Death of West Branch student deemed natural

Death of West Branch student deemed natural

MASSILLON — The sudden death of a West Branch High School student at a track meet last month was a natural death, the Stark County coroner’s office said. Ryan Johnson, 17, and a junior at the school, collapsed April 15 after running his leg of the 4x800-meter relay race at the school. He died at Alliance Community Hospital.

The coroner’s office said the boy had a small area of endocarditis, an inflammation of the lining or valves, in a crucial area of the heart. This was caused by a recent past infection. Endocarditis in that area itself is enough to cause an acute fatal cardiac arrhythmia, but it also combined with the release of chemicals into the blood caused by strenuous exercise, causing Ryan’s death. Ryan was the son of Roy and Linda Johnson of Damascus.

Outstanding Sanitarian Award winner chosen

YOUNGS-TOWN — Richard Setty, director of Environment Health at the Mahoning County District Board of Health, has been named 2008 winner of the Ray B. Watts Outstanding Sanitarian Award.

The honor is given by the Ohio Environmental Health Association for continued efforts in the field of environmental health.

Setty, a registered sanitarian, graduated from Wright State University in 1976 with a bachelor of science degree in environmental health, and has spent more than 30 years in environmental services.

The award is named after longtime chief of the Bureau of Environmental Health for the Ohio Department of Health. It has been given out since 1956 and honors those in the field of environmental health for their years of excellence and outstanding contributions.

Boy, 15, charged with shooting at other teens

YOUNGSTOWN — A 15-year-old Magnolia Avenue boy suspected of shooting at a group of kids walking on Bennington Avenue was arrested Tuesday evening and given a gunshot residue test before being taken to the Martin P. Joyce Juvenile Justice Center to face a charge of felonious assault, police said.

The mother of a 14-year-old girl told police that she heard yelling and then saw the suspect run through her yard with a gun. She said the boy admitted shooting at her daughter and nephews.

The boy, who was caught on McBride Street, told police he fired at other juveniles he was fighting with. Although he said he tossed a handgun in an open field, it was not found, police said. No one was injured.

Delay in trash pickup

GIRARD — There will be a one-day delay in trash pickup throughout the city because of Memorial Day. Trash should be placed at the curb Friday evening for Saturday collection.

A case of road rage

BAZETTA — Jessica Bova, 21, of Peach Lane, Warren, was arrested Tuesday evening and charged with felonious assault after an encounter that police described as road rage.

Bova is accused of striking another vehicle operated by a Southington man in the Wal-Mart parking lot, said Chief Charles W. Sayers.

Witnesses reported that Bova almost struck several pedestrians during the attack on the man, a stranger to her. She is in the Trumbull County Jail on a $100,000 bond.

Pressure equalization

BOARDMAN — A Youngstown Water Department pressure equalization station on Shields Road will go into service today.

It will affect customers in the area bounded by Tippecanoe Road, Mill Creek Park, Sherwood Forest and Lockwood Boulevard.

Fluctuating water pressures may be experienced during the next several days. If customers have installed a pressure-regulating valve in their house, adjustments may be required.