Traffic jam on 224

Traffic jam on 224

BOARDMAN

A portion of one of the busiest roads in Mahoning County was closed for about 90 minutes Thursday during rush-hour traffic.

Dominion East Ohio Gas crews were called to repair a gas leak at U.S. Route 224 west of Market Street at about 4:15 p.m. Township police handled traffic detours as Route 224 was closed from Market Street to Westview Drive. At about 5:45 p.m., U.S. Route 224 was reopened in the east and west directions.

Township authorities said a private contractor was doing work near the McDonald’s restaurant property at the intersection and inadvertently hit a main gas line, causing the leak.

Ponzi leader dies

WARREN

David Harriett, the former Howland Township resident and former GM Lordstown executive convicted of operating a $9.3 million Ponzi scheme, has died.

His death is indicated on the federal prisoner website. No information is available regarding the date he died.

Harriett, 63, reported to the Federal Medical Center, part of the Butner Federal Correctional Complex, in Butner, N.C., in January. At his sentencing in September 2010, Harriett’s doctor said Harriett had terminal cancer and most likely would die within two years.

U.S. District Judge Kathleen M. O’Malley sentenced Harriett to serve five years and eight months in prison for swindling more than 200 people out of a total of $9.3 million.

Angel Food program

youngstown

Crossroads Church, 554 S. Meridian Road, is a host site for the Angel Food program, which helps people buy food at a reduced cost. Orders will be taken from 9:30 to 11:30 a.m. Saturday and Aug. 13 and 20; and from 3 to 6 p.m. Aug. 18. The last chance to order will be until 11:30 a.m. Aug. 20, but online ordering continues through 11:59 p.m. Aug. 21.

Distribution is scheduled from 9 to 10:30 a.m. Aug. 27.

Various size boxes, ranging in price from $17 to $55, are available. For information, call Crossroads at 330-799-9988 or visit www.cometocrossroads.org.

Lincoln Knolls event

YOUNGSTOWN

Lincoln Knolls Community Watch sponsors a block-party fundraiser from 1 to 7 p.m. Saturday on Elliot Lane. It will feature food, games and visits by city fire personnel with a fire truck, and police. Proceeds benefit the neighborhood playground.

Fatal collision

HERMITAGE, PA.

Police were investigating a fatal traffic accident Thursday.

The accident happened at 12:27 p.m. on North Water Avenue near Champlain Street. A Chevrolet Tracker traveling north and a FedEx delivery truck traveling south collided, police said. Donovan Zec, 39, of West Middlesex, the driver of the Tracker, was killed. Police said he hit the FedEx truck.

press time.