METRO DIGEST || Autistic boy found

Autistic boy found

Cool spring township

After a nearly three-hour search, Mercer County emergency crews located a 13-year-old autistic boy who had wandered away from his home Tuesday afternoon. The boy, who lives on Miller School Road, was reported missing shortly before 4 p.m. Pennsylvania State Police and Mercer East End Firefighters located him at about 6:30 p.m. on Airport Road, a few miles from his home. The boy was unharmed.

Saffold not on ballot

WARREN

Warren Councilwoman Cheryl Saffold will not appear on the ballot this November as an independent candidate for the 64th Ohio House of Representatives seat.

At a meeting of the Trumbull County Board of Elections on Tuesday, she was ruled ineligible for the ballot because her petitions did not contain enough valid signatures. She was required to have 349 signatures but had only 299 after some were ruled invalid. In some cases, the signer was not a registered voter, said Kelly Pallante, elections board director.

Democrat Tom Letson is the incumbent in the 64th District. He faces Republican Randy Law in November.

Drugs, solicitation

NEW MIDDLETOWN

An Akron man accused of drug trafficking will be arraigned Friday in Struthers Municipal Court. According to village police, Dakota Eaton, 18, was doing door-to-door soliciting Monday evening. When an officer questioned him, police recovered 10 plastic bags of suspected marijuana and rolling papers in his pocket. Eaton faces charges of drug trafficking, possession of marijuana, possession of drug paraphernalia and soliciting without a permit.

Warren men stabbed

WARREN

Two men, 21 and 22, respectively, were stabbed at the corner of Paige Avenue and Elm Road about 4 a.m. Monday and went to ValleyCare Trumbull Memorial Hospital for treatment. Their injuries were not life-threatening, doctors said. Also reporting injuries in the altercation, were a woman, 56, and two men, 36 and 48, respectively. The younger men were not cooperating with the investigation, police said.

Red Cross meeting

WARREN

The American Red Cross of the Mahoning Valley’s annual meeting is 10 a.m. Saturday at the chapter headquarters at 661 Mahoning Ave. NW., Warren. A Volunteer Appreciation Celebration and election of board officers for one-, two- and three-year terms will follow.

Over the past year, the chapter provided assistance to 265 fire victims, opened a shelter to accommodate residents evacuated from their homes, and provided health and safety information to more than 7,000 people, said Karen Conklin, executive director.

The public also is invited to attend the Red Cross’ Acts of Courage event June 14 when Covelli Enterprises will be honored as recipient of the Spirit of the Mahoning Valley Award. Local heroes who performed extraordinary acts of courage also will be recognized. For tickets and information, call 330-392-2551 or visit online at www.mahoning.redcross.org.

ACTION on homes

YOUNGSTOWN

“Abandoned Homes Adoption” will be among topics to be discussed during a clergy-caucus breakfast meeting of ACTION planned from 9:30 to 11 a.m. May 17 at Holy Trinity Baptist Church, 505 Parkcliffe Drive.

Alliance for Congregational Transformation Influencing Our Neighborhoods also will host a guest from Harwood Institute. The Rev. Dr. Lewis Macklin is host pastor. Reservations are requested by Monday by email to Rmartin81@neo.rr.com or jf@zoominternet.net. The Revs. Joseph Fata and Rosalyn Mitchell Martin are clergy co-chairmen; Pastor Dwayne Heard, president; and Rosetta Carter, executive director.

Warren Relay for Life

WARREN

The American Cancer Society 2012 Warren Relay for Life will be from 6 p.m. Friday to 6 p.m. Saturday at Courthouse Park, downtown. The event will begin with a survivor lap and a special opening lap to honor Dr. Robert Brodell and his Relay team. Other activities during the 24-hour event include entertainment, a luminaria ceremony, silent auction, chalk on the walk, Browns vs. Steelers lap, and an awards ceremony Saturday. The relay traditionally ranks among the biggest in Ohio.