Metro digest

Jury to hear sex charge

GIRARD — A sexual battery charge against a former Brookfield middle-school coach is expected to go to a Trumbull County grand jury.

The charge against George Swogger, 24, of West Liberty Street, Hubbard, was dismissed Wednesday in Girard Municipal Court, but Robert Johnson, the city prosecutor, said he expects to present the case to a grand jury in coming weeks.

Swogger had been accused of sexual battery of a girl under age 16.

Swogger had been employed by Brookfield schools last year on a supplemental contract as an assistant middle-school track coach. He served in that capacity only and worked with middle-school boys and girls during track season, school officials said. The contract was not renewed this year.

Mahoning Ave. reopens

NORTH JACKSON — Mahoning Avenue between the Ohio Turnpike and state Route 45 in Jackson Township reopened to traffic Wednesday.

The culvert replacement work, scheduled to be completed Friday, was finished earlier than expected, said Mahoning County Engineer Richard Marsico.

Man injured in explosion

LISBON — A man was in critical condition Wednesday in St. Elizabeth Health Center, Youngstown, after being injured in an explosion in the village’s industrial park.

Robert Coleman Jr., 57, of Grant Street, Lisbon, was cutting scrap aluminum at HMF Recycling, 38000 Industrial Park Road, about 12:50 p.m. Tuesday.

A co-worker said there was an explosion. Coleman sustained injuries to his head, neck and leg. He was flown to St. Elizabeth.

The Columbiana County Sheriff’s office is handling the investigation.

$5,000 for seniors group

BROOKFIELD — The Trumbull County commissioners gave members of the Over The Hill Gang senior-citizens organization a one-time $5,000 distribution of senior-services levy money Wednesday.

A check presentation was made at the Brookfield Fire Station on state Route 7 north of state Route 82, where the group meets once a month for four hours in the banquet room in the back of the fire station.

Jean Kozarich, president of the group, said the money would be used to purchase a sound system, electric bingo machine and chairs.

The organization was created in October 2007 and sees 80 to 100 people at each meeting, which usually includes lunch, a speaker and recreational and social activities.

Electric to be shut off

STRUTHERS — City officials said that at noon Monday, electrical power temporarily will be shut off for the purpose of the city’s Fifth Street culvert project.

Electric will be off at Fifth Street and West Spring Street and south of Spring Street and west of Fifth to Youngstown-Poland Road, according to a press release by Edward H. Wildes, safety-service director.

The electric will be turned back on at 3 p.m., Wildes said.

Life Skills open house

YOUNGSTOWN — There will be an open house from noon to 5 p.m. Friday for prospective students and parents at Life Skills Center of Youngstown, 3405 Market St., a charter high school serving students age 16 to 21.

Life Skills utilizes an academic model that features a combination of computer-based curriculum and one-on-one support from teachers. The school has two commencement ceremonies annually, with many of the graduates going on to technical school, community college, service in the military or the work force.

Oral-rabies vaccination

HARRISBURG — The annual oral-rabies vaccination baiting program, which helps control rabies in wild animals, is under way in 14 western Pennsylvania counties, said Agriculture Secretary Dennis Wolff.

The program covers all or parts of Allegheny, Armstrong, Beaver, Butler, Crawford, Erie, Fayette, Greene, Indiana, Lawrence, Mercer, Venango, Washington and Westmoreland counties.

Since early August, employees have been spreading vaccine bait packs by hand in densely populated areas of northwestern Pennsylvania. The vaccine pack is coated or placed inside fishmeal bait.