Metro digest || Ammunition found in garage blaze

Ammunition found in garage blaze

GIRARD

The Ohio state fire marshal is investigating the cause of a Saturday blaze in an attached garage and workshop at a house at 908 Beechwood Drive. The garage contained model airplanes, motorcycle parts, fishing poles and an unspecified amount of ammunition, the fire department said.

The blaze was reported to 911 at 2:25 p.m. by neighbors who said they heard popping sounds. Damage was estimated at $42,000.

Nobody was home at the time of the fire, and neighbors said they hadn’t seen any occupants there in two weeks. The fire report did not contain the names of the owner and occupants. There were no injuries.

Mobile Meals luncheon set for noon Monday

warren

Jim Graham, president of United Auto Workers Local 1112, will host a luncheon on behalf of Trumbull Mobile Meals at noon Monday.

Graham will be speaking about the yearlong fund-raising event, “Miles and Miles for Meals,” at Trumbull Mobile Meals, 323 E. Market St. For more information, call (330) 394-2538.

Indoor soap-box derby

SHARON, Pa.

National Derby Rallies Inc. and Zero Error Racing Inc. will sponsor an indoor soap-box derby race from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday and next Sunday at 249 Wheeler St.

Participating children will race indoors on a large ramp. A handicapped division is included for special-needs children. Jamie Berndt’s world-record-holding derby car will be on display. The event is free to the public. For more information, call (724) 346-5898.

America’s park systems

Howland

Learn about significant features America’s park system preserves from the past at 6:30 p.m. Wednesday at the Howland Branch of the Warren-Trumbull County Public Library, 9095 E. Market St.

Jeffrey Eling, the Howland branch manager, will present the program about state and national parks through visual examples of geological history, natural history and human history.

Eling edited and compiled many early narratives of exploration of Yellowstone and other western regions in the book “First to the Parklands: Original Narratives from the History of Western Exploration.” The program is free. Reservations are not required.

Prom-dress giveaway

NILES

Niles McKinley High School is sponsoring a prom-dress giveaway for girls in grades 11 and 12 from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. April 6-8 at the high school, 616 Dragon Drive. Girls also can call (330) 652-9968 to set up a private viewing.

Park volunteers needed

NORTH LIMA

Beaver Township’s Friends of the Park group is looking for volunteers. The group, made up of area residents, was established several years ago to provide support for the township park board.

Members donate their time to clean up and beautify the township, especially during warmer months. Volunteers give as much or as little time as they choose.

Projects include planting flowers and trees and decorating for holiday activities. For information about volunteer opportunities or township activities, call the park board at (330) 549-9552.

Candidate to speak

SALEM

Republican Rob Portman, former Congressman from southern Ohio and a candidate for the U.S. Senate, will be the keynote speaker at the Lincoln Day Dinner at 6 p.m. April 7 at the Elks Club.

Portman also served as a U.S. trade representative, is a lawyer and serves on the advisory committee of Ohio State University’s Glenn School of Public Affairs, where he teaches various public-policy courses.

The Jack Yarnel Quartet will perform. Tickets are $35 per person. Reservations may be made by calling (330) 223-1511.

A fund-raising reception will take place before the banquet at the home of Columbiana County Republican Party Chairman David Johnson.