annually have physical examinations.

Catholic Diocese bishop mourns Bishop Wagner

YOUNGSTOWN — The Most Rev. George V. Murry, bishop of the Catholic Diocese of Youngstown, issued this statement on the death Saturday of Bishop Norman Wagner, 68, leader of Mount Calvary Pentecostal Church in Youngstown.

“I was truly saddened to learn of the death of Bishop Norman Wagner. Not only was he a man of the Gospel by word and by example, he was also an inspirational leader in our community. His care and concern for his parishioners at Mount Calvary Pentecostal Church, for the residents of Calvary Towers and for the students of Legacy Academy was well-known and will be truly missed. He was a man who cared deeply not only for his own family but also for others he considered ‘family.’ I was fortunate to know him as a personal friend.

“I offer my sincere sympathy and the promise of my prayers for Bishop Wagner’s family, friends and the members of his congregation. Well done, good and faithful servant.”

$1,000 raised for Haiti

YOUNGSTOWN — Eagle Heights Academy has raised more than $1,000 to aid the victims of the earthquake in Haiti.

Classroom teachers encouraged students to bring in spare change or whatever they could contribute for the Haiti fund. Staff members were also welcome to participate, but the majority of the money raised came from the students.

The school placed a “thermometer” in the main office so students could check the fund-raising progress and watch the “temperature” rise as the school got closer to its $1,000 goal.

The top three fund-raising homerooms will be treated to a pizza party as a reward for their efforts.

Arrested on drug charges

CAMPBELL — A man who was out on bond on a weapons charge was arrested again and charged with drug trafficking.

David Bracetty, 18, who gave police addresses on Morley and Courtland avenues, was charged Jan. 20 with carrying a concealed weapon after a traffic stop. Police found a gun under the driver’s seat in his car, a report said.

He was released after paying $800, or 10 percent of an $8,000 bond, after his court appearance Jan. 22.

Bracetty was arrested again Saturday after another traffic stop on Jackson Street, a report says.

Police found 15 individually wrapped plastic bags of marijuana in his car, a report said. They found another bag of marijuana in his pocket, the report said.

After his arrest on the weekend, he was given a bond of $13,250 and was released on $1,325, or 10 percent of it, police said. He was to appear in court today for an arraignment.

Rep. Altmire opposes Sept. 11 trials in W.Pa.

NEW CASTLE, Pa. — U.S. Rep. Jason Altmire of Natrona Heights, D-4th, sent a letter to President Barack Obama to oppose trying Sept. 11 terrorism suspects in civilian courts in western Pennsylvania, according to a statement he released to the press.

The trials “could result in increased security costs and risks for local residents,” according to the statement.

“Prosecuting the 9/11 terrorists in U.S. civilian courts would cost taxpayers millions of dollars and has the potential to jeopardize our national security,” Altmire said.