Metro Digest

Gas-line repairs continue

YOUNGSTOWN — Crews from Dominion East Ohio estimate that gas-line and pavement repairs to Midlothian Boulevard after the 2 a.m. Monday high-pressure gas main rupture near I-680 will continue for the rest of the week.

Once the repairs are completed, the eastbound lanes of Midlothian and the exit ramp from I-680 southbound to Midlothian eastbound should reopen, the Ohio Department of Transportation said late Tuesday.

Monday’s natural-gas explosion caused a 90-minute precautionary evacuation of area residents, produced an 8-foot-deep by 16-foot-wide crater, and forced the gas company to replace a 40-foot section of the 16-inch steel gas main.

Cause of death pending

WARREN — The Trumbull County coroner has found nothing so far to indicate that Tracy L. Rupert, 41, of 160 East Royal Mall Drive in Niles died as a result of homicide.

Her body was found by a neighbor in a vacant house at 682 Mercer Street Northeast at around noon Friday. Officers will treat the case as a homicide until Dr. Germaniuk tells them otherwise, said Sgt. Jeff Cole of the Warren Police Department.

Dr. Humphrey Germaniuk, Trumbull County coroner, said the cause and manner of death for Rupert is pending additional tests.

Teen charged

CANFIELD — A 15-year-old Canfield High School student was charged by police in connection with providing prescription pills to other students.

The boy, of Herbert Road, was charged Friday with delinquency by way of dangerous drugs after he told police he gave seven Pristiq pills, which are antidepressants, to another male juvenile.

An investigation began last week after the school district’s officer, Paul Lasky, was given information by another student who said he witnessed the exchange, according to police reports.

The boy told police he stole the pills from his mother’s prescription bottle. He was released to his mother’s custody.

MetroParks meeting

CANFIELD — A special meeting of the Board of Park Commissioners of Mill Creek MetroParks has been scheduled for 1 p.m. today in the conference room at the administration office on state Route 46.

The only item on the agenda is labor negotiations, in executive session.

Intruders break pipes

YOUNGSTOWN — Intruders broke two holes in the rear concrete wall of the Auto Zone store at 129 S. Meridian Road about 2:30 a.m. Tuesday and cut the copper water pipes in that wall, causing water to flood the business, police said.

Officers responding to the burglar alarm noticed a 1-by-1-foot hole and a nearby 2-foot-5-inch by 2-foot-5-inch hole in the wall, and police said the intruders entered through the larger hole.

The intruders also cut electrical wires in a metal box on the side of the building and pried open a wooden closet, where they cut the alarm wires and pulled an alarm battery from the wall.

Police found no suspects inside the store.

The store manager said it did not appear that anything was taken.

Waterline break

CANFIELD — There was a waterline break Tuesday morning in the southbound lane on state Route 11. The water tanks are full, but residents are being asked by the city to conserve water for the first 24 hours.

No boil alert is in effect.