METRO DIGEST || Grandparents being scammed by phone

Grandparent scam

COLUMBUS

State Attorney General Mike DeWine is reminding grandparents and families to be aware of the grandparent telephone scam.

Typically, a grandparent will receive a phone call from someone posing as a grandchild. The phony grandchild claims to be in trouble and in urgent need of money, maybe to pay a fine or a lawyer. The grandparent is asked to wire money immediately, often out of the country. The scammer asks the grandparent to “please don’t tell Mom or Dad.”

So far this year, the Attorney General’s Office has received about 50 complaints from victims. The average amount reported to have been lost is about $5,000, but some people report losing $10,000 or more. Dozens of other Ohioans report being targeted by the scam but not sending money.

DeWine urges victims of this or any scam to file a complaint with his office by calling 800-282-0515, or by visiting www.Ohio-AttorneyGeneral.gov.

Gold Cross reunion

HUBBARD

The first reunion of those who worked for Gold Cross Ambulance Service, now Rural Metro, between 1965 and 1995, and their families will begin as a family-style picnic at noon Saturday at Chestnut Ridge Park and Campgrounds, 6486 Chestnut Ridge Road.

Participants are urged to bring beverages and covered dishes to be shared.

The reunion is for those who worked in the Gold Cross region stretching from Alliance, Ohio, to Titusville, Pa. The park charges $2 per person admission and prohibits glass bottles.

For more information about the reunion, contact gcareunion@yahoo.com.

Clothes, home goods

boardman

Rescue Mission of Mahoning Valley’s Mobile Donation Drop Off Truck is parked at Flynn’s Tires and Auto Service on Market Street here this weekend.

The community is welcome to donate household goods and clothing.

Any donors who wish to have a receipt for tax purposes are encouraged to call the mission at 330-744-5485 Monday.

Donated items are available to anyone in need weekdays between 10 a.m. and 11 a.m. at 2246 Glenwood Ave. All that is required is a photo identification.

3rd Ward meeting

WARREN

Councilman John Brown Jr., D-3rd, will have a ward meeting at 5 p.m. Monday at Christ Episcopal Church, 2627 Atlantic St. NE, next to Lincoln School. The meeting will focus on seven pieces of legislation, pending a vote as early as Wednesday.

The legislation relates to a multimillion-dollar bond issue intended to address several issues involving the city’s infrastructure and finances, including construction of a one-stop government-services building.

Salvation Army Christmas assistance

WARREN

The Salvation Army, 270 Franklin Street SE, will take Christmas assistance applications for residents of Trumbull County in need, excluding residents of Newton Falls, Niles and Cortland. Residents in those communities can call the Salvation Army for a referral to other agencies.

Applications will be taken from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Monday, Wednesday, Friday, and Sept. 17 and 21. Evening appointments can be made for 5 to 7 p.m. Sept. 17 by calling 330-392-1573. You must bring a current photo ID for all adults in the household, birth certificates or medical card for all children in the household, proof of all income, and proof of all expenses. Only children age 12 and younger in the household are eligible to receive toys.

New officer

STRUTHERS

Struthers swore in a full-time city police officer Friday.

Ryan Kolenich, who lives in Boardman, has been working for the department as a reserve officer since September 2010. He is also a reserve officer for the Mahoning County Sheriff’s Office.

He begins his duties Monday.

Kolenich is a 2006 Austintown Fitch High School graduate. He is majoring in criminal justice at Youngstown State University.

He said he is looking forward to being on the force.

“I think I’m going to do pretty good,” he said, adding that he has family in Struthers and “grew up here.”