Digital TV test planned

Digital TV test planned

YOUNGSTOWN — The Mahoning Valley’s three television stations will participate in a nationwide test from 7:31 p.m. to 7:36 p.m. Thursday to show viewers which TV sets are ready for the Feb. 17 transition to digital broadcasting.

It is the second time the Federal Communications Commission called for the test — the first was Dec. 17 — and a third test will also be held before the changeover.

During the test, stations will halt their analog signal for five minutes. Television sets that aren’t digital-ready will just get a message stating that the set needs to be upgraded to digital, either by hooking it up to a cable or satellite provider, or installing a digital converter box. A phone number will be shown where viewers can get information.

For more information, go to www.dtv2009.gov.

Robber takes purse

YOUNGSTOWN — A woman who pulled off Mahoning Avenue with a flat tire was robbed of her purse as she sat waiting for her son to arrive and fix the tire, police said.

The 40-year-old North Dunlap Avenue woman told police she had pulled into the parking lot of a tire shop near West Avenue around 10:20 p.m. Monday when a man approached and she lowered her window to speak to him. He told her the tire store was closed and then stuck a large knife through the crack in the window and demanded money, reports show.

The scared woman thought about getting out the passenger side but when he ran to that side she threw her purse to him. The man fled on foot and then got into a red, older-model car. The woman’s son arrived shortly after the robbery and pursued the man north on West Avenue but lost sight of the car in Mill Creek Park. The purse contained new makeup, cash and credit cards.

Youth leadership event

WARREN — Flying High Inc., of Youngstown will hold a “Let Your Potential Soar” youth leadership seminar from 12:30 to 7:30 p.m. Monday (Martin Luther King Jr. Day) at the Warren Western Reserve school building, 200 Loveless Ave.

The program will be similar to one held in Powers Auditorium in November.

Flying High is a 14-year-old nonprofit organization that holds such seminars to encourage kids to be leaders within their schools and communities so that they will make good choices and have a good future, said Jeff Magada, who founded the organization.

Special guests at the event will be “Frankie and Neffe” from the BET network’s Keyshia Cole reality program “The Way It Is.” Youth presenter will be Tehesha Hosey, a youth pastor from Metro Assembly, South Avenue, Youngstown.

The free event features food, music, art, poetry and break-out sessions on various topics. For more information, call (330) 797-3995.