Metro Digest

Drivers face charges

SALEM — Two drivers face charges after a pickup-truck driver hit and dragged a man on an electric bicycle for 254 feet.

Ralph Crum, 48, of Prospect Street, was driving a bicycle about 7:40 p.m. Thursday when he was struck by a pickup driven by Scott A. Rudder in the 600 block of Newgarden Avenue near Arch Street.

It was not clear if Crum was struck from the front, side or rear.

Police said they found Rudder in his vehicle in a driveway a short distance away. He was charged with operating a motor vehicle while under the influence of alcohol and leaving the scene of an accident, both first-degree misdemeanors.

Crum was charged with not having a vehicle license and not having a light on his electric bicycle, which are both minor misdemeanors.

Crum was taken by ambulance to St. Elizabeth Health Center in Youngstown. No report on his condition was available.

Citizens Coalition to meet

YOUNGSTOWN — West Side Citizens Coalition 4th and 5th Wards will meet at 7 p.m. Tuesday to discuss crime on the West Side. Guest speakers will be Police Chief Jimmy Hughes, city Prosecutor Jay Macejko, Juvenile Officer Wes Giles and Community Officer Jim Welch. The 4th Ward Councilwoman is Carol Rimedio-Righetti, and the 5th Ward Councilman is Paul Drennen.

Candidates’ forum set

YOUNGSTOWN — A candidates-and-issues forum will be at 6:30 p.m. Monday at New Bethel Baptist Church, 1507 Hillman St.

The forum will provide information on the key issues heading into the Nov. 3 general election. U.S. Rep. Tim Ryan of Niles, D-17th, also is scheduled to speak on health reform.

Forum panelists will be Delores Crawford, director of community relations with WKBN Channel 27; Herman Hill, local talk-show host; and Ode Aduma, former reporter with WKBN.

The event is co-sponsored by the Junior Civic League and the Community Mobilization Committee. For more information, contact Molly Seals, JCL public affairs chairwoman, at (330) 360-3572, or the Rev. Kenneth Simon, church pastor, at (330) 747-2125.

Keepsake bricks available from Warren school

WARREN — The Warren City School District will offer a limited supply of free bricks from the former East Middle School on South Street near Forum Health Trumbull Memorial Hospital. The school building is being demolished. Bricks will be available from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. Monday through Friday. Bricks can be picked up in front of the building by the gate outside the fence.

Bricks are being offered to the community as memorial keep-sake items at no cost. Bricks are limited to two per person.

Brush pickup in Leetonia

LEETONIA — The village will have its 2009 fall brush-pickup program Oct. 19 through 30.

The village will make one round and pick up brush that is out; there will not be a second collection. Spring 2010 will be the next scheduled brush pickup.

Residents are asked to stack all cut brush only in the curb lawn area. Do not restrict sidewalks, ditches or place material on the street. Brush must be stacked all in the same direction and pieces are not to exceed 4 feet in length, village officials said.

The pickup will begin on the south side of town the week of Oct. 19 and then will start on the north side the week of Oct. 26. Any brush put out after the pickup has been completed will be the property owner’s responsibility to have hauled away at their expense.

The village will not haul away entire trees that are cut down from private property, trimmings only.

Do not mix leaves and other debris in the brush pile, or the village will not pick them up, officials said.