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Forum will ask judge to void 2 labor contracts

July 2nd, 2009 8:50 p.m.

YOUNGSTOWN — One day after agreeing to a concessionary contract with one of its unions, Forum Health announced that it would ask a federal judge to void two of its labor agreements.

Forum Health’s board of trustees has rejected a proposed labor agreement with nurses at Northside Medical Center and members of the Service Employees International Union which would have saved the hospital system more than $4.4 million, officials said.

According to a news release issued by the hospital Thursday evening, the board turned down the proposal after trustees decided the contract wasn’t in the best interest of the hospital’s long-term financial plan.

For more on this story, see Friday’s Vindicator or Vindy.com

Trumbull County Fair reschedules races because of rain

July 2nd, 2009 6:20 p.m.

Video: Trumbull County Fair Rain

Does it always rain at the Trumbull County Fair? Several fairgoers offer their opinions.

• Watch »

BAZETTA — The wet weather this week has caused three of the four auto racing events scheduled for Wednesday and Thursday at the Trumbull County Fair to be rescheduled for Sunday and a fourth event to be canceled.

The Late-Crate and E-Mod races set for Wednesday night have been rescheduled for 4 p.m. Sunday.

The B.R.P. Modified races set for Thursday have been canceled, and the stock car races set for Thursday have been rescheduled for 4 p.m. Sunday.

Brenda Richman, fair board financial secretary, said the three rescheduled events for Sunday will take place in a mixed way, with some of each being run for about three hours until the start of the demolition derby at 7 p.m.

Fireworks will take place at the conclusion of the demolition derby, at around 9:45 p.m.

The schedule for Friday and Saturday nights has not been altered.

Woman gets 10-year prison term for her role in 2008 robbery-homicide

July 2nd, 2009 5:25 p.m.

YOUNGSTOWN — A woman convicted of complicity to a robbery and homicide in 2008 will spend the next 10 years in prison.

Sarah L. Beck, 38, pleaded guilty to complicity to involuntary manslaughter and complicity to aggravated robbery in the shooting death of Demar L. Flores, 18, of Elliot Lane.

Beck initially had been charged with murder and aggravated robbery for which she could have served a life sentence.

Police said the investigation revealed a planned robbery, in which Flores was lured to Beck’s home on Rutledge Drive by someone who called him before Flores was shot multiple times March 17, 2008.

For the complete story, see Friday’s Vindicator and Vindy.com

City buys property to help V&M Star Steel

July 2nd, 2009 5:15 p.m.

YOUNGSTOWN — The city purchased two key pieces of property, and is finalizing deals for two others, needed by V&M Star Steel for a potential major project.

The board of control agreed today to purchase 14.7 acres from Shelly & Sands for $404,800, and 33.5 acres from Norfolk Southern railroad. The board also approved extending a tentative agreement till Monday to purchase 80 acres from Brier Hill Slag Co. for about $3.9 million.

V&M officials are to approve a contract early next week reimbursing the city the money for the Shelly & Sands and the Brier Hill purchases, said Finance Director David Bozanich, a board of control member.

The city won’t close the deals to buy the parcels without the approval of V&M Star, he said.

Also early next week, the city will finalize the purchase 15 acres at the former Dempsey Steel facility for about $360,000 with V&M reimbursing the cost, Bozanich said.

The properties needed by V&M for a potential $970 million expansion project are near its Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard facility.

All of the property is on Youngstown’s North Side or in Girard.

For the complete story, read Friday’s Vindicator or Vindy.com

Hearing held in case of 11-year-old murder suspect

July 2nd, 2009 5:15 p.m.

NEW CASTLE, Pa. – Police questioned an 11-year-old boy about the shooting death of his father’s girlfriend without telling the father.

That’s according to testimony the father, Chris Brown, gave Thursday during a hearing in Lawrence County Common Pleas Court. The hearing had been requested by the boy’s defense counsel in an attempt to suppress statements the boy made during the questioning. If Judge Dominic Motto agrees, a jury in the trial of Jordan Brown, 11, wouldn’t hear the evidence. The boy is accused of the shooting.

For more on this story, see Saturday’s Vindicator or vindy.com

GM waits for judge to make decision

July 2nd, 2009 3:33 p.m.

NEW YORK (AP) — An attorney for General Motors urged a bankruptcy judge Thursday to approve the automaker’s sale plan, saying that the only other alternative would be a liquidation of the company’s assets that would have “horrific” consequences for everyone.

Attorney Harvey Miller said the government appears committed to cutting off funding to GM if the sale is not approved by July 10. Some parties objecting to the sale argued in court that the Obama Administration won’t allow GM to fail.

“Essentially the objectors are asking you to play Russian roulette,” Miller said, adding that ignoring the deadline would put the futures of GM’s employees, retirees, and creditors all at risk.

Closing arguments in the three-day hearing ended early Thursday afternoon. Court was set to resume after a lunch break. It’s not known when Judge Gerber will rule.

GM’s government-backed plan for a quick exit from Chapter 11 protection hinges on the sale of most of its assets to a new entity, allowing the automaker to leave behind many of the costs and liabilities that have made it unprofitable. The Detroit car maker’s June 1 filing for bankruptcy protection was the fourth-largest in U.S. history.

Gov. Ted Strickland defends his slot proposal

July 2nd, 2009 3:30 p.m.

Ohio Governor Ted Strickland (D-Lisbon)

COLUMBUS (AP) — Gov. Ted Strickland continues to defend his gambling proposal as a way to balance the state’s budget and says Ohio is in company with many other states struggling with financial problems.

The Democrat said today that negotiations with legislators continue. He and the Republican-led Senate have been at loggerheads over the proposal that would authorize slots-like video lottery terminals at the state’s seven horse racing tracks.

The plan is estimated to raise $933 million toward the state’s $3.2 billion projected deficit.

Strickland says he told lawmakers that the only other options are cuts or tax increases.

He did not directly rule out authorizing slots with executive order that would not need legislative approval.

Shaq wants to win a ring for the king

July 2nd, 2009 3:18 p.m.

INDEPENDENCE, Ohio (AP) — Shaquille O'Neal has one purpose in Cleveland: bring an NBA title to LeBron James and the Cavaliers.

"My motto is very simple," the 15-time All-Star center said Thursday. "Win a ring for the King."

Acquired in a trade last week with the Phoenix Suns, O'Neal was introduced Thursday by the Cavaliers, who believe he can be their missing piece. The city of Cleveland has been waiting since 1964 for one of its three pro sports franchises to win a championship.

During a 30-minute news conference that was more of a TV talk show featuring Shaq, the 37-year-old star said he just wants to fit in with a Cavaliers team that won 66 regular-season games last season but was eliminated in the Eastern Conference finals by the Orlando Magic.

"We have everybody in place," said O'Neal, who has just one year left under contract but feels he can play three more seasons. "There's no excuses. We've just have to get it done."

Two charged in throwing rocks at cars

July 2nd, 2009 2:50 p.m.

CINCINNATI (AP) — A Cincinnati man and a teenager have been charged with felonious assault, accused of throwing rocks at cars on a main thoroughfare.

One rock struck a struck a taxi and seriously injured a passenger. The woman, 23-year-old Joyce Baresel of Batavia, suffered multiple skull fractures and nerve damage when she was hit by a baseball-sized rock June 14. She spent six days in a hospital.

Joseph Burdine, 18, surrendered Wednesday night after police issued a warrant for his arrest. A court appearance was scheduled for today.

A 16-year-old boy is detained without bond at the juvenile detention center pending a July 13 hearing at which prosecutors plan to ask to move the case to adult court.

Ideal weather predicted for July 4th weekend

July 2nd, 2009 2:40 p.m.

YOUNGSTOWN — The Fourth of July weekend weather can be described in one word: Ideal.

“It’s looking good,” said Karen Oudeman, a meteorologist with the National Weather Service in Cleveland.

Don’t worry about rain or low temperatures when you’re out watching or marching in a parade, enjoying a cookout or watching legal [as well as illegal] fireworks displays this weekend.

There’s a 30 percent chance of showers Friday morning with a high in the mid-70s later in the day.

On Saturday, “things will be really good,” Oudeman said. “You’ll start to see the sun again.”

The forecast for Saturday calls for a high in the mid-70s and no chance of rain.

The forecast is identical for Sunday.

For the complete story, read Friday’s Vindicator or Vindy.com