Forum for candidates

Forum for candidates

YOUNGSTOWN — 7th Ward Citizens Coalition will host a candidates forum at 7 tonight at Word of Grace Church, 2734 Mount Vernon Ave. The forum is for contested races for Mahoning County commissioner, common pleas judge, sheriff, coroner, prosecutor and treasurer.

Sobriety checkpoint

A sobriety checkpoint will be from 10 p.m. Friday until 2 a.m. Saturday in Mahoning County by members of the Mahoning County Operating Vehicle Impaired Task Force.

Break-in hearings set

CORTLAND — Preliminary hearings are scheduled for Monday for two Warren men who may be responsible for as many as eight break-ins in Bazetta and Champion townships.

Wayne B. Mitchell, 27, of Adelaide Avenue, and Brandon S. Mitchell, 21, of South Fedderle Drive, appeared Wednesday before Judge Thomas Campbell of Trumbull County Central District Court, who also set their bonds at $40,000 each. They remain in the county jail. Each is charged with one count of breaking and entering, attempted breaking and entering, aggravated trespass and resisting arrest.

The two, whose relationship is not known by police, were captured by police after a four-and-a-half-hour foot chase throughout Bazetta Township. Police said they may be responsible for break-ins of homes and garages.

City cemetery cleanup

GIRARD — The city cemetery has scheduled a spring cleanup through March 10. All Christmas decorations that aren’t removed from the graves before March 10 will be removed by cemetery employees in preparation for Memorial Day.

New English office site

MERCER, Pa. — The Mercer County district office of U.S. Rep. Phil English of Erie, R-3rd, has moved to 749 Greenville Road, Suite 200, in Mercer. Office hours are 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday. The new phone number is (724) 662-3222, and the new fax number is (724) 662-2796.

Fair seeks entertainers

LISBON — The Columbiana County Fair is inviting any local bands, vocalists or musicians who would like to perform for free this year at the fair. All participants will receive free general admission tickets. The performers would appear on the midway stage. Times are available July 28 through Aug. 3. People should call the office at (330) 424-5531 to schedule the time and date of their performance.

Ride to polls offered

YOUNGSTOWN — The Community Mobilization Committee will sponsor a candidates forum at 6:30 p.m. Monday at New Bethel Baptist Church, 1507 Hillman St., with the Rev. K.L. Simon as host pastor. Candidates for county sheriff, prosecutor, treasurer, commissioner, probate judge and common pleas judge have been invited. Youngstown city school levy and WRTA sales tax will be discussed. The primary election is March 4 with voting from 6:30 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. If you need a ride to the polls, call Associated Neighborhood Center at (330) 744-4377, New Bethel at (330) 747-2125 or Organizacion Civica y Cultural Hispana Americana at (330) 781-1808. Rides will be available from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Flood insurance issues

YOUNGSTOWN — Youngstown Department of Public Works announces a public comment period on recently updated flood insurance studies and flood insurance rate maps by the Federal Emergency Management Association within the city limits. Documents and maps are available for public viewing from now until March 20 in the Department of Public Works, fifth floor, City Hall, 26 S. Phelps St., from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Friday.

Public comments on nontechnical information contained in the study will be received in writing until 4 p.m. March 20.

Business robbed

AUSTINTOWN — Two men took $3,841 during a robbery at Purpose Money, a cash-advance business at 5223 Mahoning Ave., on Tuesday morning.

An employee told police two men came in the store about 11:11 a.m. with one of them demanding money and carrying a black drawstring bag. The other man stayed at the front door.

The men got away with money from one of two drawers at the counter and two of three safes. The employee said the man ordered her into the restroom and sprayed pepper spray in her face just before he left. He also took the store’s surveillance video, she said.