Metro digest

5 minutes allotted to ‘tea party’ speakers

WARREN — A “tea party” to protest federal government spending and policy decisions will be from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Monday on Warren’s Courthouse Square. Topics for discussion include individual liberties, free market and promoting fiscal responsibility. Those attending can speak to the crowd for up to five minutes.

For more information, call Ken MacPherson at (330) 219-3564.

Public hearing set on Lowellville flooding

LOWELLVILLE — The village will have a public hearing at 7 p.m. Tuesday at the municipal building, 140 E. Liberty St., to discuss issues including flood-damage reduction and using brine and brine-impregnated slag for snow removal. The public hearing will be on storm-water management programs, staff and EPA mandates; the Sharon Slag property, a proposed business; and sewer and water ordinances and bill-collection procedures.

Get dog license online

MERCER, Pa.— Mercer County Treasurer Virginia Richardson announced her office has begun using an online service that will enable residents to apply for dog licenses and pay for them by credit or debit card at the push of a button.

Applicants can go to the county’s Web site at www.mcc.co.mercer.pa.us and link at the left to “Buy Dog License Online.” They will be automatically directed to a disclaimer explaining that a $1 convenience fee will be assessed on top of the normal coast of purchasing a license. A $3 fee will be applied for transactions more than $40.

The vendor, PayGOV.US, will pay for all costs of developing and maintaining the program and will keep all convenience fees to cover the costs of this service.

Used-book sale planned

AUSTINTOWN — A used-book sale will be in the Immaculate Heart of Mary Parish Center, 4500 Norquest Blvd., from 9 am. to 2 p.m. Saturday, spokeswoman Fran Hurayt announced. This sale will be in conjunction with the Treasures in the Trunk sale. Food will be available.

Passenger hit by car

SALEM — The Ohio State Highway Patrol is investigating the case of a man hit with a car in which he’d been a passenger on state Route 45. The victim, Brigham L. Young, 22, of Lisbon, was flown from the scene to St. Elizabeth Health Center in Youngstown for treatment. No information was available Saturday from the hospital. The patrol said the incident occurred about 12:02 a.m. Saturday on Route 45 near Longs Crossing Road, midway between Salem and Lisbon. According to police, a vehicle driven by Matthew J. Baker, 27, of Lisbon, was southbound on state Route 45 when it pulled off the edge of the highway and stopped. Baker and Young, his passenger, got out of the vehicle and fought. While attempting to leave the scene, Baker’s vehicle struck Young, the patrol said.

POW/MIA ceremony

NEW CASTLE, Pa. — Lawrence County’s Fifteenth Annual POW/MIA memorial ceremony is set for 10:30 a.m. Friday on the front porch of the Lawrence County Courthouse.

Director of Veterans Affairs Shirley Noga said Lawrence County Common Pleas Court Judge Thomas Piccione will speak. The Eintracht Singing Society and the Shenango High School Band will perform. The public is invited to attend.

Boy’s body found

HOOKSTOWN, Pa. (AP) — Authorities in western Pennsylvania say the body of a missing 4-year-old boy has been found stuffed in a septic tank. A suspect is in custody.

State police in Beaver County said Wyatt Smitsky was last seen outside his family’s Greene Township home shortly after 7:30 p.m. Friday.

Trooper Robert Lagoon says a septic tank on a neighboring property was drained Saturday, and the boy’s body was found. He says authorities “have a known suspect and anticipate filing charges.”

Hundreds of emergency personnel and volunteers searched dense woods with the help of dogs for the boy, who had a heart condition, until 3 a.m. and resumed the search at 10 a.m. Saturday. Authorities had also been using ATVs and a helicopter with infrared sensors, and the FBI also assisted because of the age of the victim.