Roads close for winter

Roads close for winter

YOUNGSTOWN — Effective Friday, some roads in Mill Creek Park will be closed for the winter: Chestnut Hill Drive, between Canfield Road and the Kirkmere Spur; High Drive, between the Kirkmere Spur and West Cohasset Drive; and Calvary Run Drive between Belle Vista and Milton avenues. Park roads are closed during the winter months for safety, recreational use, cost savings and environmental issues. All roads will reopen in the spring.

Crash injuries minor

BELOIT — An Alliance man suffered only minor injuries when his pickup truck was struck by a train, said fire Chief Larry Barnett. Tod Husat, 40, of South Freedom Avenue, was taken to Mercy Hospital in Canton with a broken leg, bumps and bruises, after the Monday evening crash, Barnett said, adding, “He’s really lucky. He should thank the Lord. He shouldn’t be here.” The crash happened off Main Street (state Route 165) just past 6:30 p.m. when Husat pulled his Dodge Dakota onto the tracks headed eastbound. The train, traveling westbound at 60 mph, slowed to 42 mph after the truck was spotted on the tracks, Barnett said. Husat, the chief said, was half on, half off the tracks, and the impact with the oncoming train dragged his vehicle about 50 yards. The accident is being investigated by Norfolk and Southern Railroad, Barnett added.

Man robs gas station

FARRELL, Pa. — McQuaid’s gas station on Division Street was robbed Tuesday, Southwest Mercer County Regional Police reported. Police said a man entered the store at 4:20 a.m. and claimed he had a gun. He threatened the clerk and demanded money. Anyone with information that might help police should call (724) 983-3720.

Bank robber wanted

The FBI is offering a $5,000 reward for information about a serial bank robber who started his spree Oct. 27 in Erie, Pa. The nine banks robbed in Ohio and Pennsylvania include National City Bank in Austintown on Nov. 3. Most of the banks are close to interstate highways. Each time, the suspect showed a demand note to a teller. The robber is a white male, 20 to 30 years old, 6 feet 3 inches to 6 feet 4 inches, thin build, 200 pounds and wearing various work-type dark coats and dark-colored ski caps or baseball caps and blue jeans. Anyone with information regarding the identity of the suspect is asked to call (216) 522-1400. All calls are kept confidential.

Niles offers flu shots

NILES — Niles Department of Health offers flu shots Monday through Friday without an appointment. Between 10 a.m. and 3 p.m., both residents and nonresidents may receive a flu shot at the department’s offices at 34 W. State St. The cost is $3 for children ages 3 through 18, and $20 for adults 19 and older. Medicaid, Medicare and the Anthem Senior Advantage card are accepted. Contact the department at (330) 544-9000, ext. 163, with any questions.

Man reports shots fired

WARREN — A 28-year-old city man told police that a man fired two to three gunshots at him Monday afternoon on Youngstown Road Southeast during a robbery attempt.

The victim said he was walking to a friend’s house near the intersection with Oak Knoll Avenue around 1:30 p.m. when a vehicle whipped into the parking lot and abruptly stopped.

A man got out of the car with a handgun and demanded money, the victim said, adding that he was on the outside steps of a building when the man fired two to three shots at him.

Police were unable to find any bullet holes in the steps or building and found no shell casings.