Boscov’s launches $1 million charity fundraisers

Posted on | by Christopher Anthony

Jim Martin | Erie Times-News | October 23, 2021

Boscov’s, which operates a store at the Millcreek Mall, set a $1 million charitable fundraising goal when it kicked off its 25th-anniversary Friends Helping Friends event on Wednesday.

“Throughout the markets we serve, over 3,000 non-profit organizations have been working to distribute shopping passes giving their supporters a 25% discount on almost everything we sell,” said Jim Boscov, Chairman of the privately-owned company.

In addition to the discount passes distributed to nonprofits, customers can receive a discount pass for making a $5 contribution to charity.

Based in Reading, Boscov’s operates 49 stores in Pennsylvania, New York, New Jersey, Maryland, Delaware, Connecticut, Rhode Island and Ohio.

Annual Trunk-or-Treat with Law Enforcement attracts thousands to Bridgeport, WV, Meadowbrook Mall Thursday

Posted on | by Christopher Anthony

by Steven Baublitz STAFF WRITER

Clarksburg Police Sgt. Paul Graeber and his girlfriend, Ali Lopez, hand out candy from the trunk of a decorated Clarksburg Police Department cruiser during Trunk-or-Treat with Law Enforcement Meadowbrook Mall on Thursday evening. | Staff photo by Steven Baublitz

 

Lines of costumed children and their families wrap around Meadowbrook Mall during the annual Trunk-or-Treat with Law Enforcement on Thursday evening. | Staff photo by Steven Baublitz

BRIDGEPORT — Swarms of children donned their Halloween costumes and gathered sweets in the Meadowbrook Mall parking lot Thursday evening during the annual Trunk-or-Treat with Law Enforcement.

Standing beside police cruisers decorated for the occasion, law enforcement officers from the Harrison County Sheriff’s Department, Clarksburg Police Department, Bridgeport Police Department the FBI Police and others passed out candy.

Several information booths were set up as well, and characters from “Paw Patrol” were on hand to greet the trunk-or-treaters.

Harrison County Sheriff Robert Matheny said his wife, Melissa Matheny, and Ashley Vernon continue to be key organizers of the event.

“The last couple years, we’ve drawn between 3,500 and 3,600 kids that participate. It provides a family-friendly, safe atmosphere. We try to give proper lighting; kids don’t have to worry about traffic, and we encourage safety,” the sheriff said.

The candy, he added, is mostly bought and donated by the Fraternal Order of Police Lodge No. 78, with Spirit Halloween and others helping as well. All the candy handed out was in sealed packages to prevent tampering and ensure the safety of the children.

“We take those precautions seriously,” he said.

Melissa Matheny said Thursday’s turnout seemed consistent with past years.
“(People) are wrapped up around Planet Fitness over there, and in years past, the line has gone down towards Target,” she said.

“I think it’s great,” Vernon added. “This is what we did it for. We worked hard over the past month or so to get donations, and I think it’s a good turnout.”

Both said the goal of the event is to provide children with a fun, safe experience and positive interaction with law enforcement.

Clarksburg Police Sgt. Paul Graeber, who participated in the event for the first time Thursday, said he and his girlfriend, Ali Lopez, decorated the trunk of his cruiser for the trunk-or-treat.

“I’m loving it. It’s a lot of fun seeing all the kids,” Graeber said.

Chuck Lanham of Clarksburg, who brought his family to the trunk-or-treat for the first time Thursday, said he was presently surprised by the turnout.

“It’s packed. I think it’s good (that) kids don’t have to be afraid and they know (law enforcement) is their friend, and it’s a good thing,” he said.

Carrie Yocco of Bridgeport brought her family to enjoy a night of safe Halloween fun.
“I think it’s great for the community, and the kids have a good time,” she said.

The trunk-or-treat gives youth the opportunity to meet law enforcement in a positive way, instead of during an emergency or potentially negative situations, Yocco added.

Staff writer Steven Baublitz can be reached at (304)626-1404 or sbaublitz@theet.com

Perkins School Board of Education Approves Enterprise Zone For Sandusky Mall Development

Posted on | by Christopher Anthony

Perkins Township – The Perkins Local School District, in partnership with the Perkins Township Trustees and the Sandusky Mall Residential LLC, are proud to announce that a $13 million upscale, multi-family residential development at the Sandusky Mall is moving forward.

The development plan is a joint venture proposed by the Cafaro Company, Sandusky Mall Residential LLC of Niles, Ohio, and Crossroads Group LLC, of Richfield, Ohio.

“We thank the Cafaro Company for its unwavering interest and support in our community for many years,” said Perkins Schools Superintendent Todd Boggs. “It has been an honor to work with Anthony Cafaro Jr., the co-president of the Cafaro Co., and our Perkins Township and Erie County officials to reach an agreement.”

Mr. Cafaro added, “We greatly appreciate the thoughtful cooperation of the school board and Perkins Township Trustees. We believe this project will solidify the importance and vitality of the Sandusky Mall complex and make it a valuable asset to the community for years to come.”

The development plans call for the construction of 126 two-bedroom deluxe apartments to be built on 17.5 acres currently used as a parking lot. The land is on the east side of Hobby Lobby store.

The Perkins Local School District Board of Education on Wednesday, October 13, approved a request from the developers for a 15-year enterprise zone program.

Under the enterprise zone agreement plan, 100 percent of the property taxes for the new construction will be abated for the first 10 years, and 50 percent of the property taxes will be abated for the next five years. The enterprise zone only covers the new construction. The mall owners will continue to pay property taxes on the land, which has a tax value of $503,000.

The developer also has agreed to pay Perkins Schools a $100,000 payment in lieu of taxes within 90 days of the enterprise zone package receiving final approval.

“This agreement serves a dual role in supporting development in our area while protecting our local interests at hand,” Mr. Boggs added.

The school district, as well as the Perkins Township trustees, have approved the enterprise zone. The tentative agreement now will go before the Erie County Commission for its consideration.

Tim Coleman, chairman of the Perkins Township Trustees, said the schools, township, and the owners of the Sandusky Mall worked diligently to ensure that the project becomes reality.

“This project will provide many new housing units that will provide more than just a new home but will also serve to bolster business prospects at the Mall as well as in our commercial district on U.S. Route 250,” Mr. Coleman said.

Gary Boyle, the township administrator, added that the current Mall plan and the abatement deal were the result of several meetings among all parties. The development is expected to have a positive impact on the community for years to come – and long after the abatement expires.

“The ownership of the Mall has invested millions in reconfiguring the Mall to reflect the current needs of retailers and to attract new businesses,” Mr. Boyle said. “This project will result in the largest new residential development in the township in a long time.

Construction is slated to begin in October or November 2021, and employ up to 240 construction workers with an annual payroll of an estimated $4 million over the two-year construction period.

The developers estimate that the total construction cost of the development will be a maximum of $13 million and there will be an estimated $330,000 invested in furnishings and fixtures.