Mineral Ridge man pleads guilty to theft

Mineral Ridge man pleads guilty to theft

BOARDMAN — Albert B. Akins Jr., 54, of Webb Road, Mineral Ridge, has pleaded guilty in Mahoning County Area Court to petty theft, amended from grand theft, in a case that involved money missing from his employer’s vending machines, records show.

A judge sentenced Akins this week to 180 days in jail, with 150 days suspended. He was also placed on one year’s probation and ordered to make restitution of $11,155. He was told to report to the Mahoning County jail at 8 a.m. Monday.

The charge was filed last month.

K-9 patrols to continue at Eastwood Mall

NILES — It may take some getting used to seeing dogs inside Eastwood Mall, but the change might make the mall safer, mall officials say.

K-9 patrols were received positively the first Friday and Saturday they were deployed last weekend, and they are likely to continue, officials say.

The dogs are from Tri State Canine Services of Bazetta to provide drug detection and general police service, officials say. They will work alongside human handlers, especially on Friday and Saturday nights.

Employee clipped by car

YOUNGSTOWN — A man who provided a debit card to pay for gas backed his car into an employee at the Valley Service Center on Mahoning Avenue and sped off when the employee, after learning the card had been declined, went to approach the man Thursday evening, police said.

The car clipped the employee’s right forearm and left an abrasion. The driver had pumped $19 worth of gas before driving away around 6:45 p.m., police said.

Detectives were to review the station’s surveillance video.

Bus struck by object

YOUNGSTOWN — An unidentified object thrown at a city school bus Thursday night on South Avenue caused big dents, police said.

The driver said he heard a loud noise on the left side of the bus at 8:10 p.m. and then pulled into a parking lot to inspect the damage.

Officers didn’t find any suspects after checking the area.

South Side gunfire

YOUNGSTOWN — An argument over a girl spilled onto the streets on the South Side, and shots were fired just as a school bus was unloading late Thursday afternoon, police said.

The mother of the 22-year-old intended victim told police they were in the area of Avondale Avenue and Southern Boulevard when the gunfire erupted. A gunman started “spraying” the street with bullets, trying to hit her son, the mother said. Reports show his arm was grazed.

The mother told police that her son has been involved in a dispute with a 25-year-old man over a girl, and she figured they would eventually fight. She told police they don’t want to press charges.

Landfill-cleanup funding

WARREN — Trumbull County will receive funding to clean up two landfills.

State Reps. Tom Letson, D-Warren, and Sandra Stabile Harwood, D-Niles, announced about $600,000 in funding from the State Controlling Board for the cleanup.

The two sites were owned by Copperweld Steel in Warren. One of the landfills has been classified as having hazardous waste.

The Ohio Environmental Protection Agency will utilize the funding to provide the proper and safe closing of both landfills. Groundwater also will be monitored to ensure it is not contaminated by the hazardous waste.

Canfield band dinner

CANFIELD — Canfield Band Parents’ annual pasta dinner and Chinese auction will be from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. today in the high school cafeteria.

Takeouts will be available, and entertainment will be by the middle and high school bands.

Dinners include meatballs and sausage, salad, bread and butter, dessert and a beverage.

The cost for a large portion is $6, and for a small portion, $4. Tickets will be sold at the door.