Mahoning commissioners approve funds for upcoming state speech tourney

YOUNGSTOWN — The Mahoning County commissioners this morning approved a $1,000 sponsorship grant to the Ohio High School Speech League for its 2015 state tournament, which will be March 6 and 7 at Canfield and Boardman high schools.

The money comes from the county’s hotel bed tax.

More than 900 students from more than 80 schools and more than 200 judges will be on hand for the two-day competition.

The commissioners also authorized the establishment of a deferred building maintenance fund, which will be derived from 50 cents per square foot per year from tenants in county buildings such as Oakhill Renaissance Place on Oak Hill Avenue.

The money will be used for maintaining county buildings.

The commissioners' meeting next week will be at 10 a.m. Friday, instead of Thursday, in the courthouse basement.

For the complete story, read Friday's Vindicator and Vindy.com