Library ceremony

Library ceremony

CORTLAND

A groundbreaking ceremony will be at 1 p.m. Wednesday at the intersection of Wakefield and Lake-view drives, the location of the new Cortland branch of the Warren-Trumbull County Public Library. The site is near Lakeview High School and Lakeview Middle School.

Construction is to begin immediately for the 10,636-square-foot building with completion expected in May 2012. The library board recently awarded bids totaling $1,582,572 for the project.

Appointments

WARREN

Trumbull County Engineer Randy Smith named Donald J. Barzak, a Johnston Township trustee, to serve as Smith’s director of governmental affairs and grants coordinator. Barzak, who has served as township trustee since 1990, will work with elected officials and support collaborative and interagency projects and grant writing.

Herbert W. Laukhart Jr., meanwhile, will serve as director of finance and personnel. Laukhart worked at Wean United as assistant personnel manager and served 15 years as chief deputy clerk for the Trumbull County clerk of courts. He most recently worked for AVI FoodSystems of Warren.

Smith assumed office Aug. 17 after replacing David DeChristofaro, forced to resign as a result of a criminal conviction for improper use of county resources.

Cause of death

YOUNGSTOWN

The Mahoning County coroner ruled Joseph P. Whitacre, 40, of Brookfield, died of blunt-force injuries of the chest and abdomen as a result of a motorcycle accident early Saturday. Dr. Joseph Ohr, forensic pathologist, ruled the death an accident.

The Ohio State Highway Patrol said Whitacre lost control of his motorcycle and hit a utility pole on Standard Avenue in Brookfield Township after failing to turn at a bend in the road.

Annual band night

Vienna

Mathews Music Boosters and the Mathews Marching Mustangs will host an array of marching styles performed by area bands including McDonald Marching Blue Devils, Mineral Ridge Marching Show Band and Western Reserve Marching Blue Devils at the annual Mathews Band Night at 7:30 p.m. Sept. 14 at Booster Field at the end of Sheridan Drive off state Route 193.

Tickets are available at the door for $5, seniors, $3.50, and preschool children under 6 get in free.

Man faces charges

BOARDMAN

A 24-year-old township man will be back in court today, 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.

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