House fire investigated

House fire investigated

HOWLAND — A fire Wednesday night at 9572 Howland Springs Road S.E. caused $80,000 in loss to the residence and $45,000 to its contents, and is under investigation by Howland Fire Department. The fire department responded about 10 p.m. to the call; the owner was not present. The Red Cross was notified for lodging for the owner. One firefighter was treated at the scene for minor smoke inhalation.

Arrested in robbery

BOARDMAN — Police arrested a 34-year-old Youngstown woman on a robbery charge. About 12:30 p.m. Wednesday police were called to Family Dollar, Market Street, on a report of a woman shoplifting. A store employee told police that she confronted Julie Lay of Ellenwood Avenue as Lay tried to leave the store with health and beauty products she hadn’t paid for. The employee locked the front door of the store to prevent Lay from escaping but unlocked it to allow another customer to enter. The employee told police that Lay slammed her into the door and tried to run and on the sidewalk outside, the employee grabbed Lay, and Lay kicked the employee.

Looking to help out

NEW CASTLE, Pa. — Lawrence County commissioners have instructed the county’s emergency management director to see if the county can offer any assistance to areas of Northeast Ohio hit by hard rains and flooding. Commissioner Steve Craig said he’s asked that the Pennsylvania emergency officials be contacted to determine if western counties, such as Lawrence, can offer assistance across the state line. “We’re ready for a disaster here. Why not use our people,” Craig said.

Cream spill on Route 60

WEST MIDDLESEX, Pa. — A truck driver who fell asleep and spilled 6,000 gallons of cream on Pa. Route 60 was cited for careless driving. Pennsylvania State Police also charged Dean Moose, 46, of New Wilmington, with not using his restraint systems. Police said Moose was traveling west at 5:14 a.m. Wednesday when he fell asleep and his 2006 Freightliner went into the grass median. He tried to regain control, but the truck rolled to its side. Emergency workers had the spill, which was five miles from Interstate 80, cleared by noon Wednesday.

Repair on Route 45

WELLSVILLE — Ohio Department of Transportation District 11 will begin repair work next week on a landslide along state Route 45 just outside of Wellsville in Columbiana County that has reduced the road to one lane since late April. With the winter season quickly approaching and the need for more complex construction plans to be designed, “we felt it was necessary to begin temporary repair work immediately to stabilize Route 45, so it can be reopened to two lanes before winter,” said District 11 Deputy Director Dick Bible. Officials expect this work to be completed within six week, and Route 45 reopened to two lanes. One lane of traffic will continue to be maintained with temporary traffic signals during this work. Long-term permanent repairs are still planned at this site but will not occur until next year.

Fire department grant

LOWELLVILLE — The volunteer fire department has been awarded an $88,650 grant through the U.S. Department of Homeland Security. Lowellville was one of 11 municipal fire departments in Ohio to receive funding through the department’s Assistance to Firefighters Grants Program. Capt. Al Boggia said the money will be used for new safety equipment, including air packs. The 17-man, all-volunteer department has been using air packs that are as old as 15 years, he said. “Our stuff is old; it has holes in it, it’s contaminated,” he said. “Anything that burns in a fire gets into your gear and starts breaking it down.” The money is particularly appreciated at a small operation such as Lowellville, said Boggia, where the department relies on a budget of about $48,000 per year, he said.

Orthopedic Health Day

YOUNGSTOWN — Forum Health Orthopedic Services at Northside Medical Center is offering a free community workshop Saturday designed to education people about advancements in orthopedic care. Orthopedic Health Day, from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Northside’s Medical Education Building, 500 Gypsy Lane, will focus on the latest advancements in technology, facts about joint replacement, effective treatments and groundbreaking orthopedic care to improve quality of live and help people lead a more active lifestyle. Orthopedic physicians, nurses and health professionals, and former patients who have experienced joint replacement surgery will be on hand to answer questions. Educational sessions are arthroscopy by Dr. Michael Stanich at 9:30 a.m., sports medicine by Dr. Joseph Stefko at 10:30 a.m., total knee replacement by Dr. Raymond Duffett at 11:30 a.m., and total hip replacement by Dr. Michael Miladore at 12:30 p.m.