METRO DIGEST || Library meeting in Youngstown

Library meeting

YOUNGSTOWN

The board of trustees of the Public Library of Youngstown & Mahoning County will have a special meeting at 4 p.m. today in the meeting room of the Main Library, 305 Wick Ave.

The meeting is to consider a recommendation from the search committee to accept the offer of current director Carlton Sears to remain director during an extended search for a new director, which is now under way. The action is necessary given the board’s previously adopted motion accepting Sears’ resignation at the end of March, according to a library news release.

The board also is expected to approve changes to the director-search criteria and act on a transfer of property for the Jackson-Milton Library project.

Golf course opens

Boardman

The Mill Creek MetroParks South golf course opens at 10 a.m. today. The North course will open in the next few weeks. Visitors can also check the progress on the golf course’s new Learning Center and Driving Range. Call 330-740-7112 for tee times.

Man pleads not guilty

BOARDMAN

A Youngstown man pleaded not guilty Tuesday to resisting arrest after police say officers chased him Monday night through a wooded area.

James L. Patterson, 26, was arrested about 10:15 p.m. Monday when an officer on Mathews road saw a white SUV repeatedly travel left of center and stopped Patterson on Applecrest Court. The officer smelled marijuana and while he was investigating, Patterson ran into nearby woods. Police said when they found him, Patterson rolled onto his stomach with his hands under his body and when he refused to show his hands, police aimed pepper spray around Patterson’s head. Police later found about $1,300 cash on Patterson and four bags containing suspected heroin, cocaine or marijuana in the area, police said.

Patterson was charged with resisting arrest and felony drug trafficking. He did not enter a plea to the felony and will be back in court next Tuesday for a preliminary hearing.

Bridge repairs

YOUNGSTOWN

Beginning today, Interstate 680 under the South Avenue bridge will be reduced to two lanes in each direction for bridge repairs. The lane restrictions will occur from 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. through Friday.

Evacuation sites

COLUMBIANA

South Main Street will be excavated in two places, in front of the Post Office and near the Friend Street intersection, beginning at 6 p.m. today for a valve to be placed in the water main. Traffic will be restricted around the excavation sites. No boil advisory will be necessary, unless complications arise, city officials said.

Fatal crashes

COLUMBIANA

The Ohio State Highway Patrol is investigating two fatal crashes in Columbiana County.

The first accident occurred about 11:10 a.m. Tuesday when Michael Bair, 31 of Poland, rear ended Lindsay Francis, 27, of Rogers, while Francis was stopped southbound on state Route 72 in Elkrun Township.

Bair’s vehicle went off the road and overturned, striking David Mayfield, 35 of East Liverpool, in the eastbound lane of state Route 7, according to an OSHP news release.

Mayfield was pronounced dead at the scene. Bair and Francis weren’t injured.

The second accident was just before 2 p.m. Tuesday on state Route 165 in Unity Township.

Ashley Clark, 22, of Rogers, was headed southbound on 165 when she struck Melissa Gorby, 35, of East Palestine, who was driving toward Rogers in the northbound lane.

Both vehicles rolled into a ditch on the East side of the road.

Gorby was pronounced dead at the scene. Clark was treated at St. Elizabeth Health Center in Youngstown for non-life threatening injuries, according to the OSHP.

Ohio State Highway Patrol Lisbon Post continues to investigate both crashes.