Half-year with Hollywood Gaming

AUSTINTOWN — Operations for the first six months of Hollywood Gaming at Mahoning Valley Race Course have been smooth.

Whether looking at the low volume of police reports or fire/medical calls — 26 and 44 respectively — or the day-to-day operations, there have been few hiccups.

“We plan for the worst, and expect the best. So early on we established those relationships” with local authorities, explained Mike Galle, vice president and general manager of Hollywood Gaming, 655 N. Canfield-Niles Road.

“It was really

about the training and the efforts we took to foresee what could happen and plan ahead.”

Lt. Nakia Hendrix, commander of the Canfield Post of the Ohio State Highway Patrol, noted: “We haven’t had any issues with the racino.”

Austintown Fire Chief Andy Frost III said of those 44 calls, 11 were alarm activations due to the frigid cold.

“There’s nothing that’s been substantial out there,” he said.

The facility had a VIP event Sept. 15 before opening to the public Sept. 17 so it passed its six-month mark last week.

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