METRO DIGEST || Phelps sidewalk blocked from falling bricks

Sidewalk blocked

youngstown

Workers blocked off a portion of the sidewalk by the Wick Building after several bricks from the building’s exterior fell off.

No one was injured.

Workers at the building Tuesday evening said the West Federal Street building is owned by Dominic Marchionda.

Early last month, Lou Frangos and Wick Ohio One were finalizing the building’s sale to Marchionda of Poland, according to Vindicator files. He plans to turn it into an apartment complex.

Mahoning County property tax records show the building dates to 1910.

Explosion damages Boardman home

BOARDMAN

A Tuesday afternoon explosion lifted a township home off its foundation, firefighters said.

Boardman Fire Capt. Brian Barber said a neighbor reported hearing an explosion about 1 p.m., and when crews arrived at 1781 Lealand Ave., they found a fire contained in the basement.

“The gentleman who owns the house does his own loading of ammunition and makes his own bullets and had gun powder and ammo in the basement, and we don’t know if that’s what caused the fire,” Barber said. “Arson investigators and Dominion East Ohio are investigating.”

The house is valued at about $75,000 and damage estimates still are being compiled, the captain said.

Nobody was home at the time, and the family’s pet dog was rescued from the house, Barber said.

Buddy Walk 2012

BOARDMAN

Buddy Walk of the Valley 2012, sponsored by the Down Syndrome Association of the Valley, is 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday at Shops at Boardman Park. Two local families will be honored with plaques in memory of loved ones who died this year, and two local students pursuing degrees that will directly benefit individuals with Down Syndrome each will receive a $1,000 scholarship.

Food, entertainment, basket raffles and games will be set up in Shops at Boardman Park behind Quaker Steak and Lube. Right Hands, a local contemporary Christian band, will perform, as will Hi-Five the stilt walker. There will be a dunk tank, bouncers and other games and activities.

The Buddy Walk is the primary awareness and fundraising campaign for the Down Syndrome Association of the Valley.

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