Metro digest

Probe: Fire was arson

YOUNGSTOWN — Fire investigators say arson was the cause of a South Side fire that destroyed a vacant convenience store. Jumpin’ Jack’s store at 2603 South Avenue went up in flames at 4:20 a.m. Wednesday. Firefighters to arrive at the building first could smell a strong odor of gasoline.

Alvin Ware, fire investigator, said the fire started in the rear kitchen area of the building. He said there was about $40,000 in damage to the building and its contents.

Case going to grand jury

AUSTINTOWN — The case of Timothy White, accused by police of beating his girlfriend’s daughter, will be presented to a Mahoning County grand jury.

White, 29, of Austintown, signed a waiver of pretrial hearing Wednesday at Mahoning County Area Court in Austintown. Judge Diane Vettori continued White’s $500,000 bond.

White was arrested Friday afternoon by township police outside his Compass West apartment, where he lived with the 23-month-old girl and her mother. Detective Sgt. Ray Holmes said White caused the child serious injury over an undetermined period.

The detective said the child had brain damage, a broken rib, stomach bleeds, damage to her liver and adrenal glands, second-degree burns on her genitals, foot and finger and hemorrhaging in one eye that he said is a potential sign of shaken baby syndrome.

The toddler is in fair condition at Akron Children’s Hospital, but Holmes said she is still using a feeding tube and is unable to speak.

Computer-thefts case

AUSTINTOWN — A Mahoning County grand jury will hear the theft case against the former owner of Bits, Bytes & Pieces.

Robert R. Santos, 30, of Boardman, waived his right to a pretrial hearing and instead will consent to his case being presented to a grand jury.

Austintown Township police arrested Santos in September on allegations of computer thefts at his business, Bits, Bytes & Pieces, 5620 Mahoning Ave., after several customers complained to police that they took computers to the business for repair but never saw them again — or had them returned with missing components, according to reports. Police searched the business and Santos’ home but did not find the missing computers, Detective Sgt. Kathy Dina said.

Red Cross offers classes

BOARDMAN — The American Red Cross Mahoning Chapter is offering several events. They are:

Free blood-pressure screenings: Today, noon to 2 p.m., 8392 Tod Ave., Boardman, and Tuesday, 1 to 4 p.m.; Public Library of Youngstown and Mahoning County, Poland Branch, 311 S. Main St.

Child and Infant CPR training: Today, 5:30 to 8:30 p.m.; cost, $35; 8392 Tod Ave., Boardman.

Adult CPR training: Saturday, 8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. and Monday, 5:30 to 9:30 p.m.; cost, $35 each; 8392 Tod Ave., Boardman.

Baby-sitter training: Saturday, 8:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.; cost, $35; to register, call (330) 726-6063; Boardman Park.

IRS office closed today

YOUNGSTOWN — The Internal Revenue Service is closing its Taxpayer Assistance Center here for one day. The office, 10 E. Commerce St., will be closed today and will reopen Friday.

Taxpayers who need assistance should keep in mind the IRS Web site and IRS toll-free taxpayer-assistance hot lines provide free technical guidance and tax forms without requiring a trip to the office, according to an IRS press release.

The Web site is www.irs.gov. The toll-free number is (800) 829-1040. IRS tax forms and publications are available by calling (800) 829-3676.

Groundbreaking planned

YOUNGSTOWN — A ground- breaking ceremony is being planned for 1:30 p.m. Friday at 2611 Homestead Ave. This will mark the expansion of Daybreak, a 10-bed residential crisis shelter for youths age 11 to 18 operated by Family Service Agency. For more information, visit the agency Web site at www.familyserviceagency.com.