Magistrate bans smoking at House of Hope group home

YOUNGSTOWN — Smoking is banned inside the House of Hope group home, and the home’s basement, where two fires were set last month, is to remain locked and off-limits to residents, a magistrate ruled.

Magistrate Daniel P. Dascenzo of Mahoning County Common Pleas Court ruled from the bench after a court hearing today.

Although he imposed those conditions on the home’s operation, Dascenzo overruled a motion by Lisa M. Eschbacher, an assistant Ohio attorney general, to close the home for mentally disabled adults at 115 Illinois Ave. on the city’s North Side.

The home’s 41 residents must turn over all smoking materials to staff, which will keep the materials in a locked cabinet, with only staff allowed to distribute and light cigarettes for residents, Dascenzo ruled.

For the complete story, read Saturday's Vindicator and Vindy.com