Portions of the Southern Park Mall were closed on Monday morning, Nov. 3 due to apparent issues with the mall’s security staff. Local public officials were told as early as last Saturday there could be issues with the mall over its security staff’s payroll and staff members not getting paid. Anchor stores JCPenney and Macy’s were open in the morning, as they are staffed by their own security. The temporary closing heightened concerns the mall could close permanently due to unpaid property taxes and electric bills, with some suggesting the management of the facility has told some tenants to cease paying their bills as the property owners are not paying their bills for electric. When Boardman Township officials have inquired about unpaid property taxes, the Mahoning County Prosecutor’s Office has noted no action can be taken, ‘due to precedent’ until property taxes are at least two years overdue.

     BY JOHN A. DARNELL JR.
      associate editor
      A melee erupted last week in an administrative office at Center Intermediate School, 7410 Market St., that included a fourth grade student punching a “behavior support room teacher,” knocking her glass off her face.
      About 12:30 p.m. on Tues., Oct. 28 two fourth grade students were in the office of Center’s Assistant Principal Nicholas Hewko who serves the school as the student discipline principal.
      The two students had been involved in an “argument and shoving match” in a hallway after lunch. Also present in the office were a fourth grade counselor, Mindy DePietro; a behavior support room teacher, Jennifer Wise; as well as a health and well-being counselor, Shana Ross.
      While being interviewed in Hewko’s office, one of t...Read More >>

     The Boardman-Youngstown Kiwanis Club continued their decades-long annual partnership this year with the Boardman Police Department handing out Halloween candy throughout the township during trick-or-treating last Friday. The Kiwanis community outreach service project is important to promote a positive experience for children and families with the local police department, and to promote safe trick-or-treating activities. Pictured, in front from left to right are Kiwanians Tom Costello, Phil Pillin and Tom Mumaw. In back, from left, Kiwanian Mark Luke, BPD officers Kaneesha Tensley, Rob Spatar, Ray Hillard and Erin Higgins.