METRO DIGEST || New Year’s Polar Bear Bike Ride
Polar Bear Bike Ride in Hermitage
HERMITAGE, PA.
The Shenango Valley YMCA, 925 N. Hermitage Road, will host its 13th annual Polar Bear Bike Ride on New Year’s Day. All riders can participate in one of the three routes, with distances of about 11, 21 or 30 miles. Riders leave the YMCA at 10:30 a.m. Thursday.
The routes are over lightly traveled country roads with no rest stops along the way. A sag wagon will sweep the course to provide aid to those in need. A lunch will be served at the YMCA afterward.
Riders who register early receive discounts on registration and T-shirts. Registration also will be available the day of the event from 9:30 to 10:30 a.m.
For information, visit www.svymca.com, or contact Joellen Arenas, CEO of the Shenango Valley YMCA, by calling 724-981-6950 or emailing jarenas@svymca.com.
Supply running low
YOUNGSTOWN
The supply of “Recipes of Youngstown” cookbooks is running low. Some still are available at Fellows Riverside Gardens’ front desk, 123 McKinley Ave., or at Ford Nature Center, 840 Old Furnace Road. For hours available, call 330-702-3000.
Probing trailer theft
AUSTINTOWN
Township police are investigating the theft of a company trailer taken early Wednesday. According to a police report, an unidentified person stole a trailer from Ryan Carpet, 70 Victoria Road, about 2 a.m. Surveillance video from a nearby business caught the person hooking the trailer up and driving off.
Gun stolen
AUSTINTOWN
A township man told police his gun was stolen from his Westchester Drive apartment. He said his .38-caliber Smith & Wesson handgun, holster and speed-loader were missing.
A police report says it was taken between Oct. 2 and Monday. The resident noticed the items were gone because his gun bag in his closet was open, and he keeps it shut, the report says.
Man faces charges
CAMPBELL
City police arrested Michael Maiella, 69, of Hubbard on a felony charge of carrying a concealed weapon and a misdemeanor charge of drug possession. Police saw suspicious activity in Maiella’s car at the Burger King on McCartney Road Tuesday evening. Police found a marijuana pipe, a bag containing 1.5 grams of suspected marijuana and a revolver.
Truck, items stolen
AUSTINTOWN
Police are investigating the theft of a truck and other items from a township home Wednesday night. The couple living on Lanterman Road returned home at 8:53 p.m. to find the truck missing from their garage. A rock was thrown through a garage window — there was a smeared handprint on another window — and the home was entered as well. Jewelry and money, between $50 and $70 in rolled coins, were taken, along with a watch from the family’s bedroom.
Sewer bills to rise
GIRARD
The new year will bring higher sewer bills in the city of Girard, reports Vindicator news partner 21 WFMJ-TV. City council approved legislation Friday, raising rates 70 cents per 1,000 gallons beginning Jan. 1.
Rates will rise an additional 92 cents per 1,000 gallons in 2016.
Mayor Jim Melfi says the increase was needed to meet state mandates for improvements at the waste treatment plant.