Union: faculty not to blame for dip

Union: faculty not to blame for dip

YOUNGSTOWN

Youngstown State University faculty union says it’s not to blame for a 2.5 percent enrollment dip. Head-count enrollment on the first day of fall-semester classes Monday was 14,617 — a decrease of 372 students from the first day of classes last fall semester.

Jack Fahey, vice president for student affairs, indicated that labor issues over the summer — which included a strike vote that put into question the start of fall semester classes — was a factor. But YSU-OEA President Julia Gergits believes that university trustees are responsible for students’ concerns about fall semester starting on time.

“They could have resolved this situation in plenty of time for students to enroll for fall term, but they chose not to,” she said. Gergits also noted that many general-education courses are full and closed, and she expects that enrollment figures will increase over the next week.

Suspect arrested

ellwood city, pa.

State police arrested a man wanted in an assault and robbery on Hollow Road in Wayne Township.

Edward J. Prestia, 43, of Broadway Drive in Ellwood City was arrested at noon Saturday at a residence on West Lawrence Avenue.

He is charged with robbery, criminal conspiracy to commit robbery, aggravated assault and simple assault in the July 31 incident. Two men who were walking along the road were shot at, and one was beaten and robbed by people in several vehicles, police reported. Prestia is in Lawrence County Jail in lieu of $25,000 bond.

Also charged in the robbery and assault is Prestia’s wife, Barbara Jean Prestia, 46, and John Alan Pounds, 47, of Fox Street in Ellwood City. They were arrested previously.

Man faces charges

BOARDMAN

A 24-year-old township man will be back in court Thursday, facing charges of kidnapping, felonious assault and domestic violence. John E. Yager III was arrested Monday after his release from a local hospital for psychiatric evaluation. Police said Yager held his 14-month-old son at knife point Aug. 23 at a residence on Shields Road at Aravesta Avenue. No one was injured.

Meetings scheduled

YOUNGSTOWN

The public is invited to attend one of two meetings — 5 p.m. next Wednesday at Austintown Library, 600 S. Raccoon Road, and 7 p.m. Sept. 8 at Newport Library, 3730 Market St. — to offer input in the search for a new director for the Public Library of Youngstown & Mahoning County. Current director Carlton A. Sears is stepping down.

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