Road closing postponed

Road closing postponed

AUSTINTOWN — The earlier announced closure of Kirk Road over state Route 11 has been postponed until Monday, the Ohio Department of Transportation said. The bridge was originally scheduled to close July 14.

The detour will be Raccoon Road to New Road to state Route 46. This work is part of a $7 million project to re-deck and paint bridges over state Route 11 at Mahoning Avenue and Western Reserve, Kirk, and New roads. The entire project is scheduled to be completed by late August 2009.

Missing safe reported

YOUNGSTOWN — A loss greater than $10,000 was reported when a safe disappeared from a house on the 500 block of West Woodland Avenue. There was no sign of forced entry. The residents returned from a two-week vacation Wednesday to find the safe missing. It also contained two handguns, jewelry and bank documents.

Parks plan farm fun day

CANFIELD — The Mill Creek MetroParks Farm is inviting families across the Mahoning Valley to come out for a free “Farm Jubilee” from 3 to 6 p.m. Saturday. The event is being called an “Old Fashioned Summer Day” and will have activities such as croquet, badminton and checkers on the porch. Participants will also have a chance to hand-churn ice cream and sample their product.

“We wanted a chance to go back 20 years ago when there weren’t iPods and video games and kids could be found playing outside on a hot summer day,” said Brenda Markley, agricultural programs manager at the farm. Traditional farming activities, such as shelling peas and petting the livestock, will also be performed. The MetroParks Farm is at 7574 Columbiana-Canfield Rd., off Route 46.

Terminated teacher sues

WARREN — A dismissed substitute teacher is suing Warren schools and its superintendent for wrongful termination.

The suit was filed Tuesday on behalf of the Rev. Alton L. Merrel Sr., of Warren, against the Warren Board of Education and Superintendent Kathryn Sue Hellweg.

Merrel claims the firing was a breach of his teaching contract and was without a hearing by the board.

Merrel is seeking $2,800 in lost wages and $25,000 in damages from the board; he is also suing Hellweg for $25,000 in damages. She would not comment on the lawsuit.

Sharon burglary wave

SHARON — City police are reporting a series of burglaries in a 10-block area within the last week.

Five house burglaries have occurred between midnight and 4 a.m. between the 300 and 800 blocks of Stambaugh, Sherman, Cedar and Spruce avenues, said Sharon Police Chief Michael Menster.

The burglar has entered through unlocked windows, sometimes while people were sleeping inside, Menster said.

Items that were stolen include computers, TVs, jewelry, purses and wallets. In two cases, the burglar found car keys and stole cars. One of the cars was recovered in Farrell, the other in New Castle.

Enforcing smoking bans

LISBON — The Columbiana County Board of Health has voted to end its enforcement of smoking regulations.

Board President Shawn Apple said Thursday that the program will be turned over to the state of Ohio for enforcement. No date for the change was set.

He estimated the program began about 17 months ago when new regulations went into effect to limit smoking in bars and restaurants.

Apple said, “We can’t afford to do it.”

If a hearing is held on a complaint, the board of health has to have an attorney present at a cost of $200 an hour.

Firemen’s fest planned

GREENFORD — The 63rd annual Green Township Firemen’s Festival will be at 5 p.m. Aug. 2 on the lawn at the Greenford School. There will be drawings for prizes such as a mountain bike, patio furniture, and a stereo, among others. Proceeds go to benefit the fire department.