Ozone alert period ends

Ozone alert period ends
YOUNGSTOWN -- A six-day ozone action period ended Wednesday as a front worked its way in from the West. The Ozone Task Force, an offshoot of the Eastgate Regional Council of Governments, ended the period after the formation of clouds, an increase of winds and the chance of scattered thunderstorms reduced the probability of ozone formation. For the past several days, ozone monitor readings were in the range of unhealthy for sensitive people.
Cats found in home
YOUNGSTOWN -- Dozens of cats, alive and dead, were found at 184 Hilton Ave. on the South Side after an ambulance was summoned for the resident, Ruth Fox, 85, who had fallen in her driveway. She was in critical condition today in St. Elizabeth Health Center. Dave Nelson, Animal Charity humane investigator, said he found one dead cat on a chandelier. He said the house was in deplorable condition. None of the animals could be saved.
School board to meet
NORTH LIMA -- South Range Board of Education will meet in special session at 7 a.m. Friday at the board offices, 11836 South Ave. Ext., to consider the adoption of the update of the district's five-year forecast and to review the current fiscal year's appropriations.
'Duck race' fund-raiser
NEW SPRINGFIELD -- The Potential Development Program will hold its second annual "duck race" July 13 at Evans Lake. Numbered tickets, which will correlate with numbers assigned to toy ducks, will be sold for $5. Prizes will be offered for the first and last ducks across the finish line. Tickets are available at Sam's Club in Boardman from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Friday and at Giant Eagle on Doral Drive in Boardman from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday and July 6. PDP is a nonprofit group that operates two schools in Youngstown and one in Howland for autistic and other special-needs children from kindergarten through grade three. For information, (330) 746-7641.
Charged in 911 calls
AUSTINTOWN -- A Youngstown man accused of calling 911 six times for no good reason is set to appear in court today on a felony charge of disruption of a public service. John McMahon, 39, of Maureen Drive, pleaded innocent to the charge Monday in Mahoning County Court in Austintown. Police said McMahon was highly intoxicated when he was arrested last Thursday. They had responded to each of McMahon's six calls.
Plea on firearms charge
AUSTINTOWN -- A Campbell man accused of having a loaded handgun under his seat in a car has pleaded innocent to a charge of improper handling of a firearm. Eric Van Cobb, 22, of Madison Avenue entered the plea Monday in county court here and was given a $4,000 bond by Judge David D'Apolito. Van Cobb's next court date is set for Aug. 5. Police said Van Cobb was riding in a car driven by Dwayne Adams, 23, of Monroe Street, Campbell, when it was pulled over last Thursday for loud music in the parking lot of Pizza Hut on South Raccoon Road. Adams pleaded no contest to a disorderly conduct charge Monday and Judge D'Apolito found him guilty. The judge ordered him to pay a $50 fine and court costs.
Woman charged
BOARDMAN -- A 21-year-old Youngstown woman was arrested by township police, who charged her with trying to cut a man with a box-cutter. Police said the woman, of Wilbur Avenue, was arrested around 2 p.m. Wednesday after they were called to the 6100 block of South Avenue for a domestic fight. She faces charges of domestic violence and felonious assault.
Bike stolen
BOARDMAN -- A Jeanette Drive woman reported that a 12-year-old boy stole her 9-year-old grandson's bicycle from her front yard, township police reports show. The woman told police the $50 10-speed bike was taken by force at 5:20 p.m. Wednesday.