Market Street fatality

Market Street fatality
YOUNGSTOWN -- George Adkins, 32, of McGuffey Road died after crashing his pickup truck into a utility pole on Market Street. It was the same pole where two Salem women were killed Jan. 3, said Detective Sgt. Patricia Garcar.
The victim died of crushing chest trauma, said Mahoning County Coroner David M. Kennedy. Garcar said Adkins drove too fast for the curve on Market near Wayne Avenue about 11:15 p.m. Thursday and struck the pole. The truck's air bag deployed but Adkins wasn't using his seat belt, Garcar said.
The women killed at the site earlier this month were passengers in a car. The driver remains hospitalized.
Teen dies of gunshot
NEW CASTLE, Pa. -- Authorities are investigating the death of a 15-year-old New Castle boy. Lawrence County Coroner Russell S. Noga said the boy was found dead Thursday night, apparently of a gunshot wound to the head, at a relative's home.
City police and the coroner's office are still investigating the events surrounding the boy's death and think it may have been accidental, he said.
An autopsy was planned late Friday at Ellwood City Hospital, Noga said. The boy's name and other details were not being released by authorities Friday.
Flying disc golf event
CHAMPION -- The fifth annual Ice Bowl flying disc golf tournament will be Feb. 2 at Clarence Darrow Park, located on Educational Parkway adjacent to Kent State University Trumbull Campus.
The rules of the event are similar to regular golf. Participants throw special flying discs into baskets.
Registration begins at 9:30 a.m., with a mandatory players meeting at 10:15. Entry fee is $5 plus two canned goods. Proceeds benefit the Salvation Army.
Call Bill at (330) 609-6611 for more information.
YSU ombudsman
YOUNGSTOWN -- K.J. Satrum, executive director of student services at Youngstown State University, has been named YSU's new ombudsman. Satrum will try to resolve student complaints and concerns or refer students to officials who can help. "I like to solve problems, and I like students," Satrum said.
It is the first time YSU has had such a position. Dr. David Sweet created the position after a consultant said the university needed to be more student-friendly.
Cyndy Anderson, vice president for student affairs, said Satrum is perfectly suited for the new job. "She knows folks on campus and she has a good working relationship with students," Anderson said. Satrum started the position this week.
Poland panel to meet
POLAND -- The village's Intermodal Surface Transportation Enhancement Act committee, which coordinates alternative transportation projects, such as the walking path now being developed along Yellow Creek, will meet at 7:30 p.m. Monday in Village Hall, 308 S. Main St.
A village planning commission meeting set for Tuesday has been canceled due to lack of a quorum.
Pupils to testify for bill
COLUMBUS -- Several pupils from Volney Rogers Junior High School in Youngstown will testify Tuesday in favor of a bill that would increase the penalty for furnishing tobacco to minors from a self-service display. The bill, House Bill 237, would also require a court to suspend a first offender's sentence if the offender participates in a tobacco retailer education program.
The hearing will be at 2 p.m. in Statehouse Room 114 before the Ohio House Criminal Justice Committee. The pupils and their teacher, Penny Wells, had urged State Rep. Sylvester Patton to introduce the bill last year.
Craig Beach meeting
CRAIG BEACH -- The village planning commission will meet at 3 p.m. today in the municipal building.