METRO DIGEST || 52 departments respond to Mercer County fire

52 departments respond to fire

GREENVILLE, PA.

Fifty-two fire departments from five area counties responded to a fire at Reynolds Industrial Park that extended to at least three buildings Friday evening.

First calls for the fire came in shortly before 6 p.m., said Michelle Seher, supervisor at the Mercer County 911 Center.

In all, 25 Mercer County departments, 14 Trumbull County departments, nine Crawford County departments, three Lawrence County departments and one Venango County department helped to battle the blaze. Though some of the departments cleared the scene after a couple of hours, some remained on the scene into Friday night, Seher said.

Seher added that no injuries have been reported, and a cause hasn’t yet been identified. The blaze remains under investigation.

Roundabout bidders

YOUNGSTOWN

Parella-Pannunzio Inc. of Austintown is the apparent low bidder at $696,693 for construction of a roundabout, a one-lane traffic circle that will be installed at Mathews and Sheridan roads in Boardman this summer.

The other bidders are: Kirila Contractors Inc. of Brookfield, $723,715; R.T. Vernal Paving & Excavating Inc. of North Lima, $769,771; and S.E.T. Inc. of Lowellville, $820,838.

The Mahoning County commissioners have not awarded a contract for the job, for which county Engineer Patrick Ginnetti said the intersection will be closed for 60 to 90 days.

The project is designed to improve traffic flow and safety. When it is completed, there will be no traffic lights or stop signs in the intersection.

Race for kids today

CANFIELD

The Color Blaze 5K to benefit Akron Children’s Hospital Mahoning Valley is today at the Canfield Fairgrounds.

Registration begins at 8 a.m., and the race starts at 11. Four thousand runners are scheduled to participate.

The Color Blaze 5K is sponsored by the Credit Union for Kids Children’s Miracle Network campaign which benefits Akron Children’s Hospital Mahoning Valley. For information, visit colorblaze5k.com/.

Sensory-sensitive movie for autistic disorders

YOUNGSTOWN

The Mahoning Valley office of the Autism Society of Ohio, the regional chapter of the Autism Society of America and Encore Cinema will have a free sensory-sensitive movie at 10 a.m. today at Encore Cinema in the Great East Plaza.

It is being done for National Autism Awareness Month.

The film “Frozen” will be shown in 2D in a safe and accepting environment for people with autism-spectrum disorders. Among the features are auditorium lights that will not be completely dimmed; sound will be turned down; audience members can bring a blanket, pillow or snack; and getting up, dancing, walking shouting and singing will be OK.

Sobriety checkpoint

WARREN

The Trumbull County OVI Task Force will have a sobriety checkpoint 8 p.m. to 12 a.m. today in the Warren area.

The goals of the task force are to reduce the number of traffic-related fatal crashes, reduce the number of alcohol-related traffic crashes, reduce the number of speed related crashes, and increase safety-belt use.

Workforce development

YOUNGSTOWN

The Mahoning Youngstown Community Action Partnership is offering its Workforce Development Program, beginning April 28, for Mahoning County residents interested in learning work-related skills to obtain and maintain a job.

Program information sessions are 9 a.m. to noon and 1 to 4 p.m. Wednesday at the MYCAP Youngstown Office, 1325 Fifth Ave. Potential candidates must attend one of the information sessions. They must be a Mahoning County resident 18 or older, have a high school diploma or G.E.D., and committed to six weeks of classroom instruction. The Workforce Development Program is free for individuals whose income is at or below the 125 percent of the federal poverty income guidelines. For information, call MYCAP at 330-747-7921 ext. 1190 or ext. 1724, or visit www.my-cap.org.

Garden District meeting Tuesday

YOUNGSTOWN

The Garden District Neighborhood Association will meet 6:30 p.m. Tuesday at Fellows Riverside Gardens, 123 McKinley Ave.

Guest speaker will be Ted Szmaj, a representative of the city of Youngstown’s Water Department, who will give an overview of the responsibilities and duties of the Water Department. Councilman Mike Ray, D-4th, will give updates of activities on the West Side and city of Youngstown.

Lowellville clean-up

LOWELLVILLE

Lowellville will have a spring cleanup day from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. April 26.

The event will start at the school ball fields and travel to the downtown Veterans Memorial Peace Park on Water Street. Lunch will be served for all volunteers who participate in the cleanup.

The village also will be street sweeping starting Monday. Lowellville residents are reminded to sweep any gravel from driveways and sidewalks down to the street for pickup by the street department.

Survival driving skills

BOARDMAN

Tire Rack Street Survival Teen Driving Schools, a national driver-education program that teaches skills needed to stay alive behind the wheel, is coming to Boardman Park, 375 Boardman-Poland Road, from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. April 27.

The program improves driver competence through hands-on experiences in real-world driving situations. Students are taught in their own cars, so the skills they learn can be directly translated to their daily driving experiences.

The program is open to licensed and permitted drivers age 15 to 21. Forms, schedules and information can be found online at www.streetsurvival.org. Cost is $75 per student, and some insurance companies offer premium discounts to graduates.