Ballot count today

Ballot count today

YOUNGSTOWN

The Mahoning County Board of Elections will count provisional ballots today at the board’s offices in Oak-hill Renaissance Place that could affect the outcome of races for Campbell mayor and Smith Township trustee.

Elections board employees have separated the provisional votes into two stacks: those that they believe are valid and those they believe are invalid, said board member Mark Munroe. The board will make the final decision on the validity this morning, before board employees count them, he said.

If the margin of victory is 0.5 percent or less after all votes are counted, an automatic recount will take place Tuesday.

Holiday event

youngstown

Get a start on holiday shopping at Lanterman’s Mill’s old-fashioned Christmas from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday and Sunday in Mill Creek MetroParks.

Visitors can taste chestnuts over an open fire, give Santa a wish list, watch artisans demonstrate crafts and be entertained by a juggler, a balloon-artist and musicians.

Bring a hat, scarf or pair of mittens to help decorate a “Giving Tree.” Donated items will be given to Mahoning County children in need this winter.

Man: I fell asleep

southington

A Warren man says he fell asleep behind the wheel before striking a school bus carrying 20 children. The Ohio State Highway Patrol is investigating.

Shawn D. Canzonetta, 37, and one student were injured after the 2000 Ford Windstar driven by Canzonetta struck the rear of a school bus, driven by Catherine E. Heikkila, 66, of Southington, as it stopped at 7 a.m. Tuesday to pick up students on U.S. Route 422, just east of Lieby Osborne Road.

Heikkila told police she saw Canzonetta approaching rapidly from the rear and instructed the students to back away from the bus, before being hit. Canzonetta stated he had fallen asleep and awoke just prior to the crash, according to reports. The bus and the van had heavy damage. Canzonetta was taken to St. Joseph Health Center with non-life-threatening injuries, and one student had minor injuries.

Crash investigated

Braceville

The Ohio State Highway Patrol is investigating a two vehicle head-on crash that took place about 6:30 a.m. Tuesday on state Route 534 just south of Shanks Phalanx Road.

According to police, Jared M. Wireman, 25, of Southington was southbound when Brian D. Forest Jr., 20, of Newton Falls traveled left of center northbound. His 1999 Pontiac Grand Am struck Wireman’s 1997 Jeep Cherokee head-on. The drivers were trapped in the vehicles for about 45 minutes because of the damage. The drivers were taken to Valleycare Trumbull Memorial Hospital with non-life-threatening injuries.

Project Warm

youngstown

The Salvation Army will continue its Christmas registration of families with children from 4 to 12 years old from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Monday at 1501 Glenwood Ave. Children will receive winter coats through 2011 Project Warm. Participants must have a valid photo identification, proof of guardianship (birth certificates, custody papers or Mahoning County Job and Family Services papers) and be a Mahoning County resident.

Free meal today

WARREN

The Warren Family Mission, 361 Elm Road N.E., will serve its annual free community meal from noon to 3 p.m. today.