2 bridges to be replaced

2 bridges to be replaced

LISBON — The Ohio Department of Transportation District 11 will begin work next week to replace two bridges on state Route 154 in Elkrun Township, Columbiana County. Beginning Monday, state Route 154 will be reduced to one lane at the first bridge located near Pine Hollow Road just north of Elkton. One lane of alternating traffic will be maintained using temporary traffic signals. ODOT’s contractor for the $1.2 million project is Jet Excavating Co., from New Middletown. The completion date is June 30. The other structure, located just east of state Route 11, will not be replaced or restricted until next year.

Police: Lock vehicles

HERMITAGE, Pa. — Hermitage police are reminding residents to lock their vehicles and not to leave purses or wallets in their cars overnight. Police said numerous cars were broken into overnight from Monday to Tuesday. Wallets, compact discs, stereo equipment and other things were taken. All the cars were unlocked and parked on several streets in the middle part of Hermitage. Among the streets targeted were Highland Avenue, Smith Avenue, South Oakdale Boulevard and Parkview Boulevard.

Water district event

YOUNGSTOWN — An open house will be from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Sept. 29 at Mahoning Soil & Water Conservation District, 850 Industrial Road. The community will be updated about programs offered to assist county residents and landowners. MSWCD can provide education and assistance in promoting stewardship of natural resources for city and country residents for all generations. Call (330) 740-7995 for details.

Ballot wording OK’d

COLUMBUS (AP) — Attorney General Marc Dann approved the ballot language Tuesday proposed by consumer advocates who want to repeal a wide-ranging law that places limits on consumer fraud lawsuits. Gov. Ted Strickland had vetoed the bill in January, but the action was overturned by the Ohio Supreme Court last month. Dann said the ballot language was a “fair and truthful statement” of the referendum’s intent. Consumer advocates are trying to gather enough signatures on petitions to place the measure on the November 2008 ballot.

Marijuana sweep

LISBON — Authorities seized about 125 suspected marijuana plants Monday, in part through use of a helicopter from the Ohio Department of Transportation. Charges are pending in three of the seizures, according to Detective Dan Downard, director of the Columbiana County Drug Task Force. Plants were found near Monroeville Heights near Salineville; McCracken Road in Salem Township; state Route 558 near Franklin Square; Salem Grange Road; and two locations on state Route 45 south of Salem. One location on Route 45 led to the discovery of an indoor growing operation.

2 arrested in break-in

YOUNGSTOWN — Two men seen with tires still on rims — with three of the tires being pushed in a wheelbarrow — were arrested on the South Side around 10:30 p.m. Monday after a break-in at The Auto Shop on East Indianola Ave., police said. James O. Leach, 50, of East Auburndale Avenue, and Joseph Daviduk, 30, of Hartzell Avenue, are charged with breaking and entering and possession of criminal tools. On Rush Boulevard, Daviduk was spotted pushing a wheelbarrow with three tires and a radiator inside it and Leach was nearby rolling one tire, police said. Officers found the fence cut at the business. Missing were a radiator and four wheels from a 1992 Cadillac.

Held in homicide case

WARREN — A city man arrested this weekend on a murder charge is now being held in the Trumbull County Jail without bond. Mario Sellers, 22, pleaded innocent Monday to a murder charge. He is accused of gunning down 33-year-old Joseph Daniel outside Benji Brown's bar in July. Daniel was shot several times in front of witnesses after leaving the bar July 29.