METRO DIGEST || Weather outages

Weather outages

Several locations in the Mahoning Valley reported outages after a storm Wednesday.

According to the First Energy website, 74 customers from the area were affected by the storm, including 34 in Milton Township. Ellsworth, Boardman, Berlin and Beaver townships also reported outages.

Local safety departments had no information on outages or storm damages.

Experts disagree on Beemer’s competence

WARREN

Three experts have issued opinions on whether Felicia Banks Beemer, 21, a city woman charged with raping her 9-month-old daughter during a visit at the Trumbull County Children Services agency last year, is competent to stand trial.

Those experts don’t agree, so Judge W. Wyatt McKay of Trumbull County Common Pleas Court attempted Wednesday to set a date for the experts to testify in court on the matter. Dates have been proposed, but one hasn’t been chosen yet.

Meanwhile, Judge McKay ruled Wednesday that Joy Hodge, 28, of Transylvania Avenue Southeast, is competent to stand trial in the 2011 death of her 15-month-old daughter. Her trial date is Sept. 24.

If convicted, she could be sentenced to life in prison.

Dr. Humphrey Germaniuk, Trumbull County coroner, ruled that the girl died as a result of homicide caused by blunt traumatic injuries.

Death ruled a homicide

WARREN

The Mahoning County Coroner’s office has ruled the death of Zeboney A. Bess, 17, of Kenwood Street Northwest, a homicide resulting from a gunshot wound to the head.

Bess was arguing with someone Saturday night when she was hit by the gunfire that killed her, Warren police said.

A person who called 911 said she heard arguing, then a gunshot coming from a dark car, then saw Bess lying on the street at 2057 Hamilton Street Southwest.

Bess died at St. Elizabeth Health Center at 1:35 p.m. Sunday.

Man pleads innocent

WARREN

An innocent plea has been entered for Mario D. Patterson, 33, of Oak Circle Southwest, to a felonious assault charge.

Patterson is charged with shooting his cousin, Jamaal Manson, 34, of Stiles Street Northwest in the head July 11 on Belmont Street.

Manson, who has since been released from the hospital with nonlife-threatening injuries, walked into ValleyCare Trumbull Memorial Hospital at 11:15 p.m. saying he had been shot in the head during an argument.

Warren police arrested Patterson on a warrant Monday. A judge in Warren Municipal Court set bond at $250,000. If convicted, Patterson could get up to eight years in prison.

Probing 3-vehicle crash

HOWLAND

The Ohio State Highway Patrol is investigating a 7 a.m. three-vehicle crash on state Route 82 just east of Howland-Wilson Road that followed a road-rage incident on state Route 11.

The crash occurred at 6:59 a.m. after a vehicle heading north on Route 11 and then west on Route 82 crossed the median and struck a westbound vehicle, the highway patrol said.

Three people were transported to local hospitals. Their names were not immediately available Wednesday.

Before the crash, one or more of the crash victims were involved in a road-rage incident that occurred on Route 11 just north of Interstate 80, the highway patrol said.

Police will buy SUV

NEW CASTLE, Pa.

The city police department will use a $23,000 U.S. Department of Justice grant to purchase a sport utility vehicle.

The SUV will be used for patrol, temporary prisoner detention and transportation and tactical emergencies, the U.S. Attorney in Pittsburgh said.

Investigating burglary

BOARDMAN

Police are investigating a burglary at a Hillman Way apartment complex.

A resident at 4000 Hillman Way told police that he left his apartment at 9:30 p.m. Monday and returned at 7:45 a.m. Tuesday to discover that someone had kicked in the door and taken a television, DVD player, cell phone and jewelry.

Anyone with information is asked to call Boardman police.