Heavy traffic patrols

Heavy traffic patrols
YOUNGSTOWN -- Police will be out on saturation patrols from 11 tonight until 3 a.m. Sunday and during those hours again on March 26. The target area for traffic enforcement is Western Reserve Road, U.S. Route 224 and Youngstown-Poland Road. The overtime enforcement will be paid for by a state grant. Police from Youngstown, Youngstown State University, Mahoning County Sheriff's Department, Beaver and Goshen townships, Poland, New Middletown and Springfield will participate.
Shooting in Warren
WARREN -- A gunman said "Welcome to Warren" after shooting a man in the chest through a vehicle window. The victim, Matthew Burroughs, 30, of Draper Street Southeast, was taken to Forum Health Trumbull Memorial by a friend who was driving -- and who approached the gunman afterward, not realizing the car damage had been caused by gunfire. Warren police report the dispute unfolded about 3:30 a.m. Friday on Central Parkway. As the two men in the vehicle approached Milton Street Southeast, the passenger window shattered and Burroughs realized he had been shot. The driver approached the gunman in the street, who pointed a small wood-handled revolver at him and said, "Welcome to Warren." The driver said he was calling the cops; the gunman brushed that off, saying he lived nearby.
LaBrae school funding
LEAVITTSBURG -- The Ohio Schools Facilities Commission is including LaBrae schools among 20 districts identified for funding this year through the state's Rebuilding Ohio Schools program. A dollar amount wasn't announced, but the commission and its staff are working with LaBrae and the other districts to finalize what work needs done. The board of education will take the next step in June by approving districtwide facilities plans, which the state controlling board will review in August, Gov. Bob Taft's office said. LaBrae is building a $29 million central complex for grades 3-12 but also has Bascom Elementary, which was built in the 1950s.
Driver pleads innocent
YOUNGSTOWN -- A misdemeanor charge of vehicular manslaughter has been filed against Mary C. Keener, 39, of Glacier Heights Road. Patrick T. Braun, 7, of Price Road was struck and killed by Keener's Jeep on July 19, 2004, as he rode his bicycle near his home, police said. At arraignment Friday, Kenner pleaded innocent and will have a hearing at 10 a.m. April 28. She's free on $2,000 bond. If convicted, Keener faces up to 90 days in jail.
Water shutoff planned
CHAMPION -- The Trumbull County Sanitary Engineer's Department will have the water shut off on parts of Mahoning Avenue from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Wednesday. The area affected is between State Road and Marshall Avenue. The shutoff is necessary because waterlines must be relocated in conjunction with the Ohio Department of Transportation's widening of Mahoning Avenue. For more information, call (330) 675-2775.
Bluebird license plate
COLUMBUS -- A new specialty license plate benefiting outdoor education programs and nature centers at Ohio State Parks will feature a likeness of the bluebird. As with other specialty plates of the Ohio Department of Natural Resources, the bluebird plate costs $25 above the price of a standard license plate, with $15 of that going to Ohio State Parks nature programs. The bluebird plates are available beginning Wednesday through the Ohio Bureau of Motor Vehicles on the Internet at www.oplates.com, by calling toll-free (888) 752-8373, or at any deputy registrar's office.
West Nile virus testing
GREENVILLE, Pa. -- State Sen. Bob Robbins of Greenville, R-50th, announced the approval of $72,211 in state funds to check for the presence of West Nile virus in Mercer County. Robbins said the grant, awarded to the Mercer County Conservation District, will be used to implement a mosquito monitoring and virus surveillance program to determine whether the virus is present in Mercer County and to assist in alerting residents about the potential threat. "There have been no cases reported this year in Mercer County, or anywhere in Pennsylvania," said Robbins.