Work on I-80 ramp

Work on I-80 ramp

AUSTINTOWN — Today, contractors will be working along the Interstate 80 westbound/state Route 46 entrance and exit ramps and there will be brief periods of stopped traffic on these ramps.

This work is part of a $91.5 million major widening and reconstruction project of I-80 between the Ohio Turnpike and the state Route 11 interchange. The project includes the reconstruction and replacement of the 2,500-foot twin bridges over the Meander Reservoir. The project is scheduled to be complete by October 2009.

Break-in on tape

AUSTINTOWN — A video surveillance tape of a break-in at Uni-Mart, state Route 46, shows two men entering the store by removing an entire glass panel and walking off with 300 to 400 cartons of cigarettes. The two were seen walking in the gas station parking lot and removing the window using a pry tool, without breaking it, at 2:40 a.m. Tuesday. They then removed the cigarettes in garbage bags.

The men, wearing clothing that covered their faces, exited the building two minutes later. The gas station is located just south of Interstate 80. Police were notified of an alarm drop at 2:46 a.m. and arrived at the gas station at 2:53 a.m.

Austintown break-ins

AUSTINTOWN — Two buildings on the grounds of the Austintown Youth Soccer League, 851 Ohltown Road, were broken into Sunday night or Monday morning with damage to a window, vent, phone line, and doors. Gasoline and four two-way radios were stolen from inside.

Gasoline was taken from a 5-gallon gas can and from a tractor. Damage was done to the contents of the concession stand when they were thrown on the floor. No estimate was given of the amount of damage and theft.

New food pantry opened

CAMPBELL — The local nonprofit charity Difference Makers Inc. has opened the Difference Makers Inc. Food Pantry to offer aid to local people struggling because of rising food and gas prices. The pantry is open from 11 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. every Wednesday and is located in St. Lucy/St. Rose Parish Center on Tenney Avenue.

The staff is made up of volunteers from around the community, and, in the first two weeks since its opening the pantry has served 187 area families. For more information about the Difference Makers Inc. Food Pantry or how to volunteer, contact Victor Buck at (330) 550-7736, or e-mail him at vicDMfoodpan@aol.com.

Police seek owner of safe

NEW MIDDLETOWN — Village police are looking for the owner of a safe found in a ditch on a village street.

Sgt. Vince D’Egidio said Monday a black Sentry safe with an electronic combination was found recently in a ditch at the intersection of Sandy and Meadowbrook drives.

He said the safe had been pried open and was empty. The Ohio Bureau of Criminal Identification and Investigation has been called to investigate. Anyone with information should call village police at (330) 542-2846.

New Lakeview principal

CORTLAND — The Lakeview Board of Education hired Richard Stevens as Lakeview High School principal for the 2008-09 school year. Stevens has been the high school’s assistant principal since 2001. He had taught mathematics in the district. Stevens had worked in the Joseph Badger and Champion school districts before teaching in Lakeview.

Also at its meeting Monday, the board named Nathan Sensabaugh as the new high school band director. Sensabaugh previously worked as band director in the Manchester School District in Akron.

Police hunt streaker

GIRARD — City police continue efforts to learn the identity of a man who ran nude through Liberty Park. Two witnesses told police they saw the man Sunday.