Rally for WRTA tax

Rally for WRTA tax

YOUNGSTOWN — Supporters of the 0.25 percent sales tax proposal to fund the Western Reserve Transit Authority will have a rally at 10 a.m. Thursday at the Chevrolet Centre on East Front Street. The tax on Tuesday’s ballot would be for five years with the proceeds, about $7.5 million annually, paying for a countywide transit system. Also, the Mahoning County Township Association declined to support the sales tax by a majority vote. The association “feels WRTA’s lack of vital information does not allow voters the opportunity to make an informed decision; and therefore, does not support this tax,” according to a statement it released.

Fire ruled arson

HOWLAND — A weekend fire at a private storage facility that caused an estimated $200,000 has been ruled arson. Assistant Fire Chief Tim Thomas said Tuesday that two of the storage buildings at Storage Zone, 3055 North River Road, had been broken into and fires set on the west sides of the buildings. Thomas said the ruling was made after consulting with the township police department and State Fire Marshal’s Office. The fires appeared suspicious when firefighters first arrived because the two structures were heavily engulfed. Also, a third building located next to the damaged structures and a similar distance apart was not damaged, Thomas explained.

Rings stolen from home

AUSTINTOWN — Three gold rings, each containing diamonds, were reported stolen from a home on Crabwood Drive on Monday. The resident reported that the thief broke in through a bedroom window and removed the rings from a jewelry box in the bedroom.

Teen faces drug charge

YOUNGSTOWN — Police arrested a 15-year-old West Florida Avenue boy on a drug trafficking charge after they chased him from a convenience store parking lot in the 3000 block of South Avenue on Monday evening. Officers with the Street Crimes Unit said the area is known for drugs and guns. At least eight juveniles were loitering in the lot when police arrived at 7:15 p.m. The 15-year-old boy ran, dropping a bag with four wrapped-for-sale bags of suspected crack cocaine, police said. He was caught just north of Avondale Avenue and taken to the Martin P. Joyce Juvenile Justice Center.

Facing weapon charge

YOUNGSTOWN — A 16-year-old East High School girl was arrested after a kitchen knife with a 3-inch blade was found in her purse, police said. The student was taken to the Martin P. Joyce Juvenile Justice Center on Monday to face a charge of illegal conveyance of a deadly weapon onto school property.

Homeowner cited

YOUNGSTOWN — The owner/occupant of a dilapidated house at 546 Parkwood Ave. that had its water shut off in February 2006 with a delinquent bill of $1,725 was cited by the housing code enforcement officer. James B. Tarver, 46, was arraigned Tuesday in municipal court on charges of discontinuance of a service and violation of exterior environmental requirements. He is scheduled to appear in housing court next Wednesday. He showed police on Monday that water comes from the faucet but police are treating it as an illegal hookup. Reports show the South Side house has broken windows, windows missing glass, siding falling off, peeling paint, missing back porch steps with rolls of carpet used as makeshift steps, a cracked foundation, crumbling chimney in danger of collapsing, trash, tires and debris in the yard, on both porches and alongside the structure.

Prison guard treated

YOUNGSTOWN — Yellow fluid squirted on a corrections officer from an inmate’s shampoo bottle smelled like urine, the Northeast Ohio Correctional Center guard told police. The corrections officer said he was passing a shower when the fluid sprayed into his face, eyes and mouth and on his uniform around 7:30 p.m. Monday. The guard was checked out by a nurse at the private prison on Hubbard Road and then went to a hospital for further treatment. City Prosecutor Jay Macejko said the prison will handle the matter internally. The prison houses federal inmates.

Brunch planned at church

YOUNGSTOWN — A faith-based brunch is planned from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Thursday at St. Andrewes African Methodist Episcopal Church, 521 W. Earle St., by the Obama for America Presidential Campaign. There will be a special guest speaker. To make a reservation by today, call (205) 965-3622 or (330) 744-2008 or send e-mail to meredithlilly@aol.com.

Darwin presentations

YOUNGSTOWN — “Darwin and Evolution” is the theme of three presentations planned from 2 to 3 p.m. Thursday at Bresnhan I and II in Kilcawley Center at Youngstown State University. This year is the 199th anniversary of the birth of Charles Darwin. Presentations will be: “Darwin, Dilettante? Great Scientist? Thief? — His Life, Adventures and the Origin of Species” by Dr. Heather Lorimer, associate professor of genetics; “The Scopes Trial” by Dr. Jodi Krontiris-Litowitz, professor of neuroanatomy; and “The Geologic Perspective on Evolution” by Dr. Shane Smith, assistant professor of geology.