Authorities eye $128,000

Authorities eye $128,000
YOUNGSTOWN -- Authorities want a local pharmacy to forfeit more than $128,000 that was seized in connection with what's being called a "significantly extensive" felony drug trafficking ring. Atty. Robert Duffrin, an assistant Mahoning County prosecutor, filed a civil petition for forfeiture of property Friday in common pleas court. Officers from Mahoning Valley Law Enforcement Task Force arranged undercover buys of Vicodin from an unidentified dealer who bought the pills wholesale from John Ekiert of Canfield, Duffrin wrote in his court filing. Ekiert owns Hometown Pharmacy on South Meridian Road. Officers served a search warrant March 7 at the pharmacy, seizing pills and money. Criminal charges are pending, Duffrin said.
Police plan 'prom blitz'
YOUNGSTOWN -- City police have scheduled a "prom blitz" with concentrated traffic enforcement today near The Rayen School; near Wilson High School for its prom on May 12; and near Chaney High School for its prom on May 19, said Detective Sgt. Rick Alli.
Business to re-open
BOARDMAN -- Mahoning County One-Stop, 149 Boardman-Canfield Road, will re-open for business at the Boardman Plaza Monday after smoke damage caused by the UPS fire in March forced it to close. It will be open from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday.
Join Hands Day
STRUTHERS -- City officials are joining with some 20 youth and adult organizations today in the fourth annual Join Hands Day. The event's purpose is to connect young people and adults through neighborhood volunteering and community service activities, Mayor Daniel C. Mamula said. Volunteers will meet at 8:30 a.m. at the Rotary Pavilion in Mauthe Park to get supplies and directions for projects such as cleaning up around Lake Hamilton and planting flowers and trees around the city.
Car, motorcycle event
LOWELLVILLE -- The first of a weekly car and motorcycle "Cruisin the River" event is from 6 to 9 p.m. Monday downtown. Sponsored by the Lowellville Business Association, the event will feature a classic car display on Water Street between McGill and Third streets, and a motorcycle display on Liberty Street between Second and Fourth streets. The event is free and open to the public. Anyone interested in displaying a vehicle or motorcycle should arrive by 6 p.m. Disc jockey Lee Martell will play starting at 6 p.m. on Water Street. There will be a 50/50 raffle to benefit the group's Lowellville High School scholarship program. Call (330) 536-8189 or (330) 536-8090 for information.
Store robbery reported
YOUNGSTOWN -- The manager at Revol, a retail store on South Avenue, told police the store was robbed at gunpoint around 7:30 p.m. Thursday.
Gold Star Award
YOUNGSTOWN -- The city's finance department received the Gold Star Award from the Ohio Public Employees Retirement System for reporting accuracy standards. "It's nice to know that outside organizations give you some credit when you get it right," said Finance Director David Bozanich.