Boccieri takes command of 773rd

June 4, 2012 at 12:00a.m.

VIENNA

Former U.S. Rep. John Boccieri assumed command of the 773rd Airlift Squadron at the Youngstown Air Reserve Station over the weekend. Boccieri, an Air Force Reserve lieutenant colonel and native of Youngstown, replaced former squadron commander Lt. Col. Peter Milkovich, who retired following the ceremony. “I’ve actually voted to send my friends that I’m now serving with overseas to troubled areas to fight for our nation’s military objectives,” Boccieri said. “Now I’m actually training them and leading them.”

Program gets $250K

YOUNGSTOWN

YSU’s Upward Bound program, which helps Youngstown city high school students prepare for college, has received $250,000 to continue the program for another year. The grant from the U.S. Department of Education could be extended an additional four years at $250,000 a year contingent on satisfactory progress in the program. Upward Bound is designed to help low-income and/or first- generation, college-bound high school students enroll in and succeed in post- secondary education. Upward Bound is recruiting ninth-graders who will be attending East or Chaney high schools in 2012-13. For program or application information, call 330-941-4664.

Public-art project

YOUNGSTOWN

The Summer Festival of the Arts at Youngstown State University and Art Youngstown Inc. are collaborating to create a public art project called “Twenty-Twelve Flags.” This year’s project focuses on artists designing flags that will be displayed during the arts festival July 7-8. The flags will be affixed to the trunks of trees throughout the university grounds. Artists are asked to develop an original design for a flag that best promotes themselves, their family crest, a state, country, school, university, feelings, business/organization, etc. The format is a 2-foot-by-3-foot canvas, vertically oriented. Artists are encouraged to use recycled or repurposed materials. The canvas will be supplied by Art Youngstown Inc. There is no cost to participate. Artists must be at least 16, professional or amateur, and must pre-register by emailing Lori Factor at lafactor@ysu.edu or calling 330-941-3105. Materials for the flags may be picked up 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Thursday and Friday in YSU’s Bliss Hall.