Injured Howland girl attends tailgate party

Staff report

NILES

Marisa Kay Vincent, the 7-year-old Howland girl injured in a Bobcat loader accident, spent the afternoon and evening Friday at Eastwood Field for a tailgate party and chili cookoff to help raise money to offset her medical expenses.

Seventeen entries participated in the cook-off, with the following entries winning awards:

Judge’s Choice in the professional division: First Place, Wing Warehouse, Niles; second, Ice House Inn, Austintown; third, Robbins Avenue Pizza, Niles.

Judge’s Choice, amateur division: First Place, Joy Squibbs, Hubbard; second, Ross Thompson, Howland; and third, Mike Hileman, Austintown.

People’s Choice: professional, Aulizio’s Catering and Banquet Center; amateur, Joy Squibbs of Hubbard.

The event, which took place to earn money for handicapped modifications to Marisa’s home and family vehicle, also featured two local bands, a Mahoning Valley Scrappers baseball game and a performance by the Dream Team, the cheer group Marisa belonged to, as well as a fireworks display of hearts.

Marisa will receive outpatient physical therapy at the Akron’s Children Hospital in Akron.