Metro Digest

Possible trial delay

WARREN — The trial set for Dec. 1 in Trumbull County Common Pleas Court in a civil suit filed against the city of Cortland over the death of a 16-year-old girl might be delayed by concerns over a witness.

William D. Thompson, administrator of the estate of Cassandra N. Thompson of Kinsman, filed the suit, naming the city and Patrolman Jason Smith as defendants after Cassandra Thompson died July 25, 2006, from being struck by the cruiser driven by Smith.

Atty. Craig G. Pelini, representing the city, told visiting judge Thomas P. Curran of Cuyahoga County during a hearing Friday that he recently received a copy of a report by a toxicologist retained to testify on behalf of the family regarding the results of blood tests done on the girl’s body. Pelini said he needs time to formally interview the toxicologist, and there are only eight business days left before the trial date to do that.

He will notify Judge Curran’s bailiff by Tuesday whether that is enough time or whether the trial date needs to be delayed, Pelini said.

Brunner to speak

The public is invited when Ohio Secretary of State Jennifer Brunner, a Democratic candidate in the 2010 U.S. Senate race, speaks at the Democrats of the 17th and 6th Districts meeting at 7 p.m. Tuesday at Poland Community Baseball Association building on Sheridan Road. The club is co-sponsoring the meeting with the North County Democrats.

The meeting will follow Brunner’s afternoon appearance at Trumbull Career and Technical Center in Champion, where she is expected to encourage students to register to vote in 2010 and to reinforce the fact that Ohioans who will be 18 by Nov. 2, 2010, will be eligible to vote in the May 2010 primary, even if they are still 17. Those voters wll be allowed to vote for candidates but not issues.

Bowling night for charity

BOARDMAN — The Beta Pi Chapter of Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity is having a bowling night to raise money for food for the community and for the Joe Kaluza Foundation.

Kaluza, former manager of the KFC on South Avenue, was shot during a robbery in 2008. He is paralyzed.

The fundraiser is set from 9 p.m. to 1 a.m. Thursday at Camelot Lanes, 628 Boardman-Canfield Road. Everyone is welcome.

A donation of $8 per person includes a full night of bowling and free shoes. Hot dogs, pizza and pop will be available for 25 cents. There also will be a 50-50 raffle.

Helping the hungry

NEWTON FALLS — The Newton Falls Police Department will help feed the hungry this Christmas with a fundraiser from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Dec. 19 at the police station, 19 N. Canal St.

The department’s goal is to fill a cruiser with nonperishable foods that will be turned over to needy families. The department’s school-resource officer will work with Newton Falls schools to determine which families need help.

For more information, call (330) 872-5757.