Traffic dangerous around holiday

July 4, 2013 at 12:00a.m.

yOUNGSTOWN

Alcohol- and drug-impaired driving incidents make Independence day a traditionally dangerous holiday on Ohio’s roadways, according to an Ohio Department of Transportation report.

On July 4 last year, 263 drivers were arrested on charges related to drug and alcohol use, ODOT said. Across the state, there were 87 crashes that were a result of operating a vehicle under the influence.

Drivers should remember to be safe and avoid alcohol before getting behind the wheel, ODOT Director Jerry Wray said in an email. “We want motorists to avoid being a statistic,” he added.

Murder charge filed

SEBRING

A 54-year-old resident of the Country Squire mobile home park along U.S. Route 62 in Knox Township, Columbiana County, was arrested on a murder charge.

The arrest followed the 11:45 p.m. Tuesday shooting death of his 46-year-old neighbor on a porch in that community.

Frank Gorichky is charged in the slaying of Michael Fisher after witnesses said the two men had been arguing, according to The Vindicator’s broadcast partner, 21 WFMJ-TV. The case is being investigated by the Columbiana County sheriff’s and coroner’s offices and the Ohio Bureau of Criminal Investigation.

House a total loss

YOUNGSTOWN

City firefighters declared a total loss to a vacant South Side home that went up in smoke about 9:10 a.m. Wednesday.

Crews called to 52 E. Avondale Ave. found light smoke coming from the home, and firefighters managed to contain the fire to the side of the home.

A report said the home was filled with debris and furniture. Damage was listed at $6,000.

Road work to begin

Beginning Monday, drivers negotiating U.S. Route 224 over Interstate 680 in Boardman can expect to see the first signs of extensive work on the widening project.

There will be nightly lane restrictions between 9 p.m. and 6 a.m., and the project continues until further notice. The work on the bridge and ramps is scheduled for completion in late October 2014.

Monday also is the start date for new work on U.S. Route 422 in Campbell. The road will be closed between state Route 616 and Struthers-Liberty Road through early October this year for a bridge replacement. More work is coming to that intersection after the bridge replacement as Ohio Department of Transportation installs signal upgrades and improves ramp curves.

Registration deadline

WARREN

July 16 is the registration deadline for the Raymond J. Wean Foundation’s Peer-to-Peer Facilitated Dialogue Series session for nonprofit organization leaders on “Relevant Marketing Strategies” offered from 4 to 6 p.m. July 23 at the Foundation’s headquarters, 147 W. Market St., Warren.

The cost of $10 per person includes light refreshments. To register, visit www.rjweanfdn.org. For information, call Lori Wiebe 330-394-5600, ext. 100. The presenter is Kim St. John-Stevenson, president and communications strategist for Ink+, LLC.

The Peer-to-Peer Facilitated Dialogue Series brings nonprofit leaders together to discuss and learn and share information about specific topics. In the July 23 session, topics include fliers, television and newspaper public-service announcements, newsletters, social media, paid advertising, local news coverage, billboards, radio spots, direct mailings, telephone calls and email blasts.

Mental-health course to be offered

Help Hotline Crisis Center of Mahoning County and Help Hotline Crisis Center of Trumbull County are offering “Bridges,” a free 10-week mental-health educational course for anyone suffering with depression or other mental-health issue.

The classes are from 5 to 7 p.m. every Monday starting July 29 in Mahoning County, 1344 Fifth Ave., and from 5 to 7 p.m. every Tuesday starting July 30 at ValleyCare Trumbull Memorial Hospital, 1350 E. Market St. Call Nancy at 330-747-5111 to register at either location.