Library's virtual reference

Library's virtual reference
YOUNGSTOWN -- The Public Library of Youngstown and Mahoning County now offers a virtual reference service.
A grant from the federal Institute of Museum and Library Services, awarded by the State Library of Ohio, paid for the new service.
The online service, www.KnowItNow.org, is part of a statewide initiative that assists residents with access to information, regardless of the time of day.
Mahoning County residents can log on to www.libraryvisit.org and click on the Know It Now link. A user must then enter a zip code, and the Web site guides them to different locations.
Librarians staff the service for real-time answers to questions. Homework assistance is available daily from 2 to 10 p.m.
Car theft arrest
YOUNGSTOWN -- A 2003 Pontiac Grand Am stolen from a garage on Palmer Avenue at 1 a.m. today was spotted and pursued on the South Side and the driver caught by police after he ran from the car on Hilton Avenue, police said.
At 2:45 a.m., Sherrick C. Jackson, 15, of South Avenue was arrested on charges of breaking and entering (the garage) theft of a motor vehicle, receiving stolen property (the ignition key taken in a previous burglary), theft (a temporary license tag stolen from a Dodge on Hilton), fictitious plates, failure to comply with a police order, fleeing and eluding and driving without a license.
Police said that during the pursuit, Sherrick disobeyed speed limits, drove through stop signs and drove on the wrong side of the road.
He told police that the ignition key was given to him by "Antwan" after the burglary, and he was told where to find the car.
Sherrick was taken to the Martin P. Joyce Juvenile Justice Center.
Stolen newspaper boxes
YOUNGSTOWN -- Three newspaper boxes -- The Vindicator, USA Today and Cleveland Plain Dealer -- were found in the middle of Caledonia and Union streets Monday morning.
Police said it appeared that someone had tried to pry open the boxes and damaged them severely.
The boxes, because of their weight, had to be towed to the police garage, where they will be dusted for fingerprints by officers.
Vandalized vehicles
YOUNGSTOWN -- Four vehicles belonging to members of Sigma Tau Gamma fraternity were vandalized with white spray paint while parked across from the fraternity house on Broadway Street, police said.
The damage, confined to the passenger sides of all four vehicles, was discovered around 10 p.m. Monday.
Boardman band night
BOARDMAN -- Boardman High School Marching Band's annual Band Night will be at 7 p.m. Saturday in the stadium behind Boardman Center Middle School on Market Street, across from Southern Park Mall.
Five other bands will perform -- from West Branch, McDonald, South Range, Liberty and Canfield high schools.
Admission will be $4 for adults and $3 for students.
The rain date is Sept. 30.
Tied up and robbed
YOUNGSTOWN -- A 56-year-old Ashley Street man said he let in two of his son's friends Sunday afternoon and they asked for gas money before pulling a gun and using phone cord to tie his hands and legs, police said.
The man, whose son was not home, said one of the robbers dragged a big-screen TV from the living room to the garage, intending to place it in a van.
It apparently wouldn't fit because the TV was left in the garage, he said.
The robbers took cash, keys and a cell phone.
The man crawled to his back door and yelled for a neighbor, who came over and untied him.
He was to get the suspects' names from his son and provide them to detectives today.
Vacant house fire
GIRARD -- A Labor Day fire destroyed a vacant house that was being remodeled, causing about $20,000 damage.
Fire Chief Kenneth Bornemiss said firefighters were called to the 11/2-story frame structure at 521 Rhiems Ave., which was already engulfed in flames, at about 2:30 p.m.
The cause and area of origin of the fire haven't been determined.