METRO DIGEST || PUCO OKs gates

PUCO OKs gates

LISBON

The Public Utilities Commission of Ohio on Wednesday approved construction authorization from the Ohio Rail Development Commission directing Norfolk Southern Railway to install mast-mounted flashing lights and roadway gates at the Lippincott Road grade crossing in West Township, Columbiana County.

The railroad will be responsible for completing the upgrade by May 28, 2014. Federal funding will be provided.

To increase public safety during the project, the PUCO will assist the local government with the cost of improvements such as rumble strips, illumination, improved signage or other safety enhancements at the project location. Funding will come from the State Grade Crossing Safety Fund and will not exceed $5,000.

DeChristofaro reprimanded

COLUMBUS

A former Trumbull County engineer was reprimanded by the Ohio Ethics Commission after he participated in a lawsuit settlement between the county and his business partner, according to The Vindicator’s broadcast partner 21 WFMJ-TV.

The $300,000 settlement came after a business partner of David DeChristofaro sued the county over his company’s removal from a Newton Falls covered bridge project that was later finished by another company.

The ethics commission will not ask the Trumbull County prosecutor to pursue charges because DeChristofaro did not profit from the lawsuit settlement.

Marijuana citation

YOUNGSTOWN

Police cited a man for a marijuana charge late Tuesday evening after employees of O’Donold’s Irish Pub and Grill, 122 W. Federal St., called to complain of a drug transaction inside.

An officer was called to the bar at about 10:35 p.m., where employees said they saw a man sell a bag of marijuana to another man. An officer found Luis Velaquez, 32, who matched the description of one of the two men and an officer asked if he could search Velaquez. The officer found a bag of marijuana in his pocket.

Velaquez was cited for the misdemeanor charge of possession of marijuana and given a court date of next week.