METRO DIGEST || Mill Creek sledding area open

Sledding area open

YOUNGSTOWN

Mill Creek MetroParks officials remind the public that the park’s Wick Recreation Area at the intersection of Belle Vista Avenue and McCollum Road is open for sledding fun.

Sled Hill is open daily, weather permitting, from 8 a.m. to 9:30 p.m. The hill is lighted and features an outdoor fire pit next to the Thomas J. Bresko Pavilion. Younger sled riders can use the Hobbit Hill, reserved for children 48 inches and under.

If sledders get too cold or need a break from sledding, they can visit the snack bar inside the Warming House for a hot or cold beverage or snack. There are restrooms inside the Warming House along with a gas fireplace. The Warming House is open Monday through Fridayfrom 3 to 9:30 p.m. and Saturday and Sunday from noon to 9:30 p.m.

For the sledding schedule, call Mill Creek MetroParks at 330-740-7114.

Assault charges

BOARDMAN

Township police arrested a 54-year-old man on an assault charge Thursday.

John Finley III of Overhill Road was arrested on a warrant at his home.

On Dec. 27, Finley’s sister and brother-in-law called police after a fight with Finley, according to the police report.

The brother-in-law’s arm was bleeding from a puncture wound and cut he told police he suffered from fighting Finley.

According to the report, Finley refused to let his family take some of his mother’s belongings, including a table.

Finley was released by police on a summons to appear in area court here on the assault charge at 8 a.m. Tuesday.

Suspect sought

BOARDMAN

Police are looking for whoever attempted to obtain drugs by deception at a township drugstore Thursday.

Officials at Walgreens on Market Street told police someone called in a prescription for hydrocodone, a pain reliever, on the pharmacy’s message machine. The prescription supposedly came from a doctor at ValleyCare Northside Medical Center, but a pharmacist called the hospital and discovered the doctor was on vacation.

The pharmacist also discovered a prescription filled Dec. 16 for hydrocodone supposedly written by the same doctor also was fraudulent.

Man faces charges

AUSTINTOWN

A 35-year-old Boardman man was charged with theft and forgery after Austintown police say he used a fraudulent check at a local pawn shop.

Brendann J. McNeal of Melrose Avenue is now in Mahoning County jail until his court date at 1 p.m. Monday in area court here.

In March 2013, police were called to Austintown Pawn for a fraudulent check for $1,980. The pawn shop called the business on the check and asked for verification. An employee for the company told the pawn shop it was not a legitimate check. A warrant was issued for his arrest and police recently picked up McNeal on the warrant at the Columbiana Police Department.

School board meets

MINERAL RIDGE

Weathersfield Board of Education selected Robert Palmer as president for 2014 at its organizational meeting Friday.

Atty. Joshua Garris was named vice president, and Bruce Bacak was named township representative.

The board hired Christine Pepperney as a special-education teacher for seventh through 12th grades.

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