City council to revisit fireworks proposal

City council to revisit fireworks proposal
YOUNGSTOWN -- After initially rejecting legislation to provide fireworks for a New Year's Eve event, city council will again consider the proposal next week.
Council has set a special meeting for noon Tuesday in council chambers to again consider the ordinance to provide 5,000 for a midnight fireworks display during First Night Youngstown.
The New Year's Eve event, now in its seventh year in the city, is promoted as an alcohol-free, family-friendly fete.
Earlier this week, council rejected the ordinance by a 4-3 vote.
Three of those who opposed it said they didn't receive information from the group on its budget, and that they wanted more accountability. A fourth councilman was concerned that the event might deter people who want to drink at the bars and restaurants downtown from coming to the city that night.
Juveniles vandalizeChristmas displays
YOUNGSTOWN -- Noises on a porch in the 900 block of Sherwood Avenue were made by four or five boys who mauled an electric reindeer and broke several of its strings of lights about 10:15 p.m. Thursday, police said. The resident who heard the sounds saw a small white car speed off and then stop down the street. The juveniles got out of the car and trashed another Christmas display by lacerating an inflatable Santa, police said.
Boy shot in house; small children were near
YOUNGSTOWN -- Gunshots aimed at 68 Brooklyn Ave. struck 13-year-old Cedric Howard in his right side and buttocks as he stood by the front door around 10:30 p.m. Thursday, police said. He was taken to St. Elizabeth Health Center.
Police found several bullet holes throughout the house, including in the front door. Several small children were in the living room at the time of the shooting, police said. Two cars in the area were also struck by gunfire. No suspects were seen.
At 1 a.m. Friday, a 12-year-old East Judson Avenue boy sitting on a couch and watching TV heard gunshots and glass breaking. He told police that one of the bullets that came through the front window went right over his head and into the wall. He didn't see who fired.
Suspects arrested
NILES -- Three people were taken into custody in a break-in at P & amp;A Super Pawn Brokers, 5340 Youngstown-Warren Road, in which eight to 10 guns were taken Friday morning. Police Capt. Chuck Wilson said a Niles man and a man and woman from McKinley Heights were arrested. They will be charged Tuesday. The two men remain in the city jail, and the woman was released.
Wilson said two men riding in a red pickup truck broke into the pawn shop by breaking a front-door window before 6:30 a.m. and made off with the firearms. Witnesses got a description of the men's clothing. Police received a tip that the truck was at the Royal Arms Apartments. Later in the morning, police spotted the three walking along the street at Arlington Avenue and Smith Street.
One of the men was carrying firearms in a pillow case. Wilson said guns were recovered but did not know if these were all of the firearms.
Drug, driving charges
STRUTHERS -- A Poland man pleaded innocent to possession of drugs and driving under suspension Friday in Struthers Municipal Court.
Joel Ragan, 34, was released from the Struthers Police Department on 2,000 bond Thursday after being arrested at a traffic stop. The officers found large and small bags containing a substance believed to be marijuana.
They also discovered that Ragan has seven open license suspensions, and has had 18 suspensions on his record. Ragan waived the right to a speedy trial and will be represented next year by a court-appointed attorney.
Delivery man robbed
YOUNGSTOWN -- A delivery man from Chicago told police he was robbed at gunpoint around 4 a.m. Friday when he attempted to make a delivery at Youngstown Flower Supply, 150 W. Rayen Ave. The 43-year-old driver said he was punching in the access code to get into the building when a man got out of a cargo van, put a gun to his head and ordered him to the ground. The gunman and two more suspects went through the driver's pockets and took 400, then took an additional 500 from his truck, reports show. The driver waited an hour before calling police, saying he first called his boss in Chicago.