METRO DIGEST || Fallen firefighters bike run Saturday

Firefighters bike run

YOUNGSTOWN

The fifth annual Youngstown Fallen Firefighters Memorial Bike Run will be Saturday beginning at the Army/Navy Garrison No. 360, 1814 Logan Ave.

Registration starts at 9 a.m. and bikes will leave the site at 11 a.m. Afterward, a cash bar, food, entertainment, raffle and basket auctions will be provided at the Army/Navy Garrison.

Cost for participation is $15 per bike and $5 for passengers. A free T-shirt will be offered to the first 75 paid registrants.

All proceeds benefit the Youngstown Fallen Firefighters Memorial Fund.

For information or to register, contact Jim Sapp at 330-792-8402, Destry Rush at 330-744-5409, Craig Tershel at 330-746-2086 or Steve Knebel at 330-398-7176.

Library to close early

NORTH JACKSON

The North Jackson Branch of the Public Library of Youngstown and Mahoning County will close Saturday, a week earlier than previously announced, due to technical difficulties with telephone and Internet service, the library system announced Thursday.

The Lake Milton Branch will close at the end of next week. The branches are being merged into a newly built $2 million branch at 13820 Mahoning Ave., known as the Tri-Lakes Branch, which is scheduled to open on or about July 22.

Vandalism at school

WARREN

Mike Coates Construction of Niles reported Thursday morning an excavator parked overnight at Jefferson K-8 School, 1548 Tod Ave. SW, was vandalized and graffiti was drawn on a wall at the school saying “T-Raw.”

The damage to the excavator included broken windows and glue in the gas tank. A school employee said a camera may have filmed the vandalism.

Struthers Day

STRUTHERS

Two bands, clowns, face-painting, magic shows, pony rides, an inflatable bouncer and a petting zoo will all be part of the 16th annual Struthers Day from 5 to 10 p.m. Thursday in Mauthe Park, 156 Smithfield St.

Aqua Ohio Water, co-sponsor of the event, will provide free food and beverages and also donate a flat-screen TV that will be raffled off in a free drawing.

Man surrenders

WARREN

Kemari James, 20, of 995 Highland Ave. SW, surrendered at Warren Police Department at 2 a.m. Thursday on warrants charging him with three counts of kidnapping and one count of aggravated burglary.

The charges relate to an incident at 1:51 a.m. May 12 in which James is accused of breaking into the Lancer Court home of an 18-year-old woman, holding a gun to her head and threatening to kill her.

The woman is the mother of James’ child, police said.

An innocent plea was entered for him in Warren Municipal Court, and a judge set bond at $100,000.

If convicted, he could face 40 years in prison.

Italian fest vendors

YOUNGSTOWN

The 2013 Greater Youngstown Italian Fest is accepting applications for retail, business and craft vendors for the fest, which is Aug. 2-4 in downtown Youngstown. For information or an application packet, contact fest organizers at italianfest1@gmail.com or at 330-501-3171.

Man found on ground

CAMPBELL

Police were notified shortly before 8 p.m. Wednesday that an injured man was on the ground near the intersection of Sixth and McVay streets. Police identified him as Christopher Depofi, 56, of Sixth Street. He had severe head trauma, and was taken by ambulance to St. Elizabeth Health Center.

In May 2009, Depofi was arrested for threatening a Youngstown police officer, as well as assaulting him with racial slurs and his fists. A Mahoning County grand jury indicted Depofi for assault in July 2009. In March 2010, Depofi was ordered to enter and complete a treatment program at Turning Point Counseling Services for a maximum of two years.

Heroin in cruiser

YOUNGSTOWN

A Berlin Center man was taken to the Mahoning County jail after police say he left a small packet of heroin in a cruiser.

Officers pulled over a car in the parking lot of a store off of Glenwood Avenue about 2:50 p.m. Wednesday because the license plates did not match the car, reports said. The car was driven by Justin Dryer, 24, police said.

Dryer was searched and officers found a used needle in his pocket. He was placed in a cruiser while his car was searched. Officers found a spoon on the floor near the front seat.

When Dryer was taken out of the cruiser, officers found a folded piece of newspaper where he was sitting, with a small amount of suspected heroin inside, reports said. He was booked into the jail on charges of possession of drug abuse instruments and drugs, and is expected to be arraigned in Youngstown Municipal Court today.

Boil advisory lifted

Hubbard

The boil advisory issued on Monday for Trumbull County water customers on Tamarack Drive is lifted. Testing on the water showed that it meets all EPA standards and is safe for consumption. For information, call the Trumbull County Sanitary Engineer’s office at 330-375-2775.