Campaign office to open

Campaign office to open

BOARDMAN — The campaign of U.S. Sen. Barack Obama, the presumptive Democratic presidential nominee, will open an office Thursday here. The official grand opening of the office at 5020 Market St. is at 6:45 p.m. The office will serve as a hub for campaign activities for Mahoning County. The campaign opened an office in Warren on Saturday. There are more than 40 Obama offices in Ohio.

Ice cream truck robbed

WARREN — A gunman with a shirt over his face robbed an ice cream truck at Hayes Avenue and Second Street in the Southwest part of the city, Warren police said Tuesday. The operator of the Summer Town Sweet Treats ice cream truck told police that his assistant was helping a customer with a purchase when a second man walked up with a semi-automatic handgun and demanded money about 3:30 p.m. Monday. The assistant handed over a black drawer that served as a cash register holding about $7, and the two men ran off. No arrests have been made.

ReStore expands hours

STRUTHERS — Habitat for Humanity ReStore, 480 Youngstown-Poland Road, will have new, expanded hours beginning Aug. 27. The store will open 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Wednesday through Saturday and is open to the public.

The ReStore carries a wide variety of new and used building materials, furniture, office furniture, home decor items, large and small appliances, electronics, sporting goods, toys, books and more. All items are sold at low discount prices to the benefit of Habitat for Humanity’s home building mission. Call for more information, to donate, or to find out about volunteer opportunities, (330) 755-2232.

Bridge to get action

YOUNGSTOWN — The pedestrian bridge over Interstate 680 at Elberen Street will either be rehabilitated, removed or replaced, said Charles Shasho, deputy director of public works for the city. That determination was made after a public meeting Monday on the span.

A decision won’t be made until the end of this year or the beginning of 2009, he said. Some of the concrete on the bottom is starting to fall off and is a danger to vehicles driving underneath the structure, he noted.

Next month ODOT will conduct a pedestrian traffic count at various times of the day to see how many people use the bridge that connects Elberen Street to Roy Street, said Shasho.

About 15 people attended the meeting to share comments, and the city will continue to take comments from residents until Aug. 29. The city will provide ODOT with a summary of those concerns. Comments can be e-mailed to cshasho@cityofyoungstownoh.com or mailed to 26 S. Phelps St., Youngstown 44503.

School supplies needed

YOUNGSTOWN — The Jericho Project Street Ministry is looking for donated school supplies and uniforms for underprivileged children. Pastor Rafael Cruz acknowledged that donations have decreased while need for supplies has increased. The ministry is looking for all school supplies, including backpacks and uniforms. All donations should be taken to the Salvation Army location, 1501 Glenwood Ave., on the city’s South Side. For more information, contact the Salvation Army at (330) 746-8403 or Pastor Cruz at (330) 783-0117.

Poker run set Sunday

SEBRING — The 3rd Annual Freedom Walk and Poker Run will be Sunday. The run begins at the VFW Post #6730 on East Ohio Avenue here and finishes at the Harley Davidson Bike Town in Austintown.

Registration for the run begins at 9 a.m. and bikes leave at 11. After the run, there will be a party which will feature food, door prizes and live entertainment. Contact Robyn Lockner at (330) 238-6199, or visit www.coltonsfreedomwalk.com.