Metro digest || NEOUCOM name change

Medical-school name

rootstown

The Northeastern Ohio Universities Colleges of Medicine and Pharmacy Board of Trustees unanimously voted this week to move forward in the process of changing the university’s name.

The name that was approved for further action by the board is Northeast Ohio Medical University.

President Jay Gershen said the proposed name pays respect to the geographic area served and to the facility’s medicine, pharmacy and community-health programs.

“We look forward to getting this name approved by the Legislature and further developing the brand as a premier medical university,” he said.

Suspect arrested

columbiana

A fugitive wanted on sex charges was arrested in New York, where is awaiting extradition to Columbiana County.

Michael Toma was indicted by the grand jury in Columbiana County in May on charges of rape, sexual conduct with a minor and sexual battery, according to the U.S. Marshals Service.

The indictment stems from an investigation by Salem and Perry Township police that involved a 13-year-old.

A division of the marshals service in the New York-New Jersey region arrested Toma on Tuesday in Stillwater, N.Y. He was hiding in a friend’s trailer.

Kids Fun & Safety

NORTH LIMA

The second annual Kids Fun & Safety Day is 6 to 9 p.m. today at Woodworth Park.

The event is sponsored by the Beaver Township Park Board, and police and officials will be available to give safety tips.

Free activities such as hayrides, a petting zoo and pony rides also are part of the safety day. Snow cones, cotton candy and other refreshments will be provided.

The park is on Luther Avenue, off Western Reserve Road between Market Street and Southern Boulevard. For more information, contact the park board at 330-549-9552.

WRTA ridership

Youngstown

The Western Reserve Transit Authority had 96,887 riders use its services in June — an 18 percent increase from last year, reported the executive director Thursday.

In June 2009, 81,928 people used WRTA buses, said Jim Ferraro, executive director.

The newly remodeled and expanded administration offices on Mahoning Avenue, which cost $1.2 million and were paid for with federal-stimulus money, are expected to open Aug. 9.

Census deadline

Today is the final day Ohio residents who believe they did not receive a 2010 Census form, mail back a form or have an interview with a census worker to make sure they are counted, said a representative for U.S. Rep. Charlie Wilson of Steubenville, D-6th.

People are urged to call 866-872-6868 to complete their questionnaire quickly over the phone.

More than 130,000 interviews have been completed via the toll-free line. For more information, go to the website www.census.gov/newsroom/releases/archives/2010_census/cb10cn69.html.

PUCO authorization

COLUMBUS

The Public Utilities Commission of Ohio approved construction authorization Thursday from the Ohio Rail Development Commission directing Youngstown & Austintown Railroad to install mast-mounted flashing lights and cantilevered flashing lights at the Meridian Road grade crossing in Youngstown.

The railroad must submit site plans and cost estimates for the projects to the PUCO by Oct. 27. Funding for the upgrade will be provided through federal funds. The railroads will be responsible for completing construction of the upgrade by July 29, 2011, according to a PUCO release.