NAACP cause
NAACP cause
YOUNGSTOWN
The Youngstown Chapter of the NAACP has taken the city school district’s compliance with federal Title I as its cause this year.
In a recent review of the district’s Title I programs, which funds strategies to help economically disadvantaged children, the Ohio Department of Education found about 30 areas of noncompliance that the district has worked to address.
The NAACP will meet today with Stephen Stohla, interim superintendent, about correcting those areas.
Hearing reset
WARREN
A hearing to determine whether Jacob Larosa, 15, will be tried as an adult or juvenile in the killing of Marie Belcastro, 94, is now set for Nov. 16 to 19 in Trumbull County Juvenile Court. Larosa, of Lafayette Avenue in Niles, is charged with aggravated murder, attempted rape, aggravated burglary and aggravated robbery in the March 31 attack on his neighbor in her home on Cherry Street in Niles.
This is the third time the hearing has been reset. Judge Sandra Stabile Harwood, who is presiding over the case, originally set it for July 8 to 10. The most recent change was to give the parties time to review reports prepared by expert witnesses.
Chamber endorsement
YOUNGSTOWN
The Youngstown/Warren Regional Chamber endorses Mill Creek MetroParks’ tax renewal and increase for the November election, it announced Monday.
The proposed levy is a 15-year, 1.75-mill renewal with an additional 0.25-mills. The additional funds would go toward the $29 million worth of capital improvements the park leadership has planned for the next 15 years.
The chamber’s government affairs council voted “overwhelmingly” to support the levy, according to a release.
Library to reopen
BOARDMAN
The Boardman Public Library, 7680 Glenwood Ave., will reopen at 9 a.m. Wednesday, now that work at the front of the building is complete, but a second phase of the renovation project continues.
The second phase includes new furnishings, shelving and display units, early literacy play elements, outdoor areas, new seating and iPads for the teen area.
The library closed Sept. 28 to accomplish tasks that could not have been performed while the library was open.
Bullet holes inside home
YOUNGSTOWN
Police found bullet holes inside a home in the 3000 block of Kiwatha Avenue on Sunday while arresting a man on charges of domestic violence.
Police were called to the home Sunday afternoon by a woman who said her boyfriend, Kendale Clark, 26, had smashed windows and mirrors during an argument over money. Reports said officers noticed broken glass but Clark was not there when officers arrived. After police left, they were called back about 2:40 p.m. because Clark had returned. He was taken into custody on a domestic violence charge as well as a charge of possession of cocaine after police found two bags of cocaine on him, reports said.
Reports said officers spotted several bullet holes inside the home that had been patched. The woman told officers that Clark had fired a gun inside the home during other arguments, reports said.
Court gets $62K grant
NEWTON FALLS
The Department of Rehabilitation and Correction has awarded the Newton Falls Municipal Court with a Probation Improvement and Incentive Grant in the amount of $62,468 for the 2016 and 2017 fiscal years. These grants are part of efforts to reduce crime in Ohio by enhancing community correction programs.
Informational events
POLAND
The Breakfast Club at Poland Presbyterian Church will host two informational events regarding the school district’s bond issue and accompanying levies on the Nov. 3 ballot.
Representatives from the middle school and the Poland Historical Society at 9:30 a.m. Sunday will discuss the history of Poland schools, particularly Union Elementary and the middle school.
At 9:30 a.m. Nov. 1, Superintendent David Janofa and school board members will present information regarding the bond issue.
For more information, contact Dave Smith at 330-757-8375 or at drsmith320@zoominternet.net.
Man forced to drive
WARREN
A Girard man, 48, said two males forced their way into his car at 5 p.m. Friday when he stopped at a stop sign at the corner of Main Avenue and Third Street Southwest and forced him to drive to Youngstown and back to Warren over a period of more than three hours.
One got in the back seat and the other in the front seat. The male in the front seat hit him in the head with a handgun and ordered him to drive. He got off Interstate 680 at South Avenue and drove another mile or so, making several turns. At a house, the male in the back seat got out and went inside for about 30 minutes, he said.
Then he drove them back to Main Avenue, where they took his cash and cellphone and got out. He went to St. Joseph Warren Hospital for treatment.
Suspected heroin
YOUNGSTOWN
Police arrested two people with suspected heroin Saturday.
Phillip Kindias, 32, of Campbell, was arrested after he was found passed out in a car about 4:40 p.m. Saturday in the 300 block of Kendis Circle. Police found a syringe in the car loaded with a brown liquid and a bag with white powder inside. He was taken into custody on charges of possession of drugs, possession of drug-abuse instruments and possession of drug paraphernalia.
About a half hour earlier, Darres Jackson, 32, of Idlewood Avenue, was arrested on a charge of possession of heroin after he was pulled over for an improper turn about 4:05 p.m. at Market Street and Hylda Avenue. Reports said officers knew Jackson from a prior heroin arrest and he also told police he had a suspended license. When he was searched, police found a bag of suspected heroin in his pocket, reports said.
Meetings planned
WARREN
The Western Reserve Port Authority’s Economic Development Committee will meet at 9 a.m. today in the third floor conference room of Covelli Enterprise, 3900 E. Market St.
The board of directors’ regular monthly meeting will be at 8:30 a.m. Wednesday at the Covelli Centre, 229 E. Front St. in Youngstown.
Safe-driving awareness
SALEM
Ohio Department of Transportation District 11, Ohio State Highway Patrol, Perry Township Police and the Columbiana County Sheriff’s Office are teaming up to promote safe driving awareness.
The safety officials will present a Distracted Driver Simulator between 9 a.m. and 4 p.m. on Thursday and Friday at Walmart, 2875 E. State St. The public is encouraged to attend and test their ability to drive while distracted.
ODOT has seven simulators that are used across the state in high schools, fairs and other public events to remind drivers of the dangers of distracted driving, including texting and cellphone use. In 2013, Ohio law enforcement agencies reported 62 deaths, 762 serious injuries and 17,594 crashes attributed to distracted driving.
Family Halloween Bash
YOUNGSTOWN
Mill Creek MetroParks will host the Family Halloween Bash at Lanterman’s Mill from 3:30 to 6 p.m. Saturday.
Admission is $3 for Mahoning County residents, $5 for nonresidents if registered and paid by Wednesday. Admission for walk-ins is $5 for residents and $7 for nonresidents.
The event features music and dancing with Diva Productions, food, games, a costume competition and more.
For more information or to register, call Ford Nature Center at 330-740-7107 or visit www.millcreekmetroparks.org.
Special meeting
WARREN
The Warren school board will have a special meeting at 6 p.m. today in the Upton board room at the administration building, 105 High St. NE.