Metro digest

Sen. Brown to discuss health-care reform

YOUNGS-TOWN — As Congress debates President Obama’s proposed reform of the nation’s health-care system, U.S. Sen. Sherrod Brown, D-Ohio, will present a lecture, “The Health-care Crisis and Working-Class Communities” at 7:30 p.m. Thursday at Youngstown State University.

The presentation, in the Chestnut Room of Kilcawley Center, kicks off the 2009-10 Center for Working-Class Studies Lecture Series.

The lecture is free to the public. Doors open at 6:30 p.m.

Groundbreaking

YOUNGSTOWN — A ground-breaking ceremony at 10 a.m. today launches an expansion at the Martin P. Joyce Juvenile Justice Center, 300 E. Scott St. The expansion is about 3,000 square feet of space, according to Anthony D’Apolito, the juvenile-court administrator.

Juvenile court handles about 2,700 juvenile traffic cases a year. The expansion is expected to be completed next spring.

Captain concurs

WARREN — The captain who supervises Warren police officer Emanuel Nites says she concurs with the findings of an internal-affairs investigation that found that Nites violated departmental policy when he called off sick July 31.

Capt. Janice Gilmore said she will file administrative charges against Nites within the next couple of days.

Sgt. Jeff Cole, internal affairs officer, said Nites should have returned to work after leaving his ill father in Columbus on July 31. Instead, Nites, his wife and his son drove two more hours to southern Ohio, where his son was scheduled to play in a tournament baseball game the next day.

After administrative charges are filed, Nites will be advised of a hearing date to answer to the charges before acting Chief Tim Bowers, who will decide on punishment, if any.

Demonstrations at fair

CANFIELD — Those attending the Canfield Fair will have a chance to learn something new from students and instructors at Mahoning County Career and Technical Center.

MCCTC will offer demonstrations from various programs. All demonstrations are planned from 1 to 3 p.m. in the Education Building. The schedule for the week: Wednesday, horticulture; Thursday, culinary art; Friday, child care; Saturday, building maintenance; and Sunday, exercise science.

Prayer service at school

YOUNGSTOWN — Ursuline High School will celebrate the opening of school Thursday with a prayer service in the school gymnasium at 10:20 a.m. planned by the Liturgy Committee. Music will be led by El Fuego, the Ursuline Liturgical Choir.

U.S. Air Reservists, Captain Vincent Repucci (’99) and Lt. Steven Stroney (’01), will present an American flag to Principal Patricia Fleming. The flag was flown in Iraq where Repucci and Stroney have served.

Man shot in leg

YOUNGSTOWN — A West Ravenwood Avenue man was in stable condition Monday after being shot in the leg.

The 30-year-old man told police he and his girlfriend had arrived home about 1 a.m. Monday and both went inside the home. The victim told police he realized he had left his cell phone and his cigarettes in the car and went back to get them. When he got to the driveway, he saw two men, dressed in black, come from his backyard.

One man pulled a gun, ordering the victim to the ground. When the gunman looked away, the victim rushed him and slapped the gun away, he told police.

The other man punched the victim and then shot him in the leg as he ran toward the porch. The man’s girlfriend took him to St. Elizabeth Health Center.