Train hits truck

Train hits truck
GIRARD -- A Youngstown truck driver was injured Wednesday evening when his tractor-trailer was struck by a train. William Crawford, 66, of Hubbard Road, was in stable condition today in St. Elizabeth Health Center, Youngstown. According to the accident report, Crawford was driving the rig east along Byers Street shortly after 5:30 p.m. when it was struck by an Ohio Central Railroad train. The report said the truck was driven in front of the train. Crawford was taken to the hospital after complaining of head, neck and pelvic pains. No citation was issued. The truck is owned by LAS Recycling Co. of Girard.
Zoning change
MINERAL RIDGE -- Weathersfield Township Zoning Commission approved a zone change request for 5.7 acres of land between Sheetz Gas Station and Interstate 80 off Salt Springs Road. The request was made by Kirila Realty for the property to be changed from Agricultural and Commercial-A to Commercial-B. Kirila Realty has not indicated what it's going to do with the land, township officials said. Typically, businesses zoned Commerical-B are higher traffic-type uses such as gas stations, auto servicing, large equipment, hotels and restaurants. The zone change still must be approved by township trustees. The Commercial-B use is much more restrictive than Commercial-A zoning, said Sherri Crave, township zoning inspector. Uses for a Commercial-B site requires a conditional-use permit from the board of zoning appeals.
Body identified
HOWLAND -- The Ohio State Highway Patrol has identified a woman found dead Tuesday in a ditch near state Route 82. Lt. William Thompson said dental records were able to show that the woman was Son Hon Goodwin, 46, of Akron. Thompson said he did not know why she was in Howland. Thompson added that an autopsy was performed Wednesday by the Trumbull County Coroner's Office and officials think she died of natural causes. Thompson said the autopsy showed the woman had heart disease.
New cruisers
WARREN -- Trumbull County commissioners approved purchasing 10 used Ohio State Highway Patrol cruisers to replace aging vehicles in the county sheriff's department fleet. The cars, 2000 Ford Crown Victorias with at least 70,000 miles, will replace 1993 and 1994 models. The cost of buying and outfitting 10 vehicles will be $94,000, according to the resolution approved Wednesday by commissioners.
Jail crowding
WARREN -- County officials are asking the Ohio Department of Rehabilitation and Correction to re-classify part of the Trumbull County Jail as a full-service jail. Commissioners approved the action Wednesday, at the recommendation of the sheriff. The part of the jail affected had been classified as a minimum-security misdemeanant jail. The change would help ease overcrowding in the 284-bed facility by allowing more flexibility in where different types of inmates can be bunked, officials said.
More traffic stops
HUBBARD -- Hubbard Township police will have additional officers on duty this Friday and Saturday. The officers will target speed, safety-belt and child-restraint violators. Memorial Day weekend enforcement resulted in 23 citations and 27 written warnings. The overtime will be paid for through a $12,376 grant from the Ohio Department of Public Safety.
Truck overturns
SHARON, Pa. -- A PI & amp; I Motor Express tractor-trailer hauling a coil of steel overturned on a sharp curve on U.S. Route 62 in front of Penn-Ohio Drug at the Ohio border Wednesday. Police said the load shifted as the driver, Chaun Briley, 33, of West Liberty Street, Hubbard, rounded the curve headed west shortly after 10 a.m. The coil ended up in the Penn-Ohio parking lot and the rig on its side, blocking one of the westbound lanes. Briley wasn't hurt, but it took about two hours to clear the road.
Museum's bridal month
FOWLER -- Fowler Township Historical Society is featuring a bridal month at the David and Melissa Butts Museum at Fowler Square at the corner of state routes 305 and 193 from 1 to 5 p.m. June 16. Bridal gowns from different periods will be on display throughout the house. Admission is free with donations accepted. Parking is available at Fowler Methodist Church. Groups for tours are welcome other times by appointment: (330) 637-2006 or (330) 638-6646.