‘Zero tolerance’ patrols

‘Zero tolerance’ patrols

YOUNGSTOWN — Police saturation patrols — the so-called “zero tolerance” patrols — have begun and will continue throughout the summer.

Mayor Jay Williams said intensified focus will be placed on crime-ridden “hot spots” while also maintaining the presence of community policing that has been of benefit to neighborhood groups.

Officers are working anti-gang details and vehicle theft details, Special Interdiction Patrols and mixed traffic enforcement.

Future phases will involve increased use of law enforcement technology, the mayor said.

The coordinated efforts involve city police, Mahoning County sheriff’s deputies, Ohio State Highway Patrol troopers, city and county prosecutors, federal and state law enforcement and community groups.

Fire in blast furnace

WARREN — No injuries were reported in a fire Tuesday night at a WCI Steel blast furnace in Warren Township. Firefighters and equipment from four fire departments were dispatched to the fire.

The Warren and Howland township fire departments were aided by the Warren city and Lordstown village fire departments. A Lordstown fire official said residents reported an explosion or noise, which may have been related to the blast furnace fire. A Trumbull County 911 dispatcher said the fire was reported about 7:45 p.m.

Beware of scam

HOWLAND — Police are warning of a new scam that is bilking people out of money.

Police Chief Paul Monroe said three residents have received e-mails in recent weeks notifying them that they are going to receive a check ranging from $2,500 to $4,000 drawn on either the Fifth-Third or Wells Fargo banks.

When a victim receives the check, he is instructed to deposit the check into his personal bank account and return a personal check for 90 percent of the face value of the original check to an address in western Ohio; Phoenix, Ariz.; or Florida.

The victims are responsible for the loss, Monroe said, not the financial institution.

Health fair planned

YOUNGSTOWN — New Beginnings Outreach Women’s Ministry, 322 Wick Ave., will sponsor its second annual health fair from 10 a.m. to noon Saturday. The event will feature blood pressure, diabetes and cholesterol testing and information on Alzheimer’s disease along with tips on exercise and food.

A “feast of salads” will be from noon to 1 p.m. Guest speaker at noon will be Dr. Darcy Lynn Grace, who has a family practice in Youngstown.

Death ruled a suicide

LEAVITTSBURG — The Trumbull County Coroner’s Office has ruled the death of a man causing a disturbance early Sunday as a suicide, saying he shot himself in the head.

Warren Township police said they were called by a resident of Raveloe Court, where a man said Russell Dye, 43, whose last known address was Meadow Drive, had a gun. Police said Dye fled and authorities later found Dye’s body behind a barn in the 4100 block of West Market Street. A handgun was beside him.

House burns in arson

YOUNGSTOWN — Firefighters discovered fires had been set in the attic, dining room, basement and second-floor landing of the vacant house at 217 E. Philadelphia Ave. on the South Side when they arrived at 6:15 p.m. Monday. A neighbor reported seeing two men leave the area just before smoke started coming from the two-story house. Damage was set at $7,000.

Town hall meeting

YOUNGSTOWN — Councilman John Swierz, D-7th, is sponsoring a town hall meeting at 6 p.m. Thursday at the OCCHA Hall, 3660 Shirley Road, for citizens in his ward. The event is hosted by the 7th Ward Citizens’ Coalition. Department heads will attend to answer questions.