Metro digest

3 westbound lanes open

AUSTINTOWN — The westbound bridge of Interstate 80 over Meander Reservoir reopened to traffic Tuesday night.

All three westbound lanes are open, the Ohio Department of Transportation District 4 said. Two lanes are open eastbound with the remaining lane expected to open next week.

This work was part of a $91.5 million widening and reconstruction project of I-80 between the Ohio Turnpike and the state Route 11 interchange. The project included the reconstruction and replacement of the twin bridges over the reservoir.

Customer robbed

YOUNGSTOWN — Police are looking for the man who robbed a customer inside the Shell gas station on Midlothian Boulevard.

According to police, a tall man wearing a black, hooded sweat shirt came into the store at 2:40 a.m. Wednesday and asked to use the restroom. After coming out of the restroom, the man placed the key to the restroom in a slot through the bulletproof glass shielding the cashier, then placed a gun to the stomach of a nearby customer.

Reports say the thief removed all the cash from the customer’s pockets then demanded entry into the area shielding cashiers. The cashier behind the glass called 911 and pressed a police panic button.

The man ran out of the store and was followed by someone pumping gas at a nearby pump. The store manager said he would supply police with a copy of the surveillance tape.

Appreciation day

POLAND — The township and village police departments and Western Reserve Joint Fire District plan an appreciation day Saturday to thank residents for their continued support.

The event runs from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Giant Eagle, 3130 Center Road. All village and township residents are welcome.

The departments will showcase vehicles, equipment and programs used to provide services to the community. Police and fire personnel will be available to meet residents and answer questions. Area ambulance companies also will display their equipment and answer questions.

Event sponsors are township trustees, Giant Eagle, Republic Services and US Bank.

Gunshots wound man

NEWTON FALLS — A drive-by shooting in Newton Township sent a man to the hospital Wednesday night, Trumbull County dispatch reported.

The shooting happened around 9 p.m. at a Scott Street address, dispatch said. The man’s name was not released.

There was no word on the man’s condition or on a suspect.

Police are investigating.

Blue Ribbon Schools

YOUNGSTOWN — Two area schools have been designated as 2009 National Blue Ribbon Schools by the U.S. Department of Education.

Watson Elementary in Austintown and Columbiana High School have earned the distinction.

The schools will be recognized at a ceremony Nov. 3 in Washington, D.C.

Only 314 of the more than 120,000 schools nationwide were selected this year.

The Blue Ribbon Schools program recognizes public and private K-12 schools that are either academically superior in their state or demonstrate dramatic gains in student achievement and helped close gaps in achievement among minority and disadvantaged students. They must also meet Adequate Yearly Progress in reading and mathematics as determined by their individual states.

Health fair in Niles

NILES — WellnessOne of Warren and The Mayor Ralph A. Infante Wellness Center of Niles are offering their first free communitywide health fair Saturday from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. at The Mayor Ralph Infante Wellness Center, 213 Sharkey Drive in Waddell Park. Health care specialists will offer free health checkups, including bone density, spinal alignment, hearing and vision. There will also be cholesterol checks for $10 and diabetes testing for $5.