Board mulls firing

Board mulls firing

AUSTINTOWN

The Austintown school board moved closer to ending the contract of a teacher who has been accused of misconduct with five female students.

The board Tuesday unanimously approved a motion to consider the termination of the contract of John Dietz, 47, a social-studies teacher at Fitch High School. He was put on paid administrative leave while the district and township police investigated allegations of an improper relationship with a female student in early May. At that time, Superintendent Vincent Colaluca said the district and police had been investigating the allegation for several weeks.

A district release said Dietz had “multiple instances of unprofessional misconduct” with five female students. “Mr. Dietz allegedly sent texts to students and engaged in inappropriate conversations,” the release said.

Pedestrian killed

youngstown

A pedestrian was killed outside the Sparkle Market in Cornersburg on Tuesday evening.

The woman was struck in the parking lot of the Meridian Road store shortly before 6:30 p.m. Vindicator broadcast partner 21 WFMJ-TV reported that the woman was struck and then pinned under the vehicle. She was pronounced dead at the scene. Her identity was unavailable at press time Tuesday night.

Street closings

LEETONIA

The village will close Main Street from Elm Street to the alley by the Eagles and Walnut Street from High Street to Front Street at 6 a.m. Friday for the two-day Bigfoot Festival. The streets will be re-opened at midnight Saturday after the festival cleanup is completed.

Fire board meeting

POLAND

The Western Reserve Joint Fire District board meets at 7:30 p.m. today at Fire Station 92, 7619 Youngstown-Pittsburgh Road.

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