METRO DIGEST || Rally against violence Saturday

Anti-violence rally

YOUNGSTOWN

City officials, community organizations and businesses will have a rally against violence in Youngstown from 2 to 6 p.m. Saturday at South Fieldhouse, 1833 Market St.

Organizers say the rally will enable participants to take a stand and to discuss ways to combat violence.

The event will include live entertainment, basketball games and guest speakers. For more information, call Lucky Penny, a DJ from 101.9 JAMZ FM radio, who is one of the event’s organizers.

Chaffee and council

LORDSTOWN

Michael Chaffee, mayor of Lordstown for the last seven years, will not seek re-election this year but will run for one of six at-large council seats.

Chaffee, who will complete his second four-year term as mayor Dec. 31, said he’ll file nominating petitions by the Feb. 2 deadline.

Chaffee said he feels that 12 years as mayor would be too long, but he still wants to “stay involved,” adding, “I’d like to grow on what we’ve built.”

Over his seven years as mayor, Chaffee said he’s proud of the relationship he’s had with the township’s largest employer, General Motors, including the work force and officials in Detroit.

Seeking artists

YOUNGSTOWN

Artists of the Rust Belt is looking for regional artists to participate in its third annual Winter Market on Feb. 12 at the Rust Belt Brewing Co. inside B&O Station at Mahoning Commons. Tables can be rented for $5. The deadline is Friday. Call Daniel Horne at 330-219-9539. Applications can also be downloaded at artistsoftherustbelt.com.

City school meetings

YOUNGSTOWN

The city school district’s financial planning and supervision commission meeting scheduled for 11 a.m. today has been canceled. The commission’s next meeting is 11 a.m. Feb. 10 at the Irene Ward building on West Wood Street.

The city school board meeting, rescheduled from earlier this week because of the weather, is set for 5:30 today with a caucus, followed by the 6:30 p.m. regular meeting. That meeting is also at the Irene Ward building.

Teacher struck

YOUNGSTOWN

A 13-year-old student at P. Ross Berry Middle School was arrested and taken to the Martin P. Joyce Juvenile Justice Center, accused of striking a teacher.

A police officer working for the school district was called to the school around 8:30 a.m. Tuesday. The officer spoke to the teacher who told him that the boy was involved in an altercation with another student.

The teacher wanted to remove the boy from the classroom and place him in the time-out room. The boy struggled with the woman, and then he punched her in the arm.

The teacher said that the boy then threatened to hit her again, according to the police report. The boy was charged with assault.

Salem levy renewal

SALEM

Salem Board of Education has placed a levy renewal on the May 3 ballot. District Treasurer Jill Rowe said the issue is a renewal of a 4.3-mill emergency levy that would bring in $1.3 million over five years. The money would go for general operating costs, she said.

Teen denies escape

LISBON

A court-appointed public defender has entered an official “denial” of an escape charge filed against a 17-year-old boy who bolted from authorities in freezing weather, and was captured by Columbiana County Juvenile Court Judge Thomas Baronzzi. Juvenile courts use either “denial” or “admit” instead of “guilty” or “not guilty.”