Police seek vandals

Police seek vandals
POLAND -- Police have no suspects in the recent vandalism of a local landmark. The Poland Township Historical Society building, commonly known as the Little Red School House, 4515 Center Road, was the target of graffiti writers. Obscenities were spray-painted on the brick and wooden parts of two of the building's outer walls, neither of which is visible from a street. No other damage to the building was apparent, according to police. The graffiti was reported at 11:15 a.m. Friday by a woman who told police the walls were clean the last time she saw them, Feb. 15.
Thefts investigated
BOARDMAN -- Police are investigating thefts of items from several vehicles that occurred early Friday. The thieves took a variety of items, from a flashlight, umbrella to owner's manuals for both a Nissan and a Toyota, compact disc player, compact discs, a portable playpen and a television. The thefts were reported on Angiline Drive, Stoney Creek Court, Ewing Road, Rockdale and Brookfield avenues and Trenholm Road.
Drug unit honored
YOUNGSTOWN -- The Mahoning Valley Law Enforcement Task Force drug unit received three awards at a ceremony Friday from the High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area. Sgt. Bob Magnuson, unit commander, said they included a deconfliction award, an award for outstanding investigative effort for dismantling a major heroin and cocaine distribution group in May 2004 and an investigative award for Youngstown Patrolman Brian Simmons. Deconfliction refers to a process in which drug investigators forward information to Ohio HIDTA to ensure that investigations involving more than one agency are coordinated. Simmons' award was for his efforts in investigating a complaint about OxyContin distribution, which resulted in charges in May 2003.
Man steals 18-pack
AUSTINTOWN -- A man used a fire extinguisher to break through the window of a South Meridian Road convenient store to escape with an 18-pack of beer. An employee at True North told police the man walked into the store Thursday, picked up the beer and headed toward the exit. The employee locked the store so the man couldn't leave. The man dropped the beer and started pushing and kicking the door, according to reports. He then picked up a fire extinguisher, threw it through the door, picked up the beer and walked out. The employee said the man left in an older green Ford.
Special meetings
WARREN -- City council has called two special meetings for Tuesday to consider one item: paying a $133,000 bill to Warren Recycling and avoid interruption of city trash collection. The sessions will be at 4:30 and 4:45 p.m., after a 4 p.m. finance committee meeting, the council clerk's office said. The city's contract with Warren Recycling expired Dec. 31, but the city has continued to use the waste transfer facility without a contract. A new contract is ready and Warren Recycling wants the back payments from the city. An ordinance authorizing city Auditor David Griffing to pay the bill had a first reading Wednesday.
Parking hearings
BOARDMAN -- A series of public hearings to allow residents to comment on plans to restrict parking to one side of several streets in the township starts Monday. Township officials have said the narrowness of the streets makes it difficult to maneuver emergency vehicles if vehicles are parked on both sides. The hearings start at 6 p.m. in the township Government Center. Monday will cover Afton, Argyle and Buena Vista avenues and Beechwood Drive; March 14: Clifton and Homestead drives and Erskine and Leighton avenues; March 28: Maple Drive and Melrose, Romaine and Sciota avenues; April 11: Shadyside, Terrace and Willow drives and Stanton Avenue; and April 25: Woodrow and avenues.