The Akron Beacon Journal from Akron, Ohio • Page 9

Page B6, Friday, September 19, 1997 The Beacon Journal Mii I Inmate transfers are upheld. Prisoners at Youngstown facility fail to convince judge that additional inmates would pose problem Bridge was officially opened yesterday in Cuyahoga Falls. In addition to the new bridge, a new traffic signal also has been installed at Front Street and Oak Park Boulevard. The new bridge is a three-span steel beam bridge with a concrete deck. It is 36 feet wide and 258 feet long and has a 40-ton load limit.

The bridge, over the Cuyahoga River, carries traffic from state Route 59 into the River Estates neighborhood. An average of 2,000 vehicles a day were using the old bridge when it was closed in late March. The 60-year-old bridge had long been a concern to area residents; its load capacity was reduced in 1990. A brief ceremony and ribbon-cutting to mark the new bridge's opening was scheduled for yesterday evening. The project cost was estimated at $1 million, with money from the state of Ohio and Cuyahoga Falls.

ation has become the impetus for Ohio legislation to try to establish state controls over private prisons. The inmates' lawsuit seeks redress for at least three stabbings of inmates in the past two months and what they say are unwarranted attacks by staff, including gassing of inmates. Prison Warden Willis Gibson testified yesterday it was a mistake that his staff used a particularly noxious tear gas that is intended only for outdoor use not the confined space in which the 130 inmates were gassed May 30. Prison officials said that even though medical staff examined those prisoners after the gassing -which was used as a disciplinary measure when inmates allegedly made threats they failed to allow them to take showers afterward. The inmates' attorney, Alphonse Gerhardstein of Cincinnati, said showers are required under federal standards after such exposure.

The inmates, who decry the lack of state authority over the facility, seek preliminary and permanent injunctions to prohibit the continued "unconstitutional practices and conditions of confinement or an order closing the facili BY WILLIAM CANTERBURY Beacon Journal stuff writer A federal judge in Akron yesterday declined a request by inmates to halt the transfer of an additional 340 prisoners from the District of Columbia to the private prison in Youngstown. Inmates at the Northeast Ohio Correctional Center alleged that "excessive force" and inadequate medical care were partial reasons to halt the transfer, which is to be completed by Sept 30. The inmates contend that the correctional center, which opened last spring as a private prison for out-of-state prisoners, already fails to deal adequately with the more than 1,250 inmates it houses -about 60 percent of whom have been convicted of homicides. With the additional inmates, the facility would house more than 1,600 prisoners. It has a capacity of 2,000.

U.S. District Judge Sam Bell said the inmates failed to prove irreparable harm from the additional prisoner transfer in the short tenn, noting that the facility officials indicated they are trying to work out numerous problems. But Bell said he would schedule a hearing in about six weeks on whether to grant the inmates' request for preliminary and permanent injunctions to force the prison operators to address overall problems concerning use of force and medical care. Judge expresses concern Bell said he remains concerned about larger issues concerning operation of the private facility that he hopes the state legislature addresses specifically, the legal authority for the facility to use force on inmates. State officials are concerned that the Ohio Department of Corrections lacks jurisdiction to oversee private facilities.

The Youngstown facility operates under a $170 million, five-year contract between the Corrections Corporation of America and the District of Columbia for housing prisoners formerly kept in the rundown Lorton, prisoa The situ scenities and artwork on the girders and trespassers from climbing up to the catwalk. County officials are afraid that someone will fall 210 feet to the Cuyahoga River valley floor, a liability issue. But evidence of bonfires and beer bottles testify to the trespassers' merry spirit "We're trying to make it even more of an impediment," Randy Cole, chief of staff for county Engineer Gene Esser, told the County Council this week. The engineer's office took steps as early as 1995 to do something about this hazard, paying Voino-vich, Sgro Architects of Cleveland $7,200 for a study. The consultants Fence may keep out bridge vandals BaughmanTwp.

Farmer, 77, is killed when his tractor flips A 77-year-old Tannerville Road farmer was killed when the tractor he was driving flipped in a field near his home. Orin Shoup was pinned beneath the tractor about 11:30 a.m. Wednesday. Richard Shoup found his grandfather about noon. Richard Shoup ran to the home and told his grandmother, who called 911.

Wayne County Coroner J.T. Questel ruled that Shoup died of injuries caused by the accident, according to a spokesman for the county Sheriffs Department Services for Shoup will be at 2 p.m. Saturday at Martins Mennonite Church, 14027 Church Road. Calling hours will be from 2 to 4 p.m. and 6 to 8 tonight at the church and one hour before the funeral at the church.

Burial will be in the church cemetery. Memorials may be made to the church or a charity of the donor's choice. Auble funeral home is handling arrangements. Akron Grand jury indicts suspects in robbery Two brothers accused of holding a young boy and his grandmother at gunpoint during a February 1996 robbery at a Franklin Township home have been indicted by a Stark County grand jury. Gary L.

Noble, 30, and Ted Noble, 33, both formerly of Akron, were on the run for 18 months before they were captured last month in Nashville, after a highspeed chase. Police learned of the brothers' whereabouts from a tipster who had watched the television program Unsolved Mysteries, which had done a feature on the robbery at the Woodcrest Avenue home. Prosecutors said the robbers cut the telephone lines to the house before going inside and tying up Becky Wood and her 9-year-old grandson, demanding at gunpoint that they give up the combination to the family safe. Police said the thieves fled with more than $20,000 worth of jewelry; the locked safe, containing more than and Wood's car, which was recovered. The brothers are scheduled for arraignment today before county Magistrate John Shoemaker.

Kent Two men arrested on trafficking charges Two Kent men pleaded innocent in Portage County Municipal Court yesterday to trafficking in marijuana and possession of criminal tools. Kent police said the Western Portage County Drug Task Force was watching Thomas Nicholson, 25, and Michael Gallagher, 27, both of Summit Street, for a month. They were arrested about 11 p.m. Wednesday. The task force seized an undisclosed amount of marijuana, cash and scales allegedly used in weighing maryuana at their home, police said.

Gallagher and Nicholson are in the Portage County Jail in lieu of $5,000 bonds. Cuyahoga Falls Oak Park Blvd. Bridge opens; signal added After five months of construction, the new, long-awaited Oak Park Boulevard Officials again debate ways to stop trespassers under High Level Bridge by carol Biliczky Beacon Jtmnml stuff writer Trespassers may find their days or more accurately, nights of partying numbered beneath the bridge linking Akron and Cuyahoga Falls. For the third time, the Summit County Engineer's Office is trying to persuade the county to spend $45,000 for an 8-foot-tall, chain-link fence around the base of the High Level Bridge. The goal to keep vandals from spray-painting ob Program gives families a foundation State-funded TRANSCEND will build five new homes ty," and possible monetary damages.

Bell said if the facility does not take further steps to address some of the problems, he will reconsider his rejection of the order prohibiting the facility from taking any more prisoners. Warden testifies The warden and the prison's medical director testified that complete medical records do not exist for 400 inmates. They said some inmates have chronic medical problems such as being HIV positive, diabetic or having sickle cell anemia Bell said he expects the medical records to be complete by the hearing date. "The problem of medical records is close to insanity," Bell said. He earlier told the prison officials, "I can't conceive why these records can't be sent by a truck and picked up by your truck." Inmate attorney Gerhardstein said of Bell's ruling: "We're disappointed by the fate of our temporary restraining order but encouraged by his sending a message to the legislature they better solve the lack of a clear legal authority for the use of force in this facility." eras.

But Cole said the county can't wait to put up the fence, although it will consider other proposals later. He wants to keep the engineer's office to its strict maintenance schedule for 342 county bridges, although all of them aren't tended to each year. The High Level Bridge, the county's tallest, was to be done early in October, but Cole wants to have the fence up before the county fixes and paints the bridge so that it's protected. Esser will meet under the bridge at 2 p.m. today with some council members.

headed by women who are working but are trying to climb up the economic ladder. Applications may be picked up at the JOBS desk of the Summit County Department of Human Services downtown, the Twinsburg Community Center at 8776 Harvard Family Solutions at 2100 Front Street Mall, or the Summit County Welfare Office at 9735 Valley View Road in Macedonia. Applications must be mailed in, postmarked no later than Sept 30. For more information, call Nolan at 330-928-1159. Dixie R.

Bertoglio Dixie R. Bertoglio, 62, died Sept. 17, 1997. Bom in Ashland, she had been a resident of Akron for 43 years. Mrs.

Bertoglio had worked as a registered nurse at Akron General Medical Center, and as a realtor for Repetti Realty. She was very active in the Western Reserve Girl Scout Council, serving as president and interim executive director, as well as board member and troop leader. Mrs. Bertoglio was a member of the Merriman Hills Garden Club and Christ United Methodist Church. Preceded in death by her father, William R.

Gardner, she is survived by her husband, Antone daughters, Susan of Short Hills, N. Sally of Akron, and Gina of Chicago, and mother, Evalyn Gardner of Ashland. A memorial service will be held at 12 p.m. SATURDAY at the Bertoglio residence, 812 Delaware Akron, with Rev. Harry Hull officiating.

Private inurnment at Ashland Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Western Reserve Girl Scout Council, 345 White Pond Akron 44320. (Billow FAIRLAWN Chapel, 867-4141.) Linda Calsing (nee Britton) Linda Calsing (nee Britton), 65, was the beloved wife of Harry mother of Barb Consolo, Judy, Jan Smith, and Bob (deceased); grandmother of Kris-ten, Kalli, Courtney, Keaton, Casey, and Taylor; and sister of Don Britton. Friends may call at A. Nosek Sons, Gerber-McCreery Funeral Home, 8150 Brecksville Brecks-ville, Friday, 7 to 9 p.m., and Saturday, 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m.

A memorial service will be held at Bethel Lutheran Church, 3852 Everett Bath, Sunday, Sept. 21, at 5 p.m. Contributions may be made to the American Cancer Society. David E. Cassidy David E.

Cassidy, 55, passed away Sept. 17, 1997. Funeral announcements later. (Hopkins Lawver, Akron, 733-6271.) Continued on next page Aurora Streetsboro company wins sidewalk work The city's Service Committee last night accepted a Streetsboro company's $20,970 bid to do sidewalk construction. Precision Design and Construction will install sidewalks in front of 13 homes on Nautilus Trail in the Aurora Shores development.

A total of $12,000 was appropriated for the work. The Finance Committee will be asked to contribute money to complete the project. In other business, BSA Investments presented the Service Committee with a plan to develop the northeast corner of state Route 82 and Bissell Road. The project calls for construction of a large building that would possibly house a theater and six smaller ones to be used for office space. No tenants have yet committed to the project.

Committee members have reservations about developing the 14-acre commercial parcel. Among their concerns are storm-water management and the location of the largest proposed building. They are sending the plan and their comments on to the Planning Commission. MARGE BJERREGAARD it Region Work on 1-77 to delay traffic south of airport Drivers can expect delays tomorrow because of construction on Interstate 77 in southern Summit County and northern Stark County. From 7 a.m.

to 8 p.m., only one lane of traffic will remain open northbound and southbound in a construction zone between the Akron-Canton Regional Airport exit and 38th Street in Canton. Lengthy delays are anticipated, highway officials said, and drivers familiar with the area are encouraged to follow an alternate route. Next week, lanes will be closed briefly in the same section of 1-77, both northbound and southbound, as final preparations are made for the top layer of asphalt. Contractors also may close ramps for short periods. not pick up stray dogs in the county, only in the city of Wooster.

The county is the responsibility of the county dog warden. Dog warden Mary Poole said yesterday that she did not have a voice mail message from Speelman on Wednesday. Poole, who does not have a secretary, returns calls from 10 a.m. to noon and 4 to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday.

Poole said she handles calls for the Humane Society after hours but has a contract only to do so when a dog has bitten a person. Derflinger said deputies found the dog's owner, Annette Hill of North Bever Street in Wooster, from Speelman's description of the car that dropped off the dog. Hill admitted dumping the dog near a driveway in the 1600 block of Flickinger Hill Road about 3:30 p.m., Derflinger said. Poole said the county follows state law in defining vicious animals. A pit bull falls into the category of a vicious dog, she said.

The prosecutor's office will decide whether Hill should be charged with abandoning a dog, Derflinger said. advised putting up a fence. In July, Cole asked the County Council for permission to put up an 8-foot-tall fence. The council said no, because of the cost. Monday, Cole asked the council to pass a similar request, but the council said no and shuttled the request back to the public works committee for review next week.

Council members have their own ideas on what to do. Pete Crossland, D-Akron, said the engineer's office is remiss not to take the elementary step of putting up "no trespassing" signs. John Bolek, R-Northfield, envisions more elaborate security measures removing parts of the catwalk or installing video cam in Twinsburg Township care. The families also will be expected to integrate into the neighborhood, Nolan said. "We don't want them to just live there," Nolan said.

"We want them to get involved in the Twinsburg community, join PTA, participate in activities with their children." After two years, families should be eligible to apply for a loan, Nolan said. The families already selected live in public housing and are Charles Paul Bennett Charles Paul Bennett, 85, died Sept. 18, 1997. He was a lifetime resident of the Akron area, a member of Woodland United Methodist Church, Loyalty Masonic Lodge 645 past president of ICBL, and an avid bridge player. Mr.

Bennett retired from Kistlei Bakery with 25 years service. Mr. Bennett was preceded in death by his son, Christopher, and is survived by his wife, Arvilla; sons, W. Fred (Beverly) of Ft. Wayne, Timothy J.

(Lois) Bennett of Atlanta, six grandchildren, 10 great-grandchildren; brother, James Bennett of Cleveland. A memorial service will be held Monday, 1 p.m., at the Woodland United Methodist Church, 444 N. Hawkins Ave. Akron 44313, with Rev. Raymond Kovach officiating.

Inurnment at Mount Peace Cemetery. Friends may call at the church one hour before service time. Should friends desire memorials may be made to Woodland United Methodist Church. (Billow FAIRLAWN Chapel, 867-4141.) Margaret A. Bynum Margaret A.

Bynum, 91, went to be with the Lord on Sept. 15, 1997, at Valley View Nursing Home. Born in Morrisville, N. she had lived as a beloved member of the Akron community for many years. She was retired from the American Tobacco Co.

after 22 years of service. She is survived by sisters, Ella (William) Edger of Raleigh, N. and Bessie Blanding of Durham, N. niece, Lucille Burton of Holly Springs, N. nephew, Robert Blanding of Baltimore, great-niece, Ernestine Bason of Durham, N.

and a host of cousins, other relatives and friends. Homegoing services will be held Saturday, 10 a.m., at the Turner Rhoden Memorial Home Chapel, 1101 Palmetto where friends may call from 9:30 a.m. until time of service. Interment at Lakewood Cemetery. Condolences may be sent to the funeral home.

(SERVICES ENTRUSTED TO TURNER RHODEN, 724-1201.) Death Notices Be Summit County residents. Be on some form of public assistance. Have a high school diploma or General Equivalency Degree. Be eligible for or enrolled in the Jobs Opportunity and Basic Skills program. Be drug- and alcohol-free.

Be at or below 35 percent of the median income for a Summit County resident a family of four could make up to a family of three could make up to $13,965 and a family of two could make up to $12,390. The family would pay about $300 a month, $200 of which will go into an escrow account that the family would get back at the end of the two years to be used toward a down payment for the house. "There will also be some additional (financial) assistance for a down payment" Nolan said. The $70,000 houses, which will be located in the vicinity of the Chrysler plant, will be 1,100 square feet with three bedrooms and I'j baths. The support that families will receive will include help increasing job skills, assistance finding better-paying jobs or help with day home.

Collmar, James 67, of Canal Fulton. Thursday. Swi-gart-Easterling funeral home. Paxton, Doris 90, formerly of North Canton, in Texas. Sunday.

Schneeberger Son funeral home, Cantoa Scrima, Phillip 80, of Canton. Thursday. Rossi funeral home. Shaheen, Michael 87, of Canton. Thursday.

Rossi funeral home. Smith, John E. "Jack," 78, of Massillon. Wednesday. Arnold-Lynch funeral home.

Medina Beck, Margaret 80, of Brunswick. Thursday. Carlson funeral home. Wayne Sheets, the Rev. Antoinette H.

"Nettie," 84, of Wooster. Wednesday. Custer funeral home. Portage Hodge, Barbara, 64, formerly of Streetsboro. Tuesday.

Shorts funeral home. By Carole Cannon Beacon Journal staff writer Five families on public assistance in Summit County may be able to transcend a life laced with poverty through a new housing program funded by the state and sponsored by a local collaborative effort Three families have been selected for the pilot program. The application process has been reopened so that the final two families can be chosen. The program, TRANSCEND, will build five new houses in Twinsburg Township. "There have been some similar programs," said Robert Nolan, program coordinator, "but none quite like this." The program will provide hands-on, long-term support to families who have shown a desire to both leave the system and become homeowners, Nolan said.

The families were selected from 40 applicants after a thorough screening process that included interviews, weekly workshops that taught responsible home ownership, and credit checks. To participate families must: Summit Bennett, Charles Paul, 85, of Akron. Thursday. Billow funeral home, Fairlawn. Bond, Florence (Betts), 78, of Cuyahoga Falls.

Thursday. Clifford-Shoemaker funeral home. Cherpas, Anna 89, of Cuyahoga Falls. Wednesday. Clifford-Shoemaker funeral home.

Cosner, Leona M. (Wittek), 88, formerly of Akron. Tuesday. Schlup-Pucak funeral home. Robinson, Robert 66, of SeviervUle, formerly of Akron.

Tuesday. Schlup-Pucak funeral home. Stark Artman, Florence 99, of Canton. Thursday. Lamiell funeral home.

Bacon, Samuel S. 84, of Massillon. Wednesday. Arnold-Lynch funeral home. Berger, Grace 96, of Canton.

Wednesday. Kreigh-baum-Sanders funeral home, Canton Township. Carrothers, Leighman "Lee" 82, of Louisville. Tuesday. Stier-Israel funeral DOG Prosecutor to decide if owner should be charged Continued from Page Bl Speelman, a 44-year resident of the neighborhood, said there was no way he would get off the four-wheeler and try to restrain the dog.

"I've done a lot of coon hunting and been around a lot of dogs. I never saw a dog as threatful as this," he said. Fortunately, no children or joggers came near the dog, he said. Speelman, a financial contributor to the Humane Society, said he is upset with the agency for not being open on Wednesday afternoons to take calls for help. A secretary at the Humane Society confirmed yesterday that the agency closes on Wednesday afternoons, but it has an answering machine to refer calls' to another number.

She said the agency does.