METRO DIGEST

Traffic rerouted

BOARDMAN — Police and fire crews rerouted traffic along U.S. Route 224 near South Avenue for a short time Thursday because of a gas line ruptured by construction workers.

The Ohio Department of Transportation is working to widen Route 224 with the addition of right-turn lanes from Boardman Park Drive to just west of South. Crews struck a 1-inch line that ODOT said was mismarked, said fire Chief James Dorman. Dominion East Ohio workers arrived to fix the problem.

The Long John Silver’s restaurant near the intersection was closed because of gas inside. A gas station and McDonald’s also near the intersection voluntarily shut down while the work was done.

Three arrested

BOARDMAN — Federal immigration officials arrested three Chinese nationals at a restaurant Wednesday because they were living in the country illegally, a spokesman said.

The U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement agency arrested two men and one woman at the Asuka Japanese Cuisine restaurant, 7381 Market St., after the three ignored orders to leave the country, said Khaalid Walls, the agency’s spokesman.

Walls said the two men were tried in a New York court and the woman was tried in Cleveland immigration court. All three were said to be living in the country illegally.

The agency will neither identify the three immigrants nor give details of the case because they do not face criminal charges and because of privacy concerns, Walls said.

Board grants raises

STRUTHERS — The board of education recently granted raises to administrators. The superintendent, principals and head of the district’s special-education services are getting 2 percent raises starting in August, said Michael Evanson, district treasurer.

The raises are the same as teachers’ raises under their new contract, which was finalized in June, he said.

Current salaries are: Superintendent Bob Rostan, $89,500; two high school principals, Joe Fuline and Mary Ann Meadows, $73,093; middle school principal Sandy Mislevy, $73,093; elementary principal Pete Pirone, $69,633; and special education services head Lori Saunders, $67,247.

3 face drug charges

LISBON — Three people from Youngstown face charges of trafficking in drugs after a raid Tuesday at the Leetonia Shell Mart, 311 Columbia St.

Earl K. Watson III, 28, of Parkwood Avenue; Geraldine Lockett, 59, of Boston Street, and Harriet Blair, 57, of Boston Street, were charged by a task force of federal, county and local law-enforcement officials.

Erik J. Kochanowski, a special agent with the federal Drug Enforcement Administration, said Oxycontin pills and half an ounce of heroin were seized.

Blair was charged with having a small amount of marijuana, police said.

Outreach program

YOUNGSTOWN — There will be a Spirit of Giving Outreach Program from noon to 6 p.m. today at Chaney High School, 731 S. Hazelwood Ave. Free food, clothing and books will be provided to those in need.

There also will be a free Chinese auction, a performance by the Youngstown Connection and a blood-donation drive. A photo ID is required for the blood drive.

The program is sponsored by 22 organizations, including the Chaney Key Club, Mahoning County volunteers and resources from numerous county service agencies.

Senior fair

CANFIELD — The Mahoning County Sheriff’s Office Senior Service Unit will sponsor a Senior Fair from noon to 5 p.m. Saturday at Emmanuel Community Church, 6512 Kirk Road. There will be a free picnic for those 60 and older. Information on local service providers — agencies, businesses and organizations — will be available.

Musical entertainment will be provided by Take II. There also will be bingo and door prizes. For directions, call the church at (330) 799-6187.