Troopers seize 1,705 counterfeit items during turnpike stop

Troopers seize 1,705 counterfeit items during turnpike stop

YOUNGSTOWN

Troopers with the Ohio State Highway Patrol arrested a New York man after they seized 1,705 counterfeit items during a traffic stop on the Ohio Turnpike.

Troopers stopped a 2008 Chevrolet Express Cargo Van for an improper lane change on the turnpike in Mahoning County at 6:26 p.m. Wednesday, according to a patrol press release. The driver was found to have two active felony warrants for counterfeit simulation and trademark counterfeiting.

The driver was taken into custody, and an inventory of the van revealed 252 counterfeit purses, 55 counterfeit pocket books, 80 pairs of counterfeit Dr. Dre Beats headphones, 204 bottles of counterfeit perfume, 292 counterfeit T-shirts and sweatshirts, 240 counterfeit hats, and 582 pairs of counterfeit sunglasses.

The driver, Man Zhang, 30, of Woodside, N.Y., was placed in the county jail. He is charged with trademark counterfeiting and criminal simulation, both fourth-degree felonies. He was also jailed on the two active warrants.

Niles church takes SmartChoice orders

Niles

New Hope United Methodist Church, 21 Fairview Ave., is accepting orders for Smart Choice food from 4 to 5 p.m. next Saturday and April 7, 8 p.m. April 11 and 11 a.m. to noon April 15. The Ohio Direction Card will be accepted April 11 and 15.

Boxes include meat, vegetables, convenience meals, lunch box, breakfast box, pork chop box, breaded chicken breast box and a four-for-four meal box. Prices range from $18 to $36.

There are no income restrictions or guidelines. Mail orders will be accepted with payment of postal or bank money orders or certified checks made out to New Hope United Methodist Church. Online orders at www.smartchoicefood.com close at 6 p.m. April 17. A 3 percent handling fee is added to all online orders.

Distribution will be from 9 to 10 a.m. April 27. A community breakfast at the church will be served in conjunction with the distribution from 9 to 10:30 a.m. For information, call 330-652-4616.

Audits applauded

YOUNGSTOWN

Ohio Auditor David Yost lauded two Mahoning Valley entities for their clean audit reports. The Mollie Kessler School, 118 E. Wood St., Youngstown, and the Weathersfield Local School District were Auditor of State Award recipients.

According to an auditor’s office press release, the award is presented to local governments and school districts upon the completion of a financial audit that meet these requirements: The audit does not contain any findings for recovery, citations, weaknesses, significant deficiencies or questioned costs.

Deals for Wheels

Youngstown

The Mahoning County Child Support Enforcement Agency is offering its annual Deals for Your Wheels program for those whose driver’s licenses have been suspended for nonpayment of child support.

From Monday through April 30, parents can get their driver’s licenses reinstated by paying just one month’s child support plus $1 and a $25 reinstatement fee.

Normally, a three-month minimum payment or verified employment for wage withholding purposes is required. People who want to participate should visit CSEA at Oakhill Renaissance Place, 345 Oak Hill Ave., between 8 a.m. and 4 p.m. Monday through Friday and ask to speak to a license- suspension case manager.

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