Metro Digest

Youngstown raises city water rate 8.75%

YOUNGSTOWN — The city’s water rate increased 8.75 percent Monday as part of a plan to raise that rate by more than 50 percent over the next five years.

The city will increase its water rates by 8.75 percent again Jan. 1, 2011, and by the same amount the three following years. When all of the increases are implemented, customers will pay about 52 percent more for water than they do now.

The increase will produce about $1.6 million in new revenue a year.

The average city customer uses about 4,500 gallons of water per month, and the average bill, now at $22.23 per month, will increase by $1.95 to $24.18 as of Monday. That goes to $26.29 as of Jan. 1, 2011; $28.59 as of Jan. 1, 2012; $31.09 as of Jan. 1, 2013; and $33.81 beginning Jan. 1, 2014.

The new rates will apply to both residential and commercial customers.

For customers in Austintown and Boardman, who get water from Youngstown, the increase translates into about $2.72 per month.

Investigation continues; no charges were filed

YOUNGSTOWN — Police have not filed charges against a city man accused of punching a 2-year-old child.

A 21-year-old woman told police Kenneth Menton III, 27, of Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard, punched her 2-year-old daughter in the face while he and the woman argued.

Police are still investigating the matter, but they have not filed charges against Menton. Menton did not spend any time in the Mahoning County jail.

A police report Friday said Menton had been charged and jailed in lieu of a $25,000 bond. No bond was set, as he was not charged.

The female child was taken to an area hospital for observation and treated.

Boardman man jailed on several charges

BOARDMAN — A Colleen Drive man is charged with assault on a police officer, disorderly conduct while intoxicated, carrying a concealed weapon and resisting arrest at a Boardman-Canfield Road restaurant.

Ralph Reedy, 37, was in the Mahoning County jail and scheduled to appear today in Mahoning County Court.

Police were called about 7 p.m. Sunday to Los Gallos on a report of a man who refused to leave. Witnesses told police that the man, later identified as Reedy, had brandished a knife, threatening to kill others inside the restaurant and then sticking the knife in the bar.

Reedy is accused of fighting with police, slamming one officer against a glass door. Police used a Taser on Reedy three times after he refused to comply and struggled with officers. Officers found a 4-inch folding-lock-blade knife in Reedy’s pants pocket.

Reedy’s vehicle was found in the restaurant parking lot stuck on a retaining wall. It was towed.