Poland teacher dies

Poland teacher dies

POLAND

Poland Local Schools confirmed Friday that beloved, longtime high school teacher Suzanne Van Meter has died.

“She was such a big part of our Poland family. We’re just devastated by the shock of all of a sudden not having one of our family members here,” said Superintendent David Janofa. “She’s had decades of impact on many students and staff members.”

School officials said they were notified Friday morning of Van Meter’s death but did not know how she died.

Van Meter graduated from Poland in 1962 and returned to the district as an English teacher in 1973, according to Vindicator files. Van Meter recently had retired from the English department but returned to teach French.

“We’ve lost a stalwart in our education community, the Poland community itself, and certainly our thoughts and prayers are with the family,” Janofa said.

Drug charges

BOARDMAN

Township police arrested Michael Varchulik, 48, of Campbell on Thursday after responding to a report of a suspicious man in the South Avenue GetGo parking lot.

Police reported seeing a needle and spoon in the back seat of Varchulik’s vehicle. They also reported finding a used needle and burnt spoon with suspected drug residue in the vehicle after searching it.

He was issued a summons to appear in Mahoning County Area Court here next week on charges of possessing drug-abuse instruments and illegal use or possession of drug paraphernalia.

Sojourner vigil

YOUNGSTOWN

Sojourner House will host its annual candlelight vigil honoring domestic-violence victims at noon Monday at First Presbyterian Church, 201 Wick Ave.

The theme of this year’s event is “Remember My Name.” Featured speakers are a domestic-violence survivor, Mahoning County Sheriff Jerry Greene, Guy Burney of the Community Initiative to Reduce Violence and Vindicator editor Todd Franko.

Sojourner House Domestic Violence Shelter, a program of COMPASS Family & Community Services, is an emergency shelter for people escaping abusive environments.

Recycling grant

YOUNGSTOWN

U.S. Rep. Tim Ryan announced a $22,910 U.S. Department of Agriculture grant to help finance Mahoning County Solid Waste Management District’s Rural Recycling Education & Awareness Program, which promotes and assists the recycling efforts in the county’s rural areas.

“I am encouraged to see state and local governments like Mahoning County continuing to lead the charge on sustainability education,” Ryan, of Howland, D-13th, said Friday. “This funding will give rural Mahoning County an important boost and represents a crucial federal investment.”

Park roads to close

YOUNGSTOWN

The following roads in Mill Creek Park will be closed to vehicles, pedestrians and cyclists from about 7 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday for the Out of Darkness Suicide Prevention Walk: Bears Den, Cross and West drives.

Nonteaching jobs

AUSTINTOWN

Austintown Local Schools will host a job fair for nonteaching positions from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. Oct. 9 at Austintown Early Learning Center, 4211 Evelyn Road.

The school district seeks candidates for food service substitutes, sweeper cleaners, bus drivers and all other nonteaching substitute positions.