Crash kills cyclist

Crash kills cyclist

SMITH

The Ohio State Highway Patrol is investigating a crash that left a bicyclist dead.

The patrol said a 1997 Dodge Caravan operated by Mitchel L. White, 42, was eastbound on Western Reserve Road in Smith Township, as was Robert G. Baird Jr., 29, who was on a bicycle. The Dodge hit Baird, who was pronounced dead at the scene, about 7 a.m. Thursday, reports state. White was uninjured, the patrol said.

Vandalism charges at construction site

Niles

The two men accused of using a John Deere tractor shovel Monday to cause damage to the new Niles high school and the surrounding residential area are charged with a felony count of vandalism.

Niles police said 19-year-olds Joseph Barrickman II of Woodside Lane in Warren Township and Michael Butler of 2734 Robbins Ave. Niles, turned themselves in to authorities Wednesday. They were arraigned Thursday in Niles Municipal Court.

Capt. Ken Chriswell, chief of detectives, said each man’s role in the incident is not yet known. They are both in Trumbull County Jail on $15,000 bond.

Utility-bill changes

NILES

Starting in April, residents will notice that their water, sewer and electric bills will look significantly different. The city is launching its new utility and financial software replacing a system that has been in place since 1992.

Tom Telego, billing office manager, said the new bills will be more detailed with additions such as a consumption chart to compare usage with the previous month.

He also announced the city is ending its practice of mailing separate notices for delinquent accounts. Instead, shut-off notices will be mailed as a red bill with a warning that service will be discontinued if there is no payment after the due date.

The city also has advised residents who make third-party payments through banks to update their account numbers because the previous account numbers will change with the new billing system.

Special meeting

LORDSTOWN

Lordstown Board of Public Affairs has a special meeting at noon today to consider approving a resolution at the administration building, 1455 Salt Springs Road.

Celebrate Poland meeting planned

POLAND

Celebrate Poland will meet at 9 a.m. Saturday at the Poland Library on Main Street and are encouraging those who have suggestions for the two-day event or want to volunteer to attend.

Celebrate Poland is an annual celebration and is scheduled for June 29-30, with fireworks ending the festival on Saturday instead of Friday as in past years. For information, email celebratepoland@gmail.com.

Theft reported

Liberty

Police said a man stole a digital tablet from a Sprint store Wednesday and escaped in a vehicle waiting outside the store for him.

The witness, an employee at the Sprint store at 4501 Belmont Ave., told police the suspect asked questions about the tablet. When the witness walked away from the suspect, he suddenly ripped the tablet from its display moorings and ran from the store.

The witness told police there were three other occupants in the car and that they drove north on Belmont Avenue fleeing the scene.