Working on bridges

Working on bridges

COLUMBIANA — The Ohio Department of Transportation’s District 11 has started work to repair two bridges on state Routes 14 and 164 in Columbiana County.

The $260,000 project also includes work on eight bridges located on state Routes 258, 39 and 516, U.S. Route 250, and Interstate 77 in Tuscarawas County.

To protect the bridges from deterioration, the steel-pipe piers will be encased with reinforced concrete, and rock channel protection will be placed along the base of these new encasements.

Most of this work will occur underneath the structures and have minimal impact to traffic, according to an ODOT press release.

ODOT’s contractor for this project is BCC Ohio Inc., from New London, and the completion date is mid-September.

$22,000 in fire damage

YOUNGSTOWN — Fire caused an estimated $22,000 damage to a house at 107 Steel St.

The fire was reported about 10:30 p.m. Thursday at the 21‚Ñ2-story wooden-frame home, and firefighters found strong flames upon arrival.

Neighbors reported that the house was vacant. No injuries were reported, and the blaze remains under investigation.

Traffic-enforcement blitz

CORTLAND — Officers at Mosquito Lake, Lake Milton and West Branch state parks will conduct a traffic-enforcement blitz through Sunday as a reminder to motorists to slow down and observe traffic safety laws in parks.

The effort is part of a statewide safety program initiated this summer for state parks.

The program will feature increased patrol activity by officers during all shifts through Sunday. Since parks attract a wide variety of visitors using the roads, traffic safety is a priority for park officers.

Watch for tow trucks

COLUMBUS — A new law means fines for Ohio drivers who don’t move over or slow down when there’s a tow truck along the side of the road.

One of several traffic laws in effect Wednesday is meant to protect tow-truck operators from passing motorists. First-time violators who don’t reduce speed or change lanes when they see a tow truck could be fined $300 and have to pay court costs. A second violation within a year brings a $500 fine.

Another change requires Ohio motorists to turn headlights on when they use windshield wipers in the rain.

There’s also a new law establishing transition zones when posted speed limits drop by 20 mph or more, to guard against speed traps.

Temporary closing

AUSTINTOWN — Mahoning County engineer’s office will close Turner Road between Gibson and Kirk roads to replace a culvert. Traffic will be detoured along Gibson, Lipkey and Kirk roads. Work begins Monday and is to be completed July 13.

Fair auto-race changes

BAZETTA — The wet weather this week has caused three of the four auto-racing events scheduled for Wednesday and Thursday at the Trumbull County Fair to be rescheduled for Sunday and a fourth event to be canceled.

The Late-Crate and E-Mod races set for Wednesday night have been rescheduled for 4 p.m. Sunday. The B.R.P. Modified races set for Thursday have been canceled, and the stock-car races set for Thursday have been rescheduled for 4 p.m. Sunday.

Brenda Richman, fair board financial secretary, said the three rescheduled events for Sunday will take place in a mixed way, with some of each being run for about three hours until the start of the demolition derby at 7 p.m. Fireworks are planned at the conclusion of the demolition derby, around 9:45 p.m.

Trumbull Co. 4-H Camp

CORTLAND — Trumbull County 4-H Camp will be July 26-Aug. 1.

The camp is open to anyone age 9 to 14. Campers need not belong to 4-H or be Trumbull County residents.

The camp will take place at Camp Whitewood, in Windsor, Ashtabula County. Cost is $225, which includes three meals a day and a snack, lodging in cabins with bunk beds, restrooms with flush toilets and showers nearby, and activities and crafts.

Registration forms are available at the OSU Extension office, located at 520 W. Main St. Suite 1 in Cortland (330) 638-6783 or go to http://trumbull.osu.edu/4H/camp. Registration applications are due by Thursday with a $75 deposit.