METRO DIGEST || Volunteers needed today for Keep America Beautiful Day

Volunteers needed YOUNGSTOWN

Today is Keep America Beautiful Workday, and the public can participate from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Meet at the Youngstown Playhouse off Glenwood Avenue. Join Youngstown Litter Control and Recycling, the Playhouse, Youngstown Neighborhood Development Corp., Idora Neighborhood Association, Tabernacle Evangelical Presbyterian Church and other groups to clean up a vacant lot next to the playhouse to develop a small park.

Mother convicted

LISBON

A jury deliberated less than 45 minutes before convicting Miranda Todd, 24, of Salem on Friday of killing her 7-month-old son two years ago, according to The Vindicator’s broadcast partner, 21 WFMJ-TV. Prosecutors say evidence of abuse — bruising and fractures of the skull and rib — happened throughout the month before the boy’s death. Her trial took place in Columbiana County Common Pleas Court. Todd’s attorney questioned whether two adults living in the home could have been responsible for the injuries. Jurors found Todd guilty of murder, involuntary manslaughter and child endangering. She faces up to life in prison when sentenced.

Niles drug charges

NILES

Police have charged Gloria J. Court, 58, with three counts of drug trafficking after a long investigation by Niles narcotic officers. Police took Court, of 377 W. Park Ave., into custody at 7:52 a.m. Friday at her home after Niles and Weathersfield police searched it. Officers seized crack cocaine, marijuana, pills and cash. If convicted, she faces up to 18 months in prison on each count. The charges were elevated one level because her home is within 1,000 feet of a school, St. Stephens.

Assault in Warren

WARREN

Shamia L. Fudge, 20, of Shalom Avenue Northwest, was charged with felonious assault after reportedly hitting her brother in the head with a clothes iron Thursday, causing a deep laceration and puncture in his skull. She pleaded innocent was Friday in Warren Municipal Court. Bond was set at $5,000. If convicted, she could get up to eight years in prison.

Police said Fudge and her brother, 19, were arguing about cleaning their apartment just before midnight. Fudge said during the argument, her toddler was pushing on a speaker that belonged to her brother, so he shoved the child. Fudge said she told her brother not to do that again, but he did, so she struck him with the iron. He was taken by ambulance to ValleyCare Trumbull Memorial Hospital.

Update on road work

COLUMBIANA

The Columbiana Area Tourism Bureau says updates on construction along South Main Street in Columbiana will be posted and updated daily on the bureau’s website www.tourcolumbianaohio.com. Construction started May 29.

Contact the bureau at 330-482-3822 Monday through Friday. if your business is affected and you want to alert the public to temporary changes via the website.

Payless robbery

WARREN

Dane A. Crosby Jr., 24, of 1312 Berwick Ave., Youngstown, was charged with robbery Thursday morning after police say he robbed Payless Shoes, 4488 Youngstown Road. He pleaded innocent Friday in Warren Municipal Court; bond was set at $50,000. If convicted, he faces up to five years in prison. Police said a man approached the counter in the store at 10:15 a.m. and handed an employee a note telling her to “go open safe.” The employee opened the safe and handed the man a bag containing about $200. The suspect fled in a 1990s brown or tan vehicle, which was later stopped by Weathersfield police on Tibbetts Wick Road. Crosby was taken back to the store and identified by the clerk, police said.