METRO DIGEST || Deputies on patrol

Deputies on patrol

Youngstown

The Mahoning County Sheriff’s Department has received a $48,211 grant for traffic-safety funding. The grant, through the Ohio Department of Public Safety’s Office of Criminal Justice Services, will be used to place deputies on patrol to reduce alcohol-related crashes, reduce speed offenses and increase seat-belt use, according to a news release from the sheriff’s office.

“Partnerships are critical to the success of any safety effort, and we are committed to working with law enforcement and other safety partners to address traffic safety concerns in Mahoning County,” said Sheriff Randall Wellington.

Austintown house fire

AUSTINTOWN

Township firefighters continue to search for the cause of fire that heavily damaged a residence at 84 Idlewood Road shortly after 2 p.m. Thursday.

According to The Vindicator’s media partner, 21 WFMJ-TV, firefighters had the fire under control within 15 minutes.

No one was home at the time. Firefighters found the home engulfed in flames. They said two dogs were inside the home. One got out, but firefighters could not find the other animal.

It appears the fire started in the kitchen, firefighters said.

Warren dog attack

WARREN

DeAnna Fisher, 37, of Jefferson Street Southwest, pleaded innocent to three misdemeanor charges Thursday in Warren Municipal Court after her pit-bull mix got loose from her house and was accused of biting her neighbor and her neighbor’s dog.

The victim, 46, of Hamilton Street Southwest, had a dog-bite on her left hand and injuries to her hip and foot resulting from falling during the attack. She received treatment at ValleyCare Trumbull Memorial Hospital.

Her dog, a Jack Russell terrier, was bitten above one eye and on one paw.

Hunting lottery

CORTLAND

Two hunters will be selected to hunt raccoons in the campground area of Mosquito Lake State Park.

Raccoons have been a nuisance for campers at the campground, so the park will allow two hunters to hunt during open raccoon season. A public lottery will take place at the park office Oct. 24.

To be considered, send a postcard with your name, address and phone number to Mosquito Lake State Park, 1439 state Route 305, Cortland 44410, before Oct. 24. Hunters must not have any previous wildlife violations to be chosen.

Gun fired at house

WARREN

Darlene D. Burts, 51, of Tod Avenue Southwest, pleaded innocent to felonious assault in Warren Municipal Court. Police officers were advised that she fired her gun Tuesday afternoon at her house after threatening to shoot her husband for changing the locks on the house.

If convicted, she could get up to eight years in prison.

Think Pink at city hall

YOUNGSTOWN

On Wednesdays during October, designated as Breast Cancer Awareness month, city-hall employees are encouraged to wear pink to raise awareness and contribute $2 to the Think Pink cans.

Last year, employees raised $470 to benefit cancer patients, said Brenda Rider, municipal court bailiff and breast-cancer survivor. Proceeds will be donated to A Way With Words Foundation Inc., a local nonprofit 501(c)(3) corporation, for disbursement to patients. For more information, call Rider 330-742-8835.

East Lucius clean-up

YOUNGSTOWN

Marucci & Gaffney Excavating will donate time and equipment Saturday to clean up two lots, put down topsoil and plant grass as part of the area revitalization project led over the last two years by the Rev. Greg Maturi of St. Dominic Church on East Lucius Avenue.

The United Way of Youngstown and the Mahoning Valley has been a partner with Marucci and Gaffney on several initiatives and sought the company’s help on the project. The hope is to someday build playgrounds and soccer fields on the vacant lots so neighborhood children have a safe place to play, a United Way official said. Saturday’s project begins at 8 a.m.

Woman assaulted

WARREN

Christopher L. Hill, 30, of Hoyt Street Southwest, pleaded innocent to felonious assault and being a felon in possession of a firearm. He’s accused of assaulting his girlfriend at their house Monday.

The woman said Hill became violent after she refused to allow him to use her minivan and struck her in the face and head, then threatened her with a handgun and rifle. She was treated at ValleyCare Trumbull Memorial Hospital.

Hill also is accused of pouring bleach and other cleaning chemicals around the living room and on the furniture, saying he was going to burn the house down.

If convicted of the charges, he faces up to 13 years in prison.