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Hiring Lists Will Be Used For Last Time Story from David Skolnick in the Youngstown Vindicator on 01/05/2010. The city has used the two lists for several years. YOUNGSTOWN — The city will use two lists — one for white men, and one for minorities and females — to hire new employees for the last time. The city has used the two lists to hire firefighters and police officers for several years. But a federal court ruling declaring the use of two lists by Shreveport, La., to be unconstitutional means Youngstown must do away with its lists. Typically, Youngstown hired one minority and/or female for every two white men it hired for jobs with its police and fire departments as long as the applicants met all the requirements, said Mayor Jay Williams and Fire Chief John J. O’Neill Jr. “We have a hiring pool that reflects the diversity of the community,” Williams said. Using the two lists “allowed us to achieve a diverse work force.” On Wednesday, Williams is sponsoring an ordinance for city council’s consideration that would allow the fire department to hire nine to 11 firefighters from the two lists for the last time. As for how many minorities and/or women would be hired, Williams said it could be one hire from that list for every two or three white male hires. “All are qualified, and we’ll do this in a constitutional method,” he said. “We want to maintain our high standard of employees and give consideration to all applicants.” The new policy wouldn’t rank those who passed the firefighter written test — applicants also must pass a physical-agility test — by the top scores, Williams said. “As long as there’s not a separation [of lists], there’s no issue,” he said. The old policy ranked potential employees by the top written score, as long as they also passed the agility test. Those in the top 10 could be selected for the jobs. But Youngstown also had the second list, permissible under Ohio law. That section refers to “the waiver of laws to avoid federally prohibited discrimination.” It reads: “The waiver, passed as an ordinance by city council, permits the legislative authority of a municipality to suspend or alter the appointment rules for minority hiring.” Williams is working with the city’s civil-service commission to make other changes to the written test for firefighters and police officers. Those wanting to be firefighters or police officers currently need a score of at least 70 on the written test. That could be raised by five to seven points for future tests, Williams said. (Firefighters also need to pass the physical agility test, which includes climbing a firefighter’s ladder, dragging a hose and simulating what to do during a fire. Police officers don’t need to pass a physical test.) The new policy can’t go into place for the firefighter hirings because that test was given in June. Of the 185 applicants, 78 passed. Of those who passed, the top minority finished 51st, O’Neill said. The city’s current policy doesn’t sit well with Nate Janoviak of Newberry in Geauga County, who finished 43rd. “I may have a decent chance for this time or perhaps the next round, but I’m getting knocked out by someone who did worse than me,” Janoviak said. “My test wasn’t different than anyone else. It’s reverse discrimination. The city is saying that they have enough white people” on the fire department. When asked about charges of “reverse discrimination,” O’Neill said, “I don’t want to get caught in the middle of that.” Williams said he doesn’t agree with the allegation, saying it’s important for the city to have a diverse work force. skolnick@vindy.com

Youngstown Council Wants More Info On How Firefighters, Cops Are Hired Story from Youngstown Vindicator on 01/06/2010. YOUNGSTOWN — City council members want more information on a proposed policy change as to how city hires firefighters and police officers before approving it. For several years the city used two lists ­ — one for white men, and one for minorities and females — to hire firefighters and police officers. The city’s policy was to hire one minority and/or woman for every two white men it hired for those two departments. Because of a federal court decision declaring the use of two lists by Shreveport, La., to be unconstitutional, Youngstown needs to get rid of its separate lists, Mayor Jay Williams said. The mayor wants the city to have one list of every person who passes tests given for those jobs and eliminate ranking them by the top written scores on the exams. Council members are agreeable, but said tonight that they want to discuss the issue further with the city’s law department before approving Williams’ proposal. Council members said they’re concerned about lawsuits being filed by those adversely impacted by the policy change.

City Council Stands Firm On Two Firefighter Lists Story from Youngstown Vindicator on 01/25/2010. YOUNGSTOWN — City council doesn’t support a change, recommended by the city administration, to the long-standing policy on hiring firefighters — at least for now. Six of council’s seven members discussed the proposed change at a council safety committee meeting today. They agreed not to change it, and to study the options further. Mayor Jay Williams wants to eliminate the policy of two lists — one for white men and one for minorities and females — to hire firefighters and police officers. Law Director Iris Torres Guglucello said she recently discovered a 2006 federal-appeals-court decision declaring the use of two lists by Shreveport, La., to be unconstitutional. If the city doesn’t change the policy to get rid of the two lists “we very well may be sued,” Williams said. There’s also the possibility of a lawsuit if the policy is change, he said.

Youngstown Family Escapes Fire Story from WKBN TV27 Web Site on 01/31/2010. Photo from the WKBN TV27 Web Site. A South Side family was forced from their home Saturday after flames began shooting through the roof of their house. Firefighters were called to 251 Gaither Avenue just before Noon. When they arrived, smoke was coming from the roof of the home. The people living there made it out okay. The fire was contained to the attic and upper part of the home. No word yet on a cause.

Policy On Hiring In Youngstown Police And Fire Departments Remains Story from David Skolnick in the Youngstown Vindicator on 02/04/2010. YOUNGSTOWN — Despite concerns by the mayor about lawsuits if Youngstown doesn’t change its policy on hiring firefighters, city council voted to maintain the status quo. “I wanted a change to minimize the potential for litigation,” Mayor Jay Williams said Wednesday. Williams wants to eliminate the policy of two lists — one for white men and one for minorities and females — to hire firefighters and police officers. The city typically hires one minority and/or female for every two white men it hires for jobs in its police and fire departments. Minorities and women do not typically score as high on written tests to be firefighters and police officers as white men, Williams said. Just because they usually don’t score as high as white men, the minorities and women hired by the city are highly qualified to do those jobs, and it’s important to have diversity on the city’s fire department and police force, Williams said. Council made it clear at a Jan. 25 safety committee meeting that it didn’t support changing the longstanding policy for now. Council members backed up their previous statements with a unanimous 7-0 vote Wednesday to hire nine firefighters using the two lists. Williams said he is concerned about a lawsuit because a federal-appeals-court decision declared the use of two lists by Shreveport, La., to be unconstitutional. The use of two lists in that city is similar to what is used in Youngstown, he said. The mayor wanted to temporarily change the policy to put everyone who passed the test on one list and still hire qualified minorities. He proposed studying the matter further to come up with a permanent solution. The Shreveport decision was in a federal court district that doesn’t have Youngstown in its jurisdiction. Two lists are permissible under Ohio law. Council members agree that the hiring policy for firefighters and police officers needs to be re-examined. But they said there’s no rush. “We need to form a commission to work on this issue and get it right,” said Councilwoman Annie Gillam, D-1st. Fire Chief John O’Neill said the city will hire six white men and three minority males no later than Feb. 13. Three women passed the written civil service test to be a firefighter, but all failed the physical agility test. The current policy ranks potential employees by the top written score, as long as they also pass an agility test. Those in the top 10 are at the top of the list in being offered the firefighter jobs, which have a starting annual base salary of $24,000. Those taking the written test needed a score of at least 70 to pass. Also Wednesday, council approved a three-year contract with its police patrol officers union. The contract includes a salary freeze in annual base pay, and restructuring the salaries of future hires. skolnick@vindy.com

Fire Officials Requesting That Residents Keep Hydrants Clear Story from WFMJ TV21 Web Site on 02/09/2010. Photo courtesy of Mark Memmer. YOUNGSTOWN, Ohio- Fire officials are asking residents to keep fire fire hydrants in front of their houses cleaned off following the weekend's winter blast. Youngstown's fire chief said crews will be out all day on Monday clearing hydrants around the city. While there is no law or ordinance that requires residents to keep hydrants clear, but the department is requesting that residents and plow operators not keep hydrants buried.

From Horses To Motors, Fire Station Still Stands Story from WYTV Channel 33 Web Site on 02/09/2010. YFD Station 7 - 1940's. Photo from the Annette Wingerter Family collection. The area's oldest fire station is now owned by a private investor. Developer Dominic Marchiondo recently bought Youngstown's Station 7 at the corner of Madison and Elm on the North Side. Several years down the road it'll be vacated. Marchiondo plans on converting it to maybe a restaurant or coffee shop. But for now, it's still a fire station, just like it has been for over a hundred years. You'll find all the modern conveniences at Youngstown's Station 7. A motorized truck, electric lights, even a PA system. But scattered among the amenities are a cornerstone that reads 1903, and the remnants of an old wooden floor. The ceiling's original. And when one of the pipes is shaken, oats come out, left over from horses that once lived there, too. "They would take the harnesses off and the harnesses, they would pull them up and the horses would just walk around," said Capt. Ron Myers. "And when the bell would hit, the horses would run right underneath the harness, they would drop the harnesses down on the horses and away they go." Myers has spent most of his 34 years as a fireman at Station 7, hands down the area's oldest still in operation. It's the fourth oldest in all of Ohio and the 33rd oldest in the nation. The horses were gone by 1914, at which time the building had a third floor. By the 1940s, it was deemed unsafe and removed. Walking through the second floor living quarters, one can only imagine the people who've manned the station. Some still make occasional appearances. "Myself, I've heard what sounds like channels changing on the TV at night time or someone just making creaking noises walking around," said Firefighter Kenny Johnson. For a long time, Station 7 doubled as a social center. It had the neighborhood's first TV, which everyone came to watch. Rayen High School's rifle team even used the basement for target practice. And, yes, there's a fire pole there, something you'd never find in a modern station. And yes, they still use it. But the neighborhood is modernizing. The old homes have been replaced by an apartment complex to house Youngstown State University students. Eventually the station will likely close, and that will be a sad day. "Oh God, yeah, yeah, 110 years already," said Myers. "It's sad now. I have to retire next year. I'm going to hate leaving." But leave they will. Someday Youngtown's Station 7 may be reduced to serving burgers and beers.

Man Arrested In North Side Arson Story from Bill Rodgers in the Warren Tribune Chronicle on 02/13/2010. YOUNGSTOWN - Fire investigators have a suspect in one arson on the North Side. Steven Demidovich, 52, 277 Park Ave. Apt. 1, was arrested by Youngstown police 9 p.m. Thursday at his residence. He was arraigned on the fourth-degree felony charge Friday morning in the court of Youngstown Municipal Court Judge Elizabeth Kobly. According to arson investigator Capt. Alvin Ware, Demidovich is accused of burning down a home on 259 Park Ave., which was an abandoned historic stone mansion bordering Youngstown's Wick Park. Demidovich lived just down the street from the mansion which burned Oct. 20, according to Ware. Ware said the investigation into that fire and the fires of two other abandoned homes on Pennsylvania Avenue - which are near the burned Park Avenue mansion - are still under investigation. A fraternity house on Pennsylvania was damaged in one of the fires. Ware would not comment on details of the case. Bond for Demidovich is set at $50,000 cash or surety bond. His preliminary hearing will be 9:45 a.m. Feb. 19. brodgers@tribtoday.com

Youngstown Man Sues City For Injuries In Fire Truck Crash Story from Youngstown Vindicator on 02/19/2010. YOUNGSTOWN — A South Side man is suing the city and one of its firefighters for $1,900 in medical bills he said he incurred after a fire engine making a left turn en route to an emergency hit his car. Beondre L. Kimbrough Jr., of East Avondale Avenue, said in his lawsuit that he was westbound on Philadelphia Avenue and stopped at Cottage Grove Avenue on Sept. 11, 2008, when his car was struck by the fire truck driven by Eugene J. Cook Jr., who negligently caused the crash. The suit, which demands a jury trial, was filed in Mahoning County Common Pleas Court and assigned to Judge John M. Durkin. City Law Director Iris Torres Guglucello declined to comment on the lawsuit.

City Firefighters To Be Honored Tonight Story from Youngstown Vindicator on 02/19/2010. YOUNGSTOWN — Fire department officials will take time out tonight to honor firefighters who are retiring from the department and others who have gone above and beyond the call of duty. The 23rd annual Youngstown Professional Firefighters Retirement and Awards Dinner will be at 8 p.m. at the Our Lady of Mount Carmel Hall, 343 Via Mount Carmel. Nine firefighters will receive various awards. There are 11 firefighters retiring from the department. Nine of those chose to participate in the last round of buyouts offered by the department. The firefighters have a combined 313 years of experience. Several other firefighters will be honored for their efforts to use extrication tools to remove people involved in vehicular accidents. The Youngstown Fire Department Honor Guard will initiate the opening ceremony with the presentation of colors and bagpipes. U.S. Rep. Tim Ryan of Niles, D-17th, will be the keynote speaker

Grand Jury To Get Arson Case Story from Bill Rodgers in the Warren Tribune Chronicle on 02/20/2010. Photo credit:Tribune Chronicle / Bill Rodgers Steven Demidovich, right, appeared Friday in Youngsotwn Municipal Court with his attorney Mark C. Cervello. YOUNGSTOWN - A grand jury will hear the case of a Youngstown man accused of burning down a mansion in October. Steven Demidovich, 52, 277 Park Ave. Apt. 1, and his attorney Mark C. Cervello, waived Demidovich's preliminary hearing Friday in Municipal Court. The case now will be sent to a Mahoning County grand jury, which will decide whether to hand up an indictment on the charge. According to Youngs-town arson investigator Capt. Alvin Ware, Demidovich is accused of burning down a home at 259 Park Ave. - an abandoned historic stone mansion bordering Wick Park. Demidovich lived just down the street from the home when it burned Oct. 20, according to Ware. Ware said the investigation into that fire and the fires of two other abandoned homes on Pennsylvania Avenue - which are near the burned Park Avenue mansion - are still under investigation. Ware had no further comment following Friday's hearing. Bond for Demidovich was set at $50,000 cash or surety. brodgers@tribtoday.com

Fire Damages Vacant Commercial Building Story from WKBN TV27 Web Site on 03/04/2010. Photo from the WKBN TV27 Web Site. A fire caused some damage at a vacant commercial building at 1453 Elm St. in Youngstown Thursday. The blaze was reported about 4:30 p.m., and when firefighters arrived, they found heavy smoke in the area causing low visibility. While they don't yet have a cause, firefighters said the building has been vacant for years, and entrances were not secured. While fighting the blaze, two firefighters fell through the floor of the building but were not injured. An arson investigator is looking in to an exact cause. Damages total about $1,000.

Youngstown Man Faces Arson, Burglary Charges Story from WFMJ TV21 Web Site on 03/07/2010. YOUNGSTOWN, Ohio- A Youngstown man was in court Friday on allegations of arson. Christopher Marko, 34, is accused of setting fire to the home of Mr. and Mrs. Robert Edwards. The fire caused more than $100,000 worth of damage to the house. Marko is also accused of breaking into a residence on Brockway Avenue on the same night as the fire, allegedly stealing prescription pills. Police said blood left behind at the scene of the robbery belongs to Marko.

Become A Fan Of Youngstownfire.com On Facebook Story by Greg Ricker, youngstownfire.com Webmaster on 03/09/2010. The youngstownfire.com web site now has a page on Facebook. Become a friend today! Search for youngstownfire.com or use the following link http://www.facebook.com/pages/youngstownfirecom/332269195574?ref=ts.

Smoke Clears Out Powers Auditorium Story from WKBN TV27 Web Site on 03/10/2010. Photo credit: WKBN TV27 Web Site. There was quite a scare Wednesday morning at a downtown Youngstown landmark. Powers Auditorium at the Deyor Performing Arts Center was evacuated when employees smelled smoke in the building. The Youngstown Fire Department was called out around 10 a.m., and they traced the smoke to an electrical fire in the basement of the building. The department was able to extinguish the flames quickly. "They had quite a bit of smoke in the building. It ended up being a heater motor down in the basement. It had ceased up, and it got in through vent system. It caused quite a bit of smoke, so we got it under control. We're going to vent the building out, keep an eye on it a little bit, and we'll be okay," said Youngstown Fire Chief John O'Neill. The chief said that there should be no permanent smoke damage to Powers. Employees are already back inside the building, and all planned events are going on as scheduled.

Overheated Motor Causes Smoke To Rise From DeYor Center Story from Youngstown Vindicator on 03/10/2010. YOUNGSTOWN — The exhaust fan motor in a basement rest room at DeYor Performing Arts Center, 260 W. Federal St., filled the building with smoke overnight, but caused little damage. The smoke was discovered by Terence Fetchet, assistant stage/facilities manager, when he came to work this morning. There was no fire, and center officials said performances will not be affected. Youngstown firefighters were called to the scene at 10 a.m. and when they did not immediately discover the source of the smoke, called additional units to the scene. Exhaust fans were used to clear the smoke, which Fetchet said was heavy in the basement but much lighter in the stage area. A fire department battalion chief estimated damage at $300 to repair or replace the defective motor.

Firefighters Called To Powers Story from Warren Tribune Chronicle on 03/10/2010. YOUNGSTOWN -- An air exchanger at Powers Auditorium that overheated had city firefighters responding to the downtown landmark about 10 a.m. today. A fire department spokesman said crews dealt with smoke only and no fire. The exchanger was in the basement of the auditorium. There were no injuries. A damage estimate was unavailable.

2-Alarms Struck For Powers Auditorium Incident Story by Greg Ricker, youngstownfire.com Webmaster on 03/10/2010. Youngstown Firefighters were called to Powers Auditorium and the DeYor Performing Arts center just before 10am on Wednesday, March 10th, 2010. Dispatchers for the Youngstown Fire Department received a call for smoke in the building at one of Youngstown's most well known landmarks at 260 W. Federal Street. With some units out of service for training, Engines 7, 9 and 15, Squad 33, Ladder 24 and Battalions 1 and 2 responded on the initial alarm. Squad 33 was in quarters just a couple buildings away and was the first unit to arrive on the scene. Crews tried unsuccessfully to locate the source of the smoke. Battalion 1 arrived a few minutes later and at 10:03am, requested a second alarm be struck for the fire. Companies which would out for training were quickly placed back in service and Engines 2, 3 and 6 and Ladder 22 were dispatched. Fire Control also responded to the scene. Ladder 22 took up position in front of Powers while Ladder 24 took up position in the rear of the structure. Both companies assisted with ventilation and interior crews were finally able to locate a burnt up exhaust fan motor in the basement. At 10:26am all of the first and second alarm companies were put back in service with the exception of Engine 7, Squad 33, and Ladder 24 which remained on scene to continue to ventilate the structure.

Two Youngstown Firefighers Get Promoted Thursday Story from Youngstown Vindicator on 03/16/2010. YOUNGSTOWN — Fire Chief John O’Neill will administer the oath to two firefighters who will be promoted to the rank of lieutenant at a ceremony at 8:30 a.m. Thursday at Fire Station No. 1 downtown. Those being promoted are Paul Morales, a 13-year veteran, and Eli Santiago, a 24-year veteran.

Firefighters Investigate Smoke Call In A Commercial Building Story by Greg Ricker, youngstownfire.com Webmaster on 03/18/2010. Photo by Greg Ricker, webmaster of youngstownfire.com. Youngstown firefighters were called to West Side Ice Cream at Mahoning and Matta on the upper West Side on Thursday evening March 18th. The call was dispatched as a possible electrical fire at the business. Engines 15, 3, 7, Squad 33, Ladder 22 and Battalions 1 and 2 responded. E15 arrived on scene and reported light smoke in the building and began trying to determine the cause of the smoke. Battalion 1 arrived on scene and placed Engine 7 and Battalion 2 back in service before they arrived on scene. Crews set up a ladder and, using a thermal imaging camera, checked several of the roof units. All remaining companies cleared a short time later.

Man Indicted For Youngstown Arson Story from WFMJ TV21 Web Site on 03/18/2010. Photo from the WKBN TV27 Web Site. A man charged with setting a fire on Youngstown's North Side has been indicted by the Mahoning County Grand Jury. Steven Demidovich, 52, was arrested in February for arson, accused of setting fire to a historic stone mansion at 259 Park Ave. The home was empty at the time of the blaze. Demidovich remains behind bars.

Man Indicted In North Side Arson Story from Youngstown Vindicator on 03/18/2010. The Mahoning County grand jury has indicted a 52-year-old North Side man on an arson charge in an Oct. 20 fire that destroyed a vacant 1900-vintage stone mansion at 259 Park Ave. Steven Demidovich, of 277 Park Ave., was indicted Thursday on the fourth degree felony charge, and faces a potential six to 18-month prison sentence if he’s convicted. The house, which had been on the south side of Wick Park, collapsed as firefighters battled the 4:51 a.m. blaze. The loss was estimated at $75,000. There were no injures. The blaze was one of a series of North Side arson fires last October.

Crash Sends Two Adults And Two Children To The Hospital Story from WFMJ TV21 Web Site on 03/21/2010. Photo from the WFMJ TV21 Web Site. YOUNGSTOWN, Ohio - A rollover crash Saturday morning sent two adults and two children to the hospital. A Nissan Altima flipped over while going east bound on the Himrod Avenue Expressway shortly after 10:00 a.m. The victims were taken to St. Elizabeth's hospital where their names and conditions are unknown at this time. Himrod Avenue was shut down for about an hour. Youngstown police are continuing to investigate the cause of that crash.

Man Killed By Gunshot Had Been Firefighter Story from John W. Goodwin, JR. in the Youngstown Vindicator on 03/23/2010. Police are trying to determine how a man who once served the city as a firefighter was shot in the head and left for dead in his home. Eddie Wooldridge, 53, was found at 64 Livingston St. at 9:37 p.m. Saturday. Wooldridge was on the living-room floor with labored breathing and was unresponsive. Police noted an apparent gunshot wound to the side of his head. Wooldridge was taken to St. Elizabeth Health Center’s Youngstown campus. He died at 10 a.m. Sunday. Fire Chief John O’Neill remembers spending a lot of time with Wooldridge at the now-closed fire station on Market Street more than 20 years ago. Wooldridge served five years with the department in the late 1980s and early 1990s. According to fire department files, Wooldridge was hired into the department in June 1986. He retired with a disability in 1991. O’Neill remembers Wooldridge as funny, strong and fearless on the job. He said that as a young firefighter, he thought he would be working with Wooldridge in the department for years to come, but an accident changed that. O’Neill said Wooldridge fell off a firetruck and badly injured his arm in 1991. He said the arm was treated but did not regain the strength or range of motion needed to perform certain tasks within the department, so Wooldridge was placed on disability. “What happened with him was pretty tragic because he was a pretty good firefighter. He had a lot of potential; he really did,” said O’Neill. “You could tell he really enjoyed the job.” O’Neill said he had lost touch with Wooldridge over the years but remembers him as a good man. Police are looking for the person responsible for Wooldridge’s death. Police said a witness who was staying at the house took a test that would show if he had gunshot residue on his hands. The man has not been labeled a suspect.

Arson Suspected In Latest Youngstown Fire Story from WKBN TV27 Web Site on 03/24/2010. Youngstown firefighters were busy Wednesday morning battling a suspected arson on the city's south side. Crews were called around 3:30 a.m. to a vacant home on Princeton Avenue. They said when they arrived, they found a gas can on fire outside the house. No injuries were reported.

Heaters May Have Caused House Fire Story from Warren Tribune Chronicle on 03/25/2010. YOUNGSTOWN - Fire reports state portable heaters may be to blame for a fire at a 40 Linden Ave. home about 1:15 p.m. Tuesday. Crews found heavy smoke and fire when they arrived and heavy damage throughout the home. Several portable heaters were found in the home, because the owners said their furnace was broken. The fire is believed to have started in a first-floor bathroom, where one of the portable heaters was found. Damage is listed at $16,000. There were no injuries. Fire reports state the cause is still under investigation.

Gas Can Found At South Side Blaze Story from Warren Tribune Chronicle on 03/25/2010. YOUNGSTOWN - A gas can was found burning in the street across from a 415 W. Princeton Ave. home about 3:40 a.m. Wednesday. Fire reports state crews found a fire in the front of the home when they arrived, and firefighters managed to put the fire out in the first and second floors, although there was heavy damage. Firefighters also noted a suspicious car in the area. Damage is listed at $18,000, and the cause is listed as arson. No one was injured.

Goodlet Brother Ties The Knot. Story by Greg Ricker, youngstownfire.com Webmaster on 03/27/2010. Off-duty Youngstown Firefighter Jeff Goodlet received a little assistance from his coworkers during a recent stop at the firehouse. While taking a quick trip in the bucket of the ladder, crew members at Jeff's station brought out a banner with "will you marry me" as Jeff proposed to his girlfriend Lauren Caris, a student at Kent State. Congratulations Jeff and Lauren!

Police, Firefighers Sent To Ryan’s Office Story from The Business Journal on 04/01/2010. YOUNGSTOWN, Ohio -- The Youngstown Police and Fire departments responded this morning to investigate what was called a “suspicious package” at the downtown office of U.S. Rep. Tim Ryan. According to a police report, a “suspicious piece of mail” without a return address was delivered by regular mail at approximately 10:15 a.m. Bomb squad officers were sent to the scene to investigate the manila envelope, which was marked “critical information highly confidential.” A scan by the squad’s X-ray machine determined that the envelope contained political correspondence. Battalion Chief Terrence Jordan said that one fire truck was dispatched to investigate the mailing. The Youngstown Business Incubator building, where Ryan’s Youngstown office is located, was not evacuated, he said. As a safety precaution, the area was briefly blocked off from general traffic, police said. On Wednesday, Ryan, D-17 Ohio, said that he and members of his staff have received death threats, including a threat to blow up the downtown Warren building where he has his district office. Several Democratic members of Congress have reported they have received threats following Congress’ approval of health insurance reform. On Tuesday, Ryan canceled a planned forum at the Youngstown Community Health Center when a dozen members of the so-called Tea Party movement showed up to protest. The congressman cited security concerns and disruptions to clinic operations in canceling the event, and he said he planned to reschedule the event next week at a more appropriate location.

Youngstown Building Collapses Into Street After Fire Story from WKBN TV27 Web Site on 04/03/2010. Photo from the WKBN TV27 Web Site. Fire investigators are looking into an arson at a vacant building that ended up collapsing Friday morning in Youngstown. The fire broke out at a building on Hillman Street around 3:30 a.m. Friday. Hillman was blocked off to traffic because of a wall leaning into the street. Friday afternoon, the street department was working to tear the remainder of the building down.

Firefighters Kept Busy On Friday Morning Story from Warren Tribune Chronicle on 04/03/2010. YOUNGSTOWN - City firefighters were kept busy early Friday morning with two fires. At 3:30 a.m., crews were called to a vacant commercial building at Hillman and Sherwood avenues on the South Side that was fully engulfed in flames when they arrived. The building is a total loss, fire reports state. Damage was listed at $20,000. At 1614 Hartzell Ave., crews called just before 5 a.m. found a heavy fire going in a two-story home. Reports state it appears the fire started in the kitchen. Damage is listed at $10,000. Reports state both blazes are under investigation. There were no injuries.

Fire On Youngstown's East Side Destroys House Story from WKBN TV27 Web Site on 04/04/2010. The Youngstown Fire Department spent late Saturday night at a house fire on the city's east side. Shortly before 10:30 p.m. flames broke out from the house on the corner of Himrod Avenue and Oak Street. The structure was fully engulfed when crews arrived. Witnesses on the scene said no one lived inside. No cause for the fire has yet been determined.

Early Morning Fire Threatens Nearby House Story from WYTV Channel 33 Web Site on 04/05/2010. Smoke filled the city skyline Monday morning. Youngstown fire crews were called to a vacant house fire just after 6 a.m. on Williamson Avenue near Erie. Fire officials let the two story structure burn to the ground, while dowsing a neighbor's house with water. No one was injured. No word on the cause of the fire.

Blaze Destroys South Side Home, Cause Suspicious Story from WYTV Channel 33 Web Site on 04/16/2010. A cause is pending on a fire that destroyed an Earle Avenue house in Youngstown Thursday afternoon, but firefighters believe it wasn't accidental. Crews were called just before 3:30 p.m., and by the time they arrived two minutes later, the front and side of the home was engulfed up to the attic. They believe the blaze started near the front door. Firefighters said when they arrived, the blaze was so large they considered letting the fire burn itself out. But neighbors told firefighters they believed there were people inside the home, and crews took an aggressive approach to extinguish it, officials said. The homeowners claim they weren't in the home when the fire started, said firefighters. The house was valued at only about $7,000 but was totaled by the blaze. The fire remains under investigation.

Three Firefighters Injured On South Side Story from WFMJ TV21 Web Site on 04/28/2010. Photo from the WFMJ TV21 Web Site. YOUNGSTOWN, Ohio- Three firefighters were injured Tuesday fighting a fire on the city's south side. A vacant house on Ellenwood was completely engulfed when crews arrived at around 6 p.m. Two of the firefighters were treated on the scene for minor injuries and a third was hospitalized for exhaustion. Two houses near the fire were also damaged. The cause of the fire has not been determined, but officials said it does appear to be suspicious.

Youngstown Officials Concerned With Vacant Home Fires Story from WKBN TV27 Web Site on 04/28/2010. Photo from the WKBN TV27 Web Site. Vacant homes continue to plague the city of Youngstown. Two separate fires have destroyed three vacant structures and damaged an occupied house in just the past 24 hours. The first fire happened about 5:30 p.m. Tuesday on the South Side's Ellenwood Avenue. The home was engulfed when firefighters arrived, and another vacant house next door was severely damaged along with an occupied home down the block. One firefighter went to the hospital for exposure and heat exhaustion. Two others were treated at the scene. Another home at the corner of Armstrong and Lyden avenues on the city's East Side was also engulfed when firefighters arrived about 2:30 a.m. Wednesday. But the fires have raised concern over the amount of vacant structures throughout the city. Many houses have sat empty for 10 years or more, and the process to get them demolished is a long one that frustrates council members. "I'm disappointed, and I'm not happy with it," said Councilwoman Janet Tarpley. "I'm hoping that we will come to some type of agreement with the process. We have met with our demolition department. As a matter of fact, I just met with some people yesterday about this matter."

Fire Damages Graffiti-Covered Building On Midlothian Story from WKBN TV27 Web Site on 04/29/2010. A building covered with graffiti on Midlothian Boulevard in Youngstown caught fire Thursday night, closing westbound traffic for a short time while firefighters battled the smokey fire. The building is owned by Jamie Ludt, who has painted a number of protest messages on the building over the years. Firefighters said both the front and rear of the building were damaged by fire. Investigators are trying to determine if there were two separate fires or if the blaze at the front extended to the rear. The state fire marshal's office was called to investigate the cause, which could be suspicious.

Fire At Midlothian Building Ruled An Arson Story from WKBN TV27 Web Site on 05/01/2010. Photo and video credit: WKBN TV27 Web Site. State Fire Marshal investigators have ruled the Thursday night fire at a Midlothian Boulevard in Youngstown building an arson. The graffiti-covered building caught fire just before 8 p.m. Thursday, closing westbound traffic for a short time while firefighters battled the smokey fire. The building is owned by Jamie Ludt, who has painted a number of protest messages on the building over the years. State Fire Marshal's officials said the commercial structure was being used for storage and that there were no utilities to the building. Investigators found multiple points of origin with the fire, said investigators. The fire was contained to each area of origin, but the building suffered heat and smoke damage throughout. The fire was discovered by a Youngstown police officer on routine patrol. Investigators are asking anyone with information or who may have noticed anything out of the ordinary around the time of the fire to contact the Division of State Fire Marshal at 1-800-589-2728.

Fire Damages Building In Youngstown Story from Youngstown Vindicator on 05/01/2010. A vacant cement-block building at 1422 Midlothian Blvd. was damaged Thursday night by a fire that the owner, James Ludt of Struthers, believes was caused by arson. State fire marshals were at the scene of the blaze, reported to the Youngstown Fire Department at 8 p.m., said YFD Battalion Chief Tim McGarry. The building is covered with painted phrases critical of Struthers and municipal court officials. McGarry said there were a couple of vehicles and miscellaneous equipment inside the building. Ludt said he purchased the building in 1998 and has never had fire insurance.

Youngstown Fallen Firefighters Memorial Bike Run Story from Facebook.com on 05/04/2010. Date: Saturday, June 26, 2010 Time: 9:00am - 11:00pm Location: Registration/Sign-ups at the Main Firestation Downtown Street: 420 MLK Jr. Blvd. City/Town: Youngstown, OH The 2nd Annual motorcycle run will travel to Portage Lakes, and return to the Army-Navy on Logan Ave. on the Northside. The cost is $15 for rider & $5 for passengers which will include a ride t-shirt, map of the ride route, and a "stop card". Food and Beverages, as well as door prizes will be provided at the Army-Navy upon our return to Yo. ALL are welcome to join us. For more information visit http://www.facebook.com/?ref=logo#!/event.php?eid=104678282909729 or http://www.local312.org

East Side Fire Appears Suspicious Story from WYTV Channel 33 Web Site on 05/04/2010. The Youngstown fire department is investigating a suspicious fire in a vacant home on the city's east side. Crews were called to the corner of East High and Perry street around 2:30 a.m. Tuesday. When they arrived they found the home fully engulfed in flames. They were able to contain the blaze to the structure without spreading. A neighbor next door says she smelled smoke and notified the fire department. We're told the home has been vacant for some time. There's no word on a cause.

Students Sent To Hospital After School Bus Crash Story from WYTV Channel 33 Web Site on 05/07/2010. A group of Howland Springs Primary School kindergarteners never made it to their field trip in Mill Creek park. Around 10 a.m. Friday, their bus was traveling west bound down Indianola Avenue on Youngstown's South Side, while a car was going north on Hillman Street. The two collided at the intersection. Youngstown Police Officer Jimmy Rounds said, "We have yet to determine who had the red light." Ironically, engine two with the Youngstown Fire Department was on its way to training when it came upon the accident. "We just come behind the second bus, the second bus moved and we called for help," Fire Captain Fred DeLuca said. "Got on the bus and started assessing kids and started calling for more help." About 40 students and adults were on the bus at the time of the crash. Ten kids and the drivers of both vehicles were taken to the hospital with minor injuries. "Most of the children were treated for bumps and bruises," Fire Captain Rich Russo said. "There was one that can't remember the accident. He was knocked unconscious. The driver had some neck and back pain and we think she might have fractured her wrist." Several ambulance and fire crews assisted at the scene. Their main focus was calming all the children. "We tell them its OK," DeLuca said. "Everything's going to be OK. We're going to call your parents. After they hear their parents are called they're OK." The students not injured in the crash climbed onto another bus to head back to school. The accident remains under investigation.

Youngstown Apartment Building Catches Fire Story from WKBN TV27 Web Site on 05/11/2010. Apartment complex residents had a frightening wake-up call Tuesday morning in Youngstown. Flames broke out at the building on the corner of Madison and Wick avenues around 3 a.m. Tuesday. Firefighters said the blaze started in the garage. The smoke then spread to the apartments, alerting a tenant who ran downstairs to wake his neighbors. A total of four people were inside the complex. Fortunately, they all made it out safely. No word yet on what caused the fire.

Fire Sparked By Burning Ribs Causes $5,000 Damage To Youngstown Home Story from Youngstown Vindicator on 05/23/2010. Firefighters said a man cooking ribs on a back porch charcoal grill set fire to his home at 327-329 Myrtle Ave. just before 1 p.m. today. Battalion Chief Gary DiTullio said the man, believed to be in his mid-70s, escaped without injury but went to St. Elizabeth Health Center for observation. Firefighters didn’t have his name. The fire burned up the rear wall of the home before it was brought under control. Damage was estimated at about $5,000.

West Side Fire Destroys RV Story from WKBN TV27 Web Site on 06/17/2010. Youngstown fire crews battled an RV and house fire Thursday. Fire broke out about 2 p.m. on the city's west side on Peacock Drive. Crews said the RV caught fire first and the heat damaged the home's roof. The home owner's truck may also have been damaged in the blaze. No one was injured. Investigators are not sure how the fire began. The RV is a total loss.

Bike Run Honors Fallen Firefighters Story from WKBN TV27 Web Site on 06/26/2010. Photo and Video from the WKBN TV27 Web Site. The Youngstown Fire Department held its second annual Fallen Firefighters Memorial Bike Run Saturday morning. It began at Fire Station Number One in Downtown Youngstown. Nearly 150 riders came out to help support the memories of the 30 firefighters who have died on duty since 1901. Captain Jim Sapp says all the money raised will go toward building a new memorial statue right across from station number 1. The department hopes to have enough money to start construction on the new monument by this Fall.

Blaze Destroys East Side Home Story from WYTV Channel 33 Web Site on 07/06/2010. The Youngstown Fire Department battled a huge blaze on the city's East Side Monday night. Firefighters were called to the home on Charlotte Avenue at North Forest Avenue around 7:30 p.m. Flames filled the house when they arrived. Crews on the scene say no one lived inside. It's not known at this point how the blaze started. The structure is a complete loss.

Youngstown Council Mulls Payments On Firefighter Equipment Story from Youngstown Vindicator by David Skolnick on 07/20/2010. How strapped for cash is Youngstown? It depends. City council will consider legislation Wednesday to defer all but 10 percent of the $24,493.01 cost of buying 10 refurbished firefighter air packs. The ordinance calls for the rest of the cost to be paid annually beginning in mid-2011 in four equal payments of $6,346.73 at an interest rate of 5.022 percent. The city would pay $3,393.21 more for the air packs — used to allow firefighters to breathe air when attempting to extinguish a fire — over the four-year period rather than all at once. The fire chief “explained that it’s a good deal,” said Councilwoman Annie Gillam, D-1st, who as chairwoman of council’s safety committee is one of the three sponsors of the legislation. “He explained it to me, but I can’t remember what he said. He felt it was a good way to do it.” The payment plan will be discussed Wednesday at a finance committee meeting with a special council meeting to follow. Councilman Jamael Tito Brown, D-3rd, chairman of the finance committee, said he doesn’t know why the city is spreading out the payments of the equipment, but he’ll find out on Wednesday. Buying the air packs, to replace 10 that haven’t worked since April, is needed, but the money to pay for them is not in the fire department budget, said Fire Chief John J. O’Neill Jr. “If we’re in better financial shape next year, we’ll pay it off” and save some interest fees, he said. “If not, we’ll wait till the following year. I couldn’t find any money. We’re trying to get through the rest of the year. If I have to pay six-months interest, that’s OK. It’s a short-term fix.” Mayor Jay Williams said he’ll talk to O’Neill about the purchase to determine if it’s more “efficient and effective” to pay the entire bill at once. The city is working to fill a $2.5 million hole in its budget. Even in tough financial times, the city’s board of control, at its last meeting, July 8, approved a variety of items including up to $10,376.56 for signs on the city hall annex, $8,468.70 to modify and upgrade a telephone system, up to $10,000 for eight police cruiser mounted radios, and $44,489 for a vehicle for the public works department. At Wednesday’s meeting, council will also consider legislation to spend $4,850 to buy 388 anti-theft “door clubs” from Winner International of Sharon, Pa., for $12.50 each, to be distributed at no cost to senior citizens. “We’ve had a number of break-ins so this is a good idea,” Brown said. “It’s another tool for fighting crime. It’s a home security device.”

Investigators Believe Youngstown Fire Was Arson Story from WFMJ TV21 Web Site on 07/26/2010. YOUNGSTOWN, Ohio- Officials believe a fire that broke out in the city overnight was the work of an arsonist. Fire investigators said the fire appears to have started in a car in the driveway of a house on Atkinson Avenue at around 2 a.m. and spread to the house. A family was inside the house at the time, but was able to escape without any serious injuries. The extent of the damage has not been determined. Officials are still investigating.

Authorities: Man Drowned While Trying To Retrieve Rod Story from Youngstown Vindicator on 08/10/2010. Police say the man who drowned in McKelvey Lake while fishing was Augustus Ray Williams of Youngstown. Williams, 47, of Bott Street, was fishing with a friend near Oak Street Extension on a concrete ledge under a bridge when the accident occurred shortly after 8 p.m. Sunday. Williams’ friend, who was on the other end of the bridge, heard a big splash, police said. People sitting nearby in their yards yelled to Williams’ friend that the man had fallen into the water. His friend and those near the lake couldn’t find Williams, police said. His friend called 911. The Youngstown Fire Department and the Mahoning County Sheriff’s Department Dive Team pulled Williams’ body out of the lake at 9:01 p.m. Sunday. Williams fell into the lake while trying to retrieve his fishing pole, said Capt. William H. Hack Sr. of the dive team. This is the fourth drowning in the region since Aug. 1, when Susan Hernan, 51, of Youngstown, drowned in Berlin Lake in Berlin Center where she was with her two grandchildren, age 6 and 8. The children were rescued from the water by county deputy sheriffs. A day later, Brandin Norris, 15, of Farrell, Pa., drowned in the Shenango River in Sharon, Pa., while swimming with friends. Sharon fire officials say he likely was pulled under by a strong current. Nathan Kinderdine, 7, of Boardman, drowned in a pool last Tuesday during a summer camp at the Leonard Kirtz School in Austintown.

Youngstown Apartment Fire Story from WKBN TV27 Web Site on 08/15/2010. Youngstown fire crews worked to stamp out a blaze at an apartment building Sunday morning. Crews were to a 2155 Market St. just before 8 a.m. after reports of smoke coming out of the building. No one was home at the time, but firefighters say there appeared to be someone living in the an upstairs apartment. It took crews about 2 hours to put out the fire. No word yet on a cause.

Youngstown Firefighters Get High-Rise Training Story from WKBN TV27 Web Site on 08/20/2010. Photo and video from the WKBN TV27 Web Site. Youngstown firefighters underwent high-rise fire training Friday morning. In the last few years Youngstown Fire Department made some new hires who need the high-rise fire training. The department thinks now was the right time for the training because there are new businesses and people moving into high-rise buildings. The fire chief said the training simulates what a real high-rise fire could do. "Well, they are bringing their lines into the building, bringing their own pipeline in, taking their hoses upstairs to where the fire might be," said Chief John O'Neill. "It's an operation going on. It's real hands-on training." Nearly two dozen firefighters took part in the training.

Fire And Pain Story from Youngstown Vindicator by John W. Goodwin JR. on 08/26/2010. Photo by William D. Lewis from the Youngstown Vindicator Web Site Ben and Lynda Payne thought a family vacation would be the perfect way to relieve the stress brought on by pending medical challenges, but returning from vacation was anything but a relief. Ben Payne, 34, said he awoke the last day of the family camping trip and received the shock of his life. “I woke up that morning, turned my phone on, and it blew up with messages from people telling me that my house had blown up,” Payne said. Payne said he returned to the West Side to find his home at 203 S. Portland Ave. severely damaged in a fire along with everything the family owned. He said the family had even lost new school clothes purchased for their three daughters. Youngstown firefighters are investigating the fire to determine a cause. “I don’t know how to deal with this yet. I am basically still in denial,” Payne said. “You just think what if I had stayed home and not gone camping, my house might still be there.” To make matters worse for the family, Ben Payne is scheduled for major heart surgery in mid-October at the Cleveland Clinic. He had been working at Vanex Tools in Niles until his heart ailment made it impossible to continue working. Payne, because of the stress on his heart, now speaks with a slight whisper and reflects on the home he has lost. He said he and his wife remodeled most of the home and had put a great deal of their money into making it a place to raise their children. Payne said the fire has been a nightmare, but longtime friends like Domingo Rivera of the North Side are helping to ease the burden on the family. The family has been staying with Rivera since the Thursday morning fire. “I have known Ben more than 20 years. They are staying with me for now and we are just trying to get help from the Red Cross and the community as well,” Rivera said. “This was not a good time for this to happen because he is going to surgery and will need a place to rest, plus school is starting and the kids are going to need a bit of everything.” Rivera took the matter to the Internet, placing the family’s plight on Facebook. He also has started an account at a local bank, and he is asking the community to come forward and make donations to help defray any expenses the family might have in the immediate future. The family is asking for donations of money, food, clothes and anything else that would help them get back on their feet. A fund has been set up at Huntington Bank under “Payne Family Benefit Account” for anyone wishing to help.

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