School board OKs temporary budget

School board OKs temporary budget

YOUNGSTOWN

The Youngstown Board of Education approved a temporary appropriations budget of 25 percent, or about $25 million, of estimated new fiscal-year expenditures at a special meeting Thursday.

The temporary appropriations are needed to keep the schools operating today through Sept. 30, 2012, until a permanent appropriations budget is adopted in September, said Schools Treasurer William A. Johnson.

In other action, the board approved a number of small fund transfers to close the books for the 2010-11 fiscal year, which ended Thursday. The board, however delayed acting on other transfers, involving athletics and purchase orders, until more- complete explanations are provided.

2 hospitalized after minivan accident

new castle, pa.

Two people who were thrown from a minivan after it wrecked Wednesday were in critical and fair condition Thursday.

The accident happened at 5:15 p.m. on the entrance ramp from New Butler Road to U.S. Route 422 west.

State police said driver Anthony D. Lombardo, 36, of West Terrace Avenue in New Castle failed to negotiate a curve and ran off the side of the ramp.

The van hit a guardrail then rolled over.

Lombardo was in critical condition Thursday at UPMC Presbyterian Hospital in Pittsburgh, the hospital said.

A passenger, Brandy Lombardo, 31, also of West Terrace, was in fair condition, the hospital said.

Six children in the van from 15 years to 1 month old were treated at Jameson and Ellwood City hospitals.

Police seek suspect in robbery attempt

new castle, pa.

Police are looking for a robber who threatened a clerk at the Family Dollar on Wilmington Road.

The attempted robbery happened at 7:38 p.m. Tuesday, Neshannock Township Police reported.

Police said a man in his 30s walked up to the clerk and demanded that she give him money.

He reached into his pocket as if he had a gun, police said.

A customer confronted him, and he fled. Police could not find him in the area.

Man charged with sexual assault

new castle, pa.

A man is charged with rape after an investigation by Neshannock Police.

Police said Joseph M. Granata, 52, of Lattavo Drive in New Castle sexually assaulted a 25-year-old New Castle woman at McKee Crossing at the Neshannock Creek Fish Commission access at 8 p.m. March 25.

Police said that after the assault, Granata left the woman in the secluded area and drove away.

He is charged with rape, involuntary deviate sexual intercourse and sexual assault.

He was arrested Tuesday and arraigned before District Magistrate Scott McGrath.

He was given an unsecured bond of $25,000, meaning he must meet certain conditions or he will be jailed, then have to post the bond. His hearing is set for 9:30 a.m. Wednesday.