Man dies in fire at home

Man dies in fire at home

NILES — Norman Henninger, 77, of 122 S. Butler St., died in a fire at his residence Sunday. Niles Fire Department was called out at 3:08 a.m. and remained on the scene for four hours.

Also injured in the fire were Alberta Henninger, 75, Norman’s wife, and Clarence Emerson, 89. Authorities didn’t know whether or how Emerson might be related.

Alberta Henninger was listed in serious condition Monday afternoon at St. Elizabeth Health Center in Youngstown, and Emerson was in fair condition at St. Joseph Health Center in Warren.

The two-story residence, which is valued between $40,000 and $45,000, is believed to be a total loss, the fire department reported. The state fire marshal was at the scene; the cause of the fire remains under investigation. Trumbull County coroner’s office said a cause of death for Norman Henninger is pending.

Polish-Amercans sought

POLAND — The Polish Arts Club of Youngstown is seeking people of Polish descent to participate in a national survey being conducted by the Piast Institute, an agency devoted to Polish and Polish-American affairs.

The institute has launched an online, 49-question survey to find out more about the attitudes of Polish-Americans regarding key public issues and more.

The survey is a response to the U.S. Census Bureau’s eliminating questions about people’s ancestry on the 2010 census forms. Ethnic groups are worried they might lose their fair share of federal and private dollars as institutions often rely on census data to allocate funds.

The survey is an effort to help provide direction for those who lead Polish organizations.

Piast representatives will address the issue at 2 p.m. Sunday at the Poland Library, 311 S. Main St.

Mayor to be sworn in

HUBBARD — The city’s new mayor, Richard Keenan, will be sworn in at 6:30 p.m. today in Hubbard City Council Chambers by Judge Michael Bernard of Girard Municipal Court. He will serve until the end of 2011 and fill the unexpired term of Arthur Magee, who retired for health reasons.

Keenan, 59, of Moore Street, was elected Dec. 29 by 11 Trumbull County Democratic Party precinct committee people. He served on city council in the early and late 1990s.

Blessing of the water

YOUNGSTOWN — The Eastern Orthodox Clergy Association of Mahoning Valley will conduct its annual blessing of the water at 3 p.m. Wednesday at Lake Glacier at Mill Creek MetroParks. Participants should meet at the parking lot by the lake.

The Rev. Thomas Constantine of St. John the Forerunner Greek Orthodox Church in Boardman said the ceremony takes place Jan. 6, the feast of Holy Theophany, the baptism of Jesus. Lake Glacier was chosen because its water flows into the Mahoning River, and that touches residents in various ways. “The blessing is for the new year and prosperity in Youngstown and the community,” Father Constantine said.

2 arrested in robberies

HERMITAGE, Pa. — Police made arrests in two weekend robberies.

A Four Star Pizza delivery driver was robbed at gunpoint at 9:08 p.m. Sunday while trying to deliver food to an Orange Drive address, police said.

Sharon police assisted Hermitage and caught Alton Lang, 22, of Orange Drive at his apartment. He was taken into custody. A second suspect has yet to be charged, police said.

A woman reported having her purse stolen at 3:22 p.m. Saturday on Bolde Drive, police said. They arrested Joshua Cresswell, 22, of South Oakland Avenue in Sharon, at a Bolde Drive address.