METRO DIGEST || Veterans fundraiser

Veterans fundraiser

STRUTHERS

AMVETS Post 44, American Legion Post 301 and Disabled American Veterans 2 will host a fundraiser for Relay for Life, Mahoning County Veterans Service Team on Thursday.

The event is 5 to 10 p.m. at AMVETS, 305 Elm St., at which the Grease Monkey Band will play from 6 to 9 p.m. All food and bar proceeds will be donated to Relay for Life. For information, call Jan Brown at 330-726-2552 or AMVETS Post 44 at 330-755-3333.

Austintown fire

AUSTINTOWN

Firefighters fought an apartment fire Saturday afternoon on the 4100th block of New Road.

The blaze was contained in one room in an apartment inside of a six-plex, Lt. Tim Heitzer said. Smoke damage occurred throughout the apartment, but no injuries were reported.

An occupant called the department at about 3 p.m. after he came home to the smell of smoke. The cause is undetermined, but does not appear to be suspicious, Heitzer said.

Dem endorsements

YOUNGSTOWN

The Mahoning Valley Democrat Club has announced its candidate endorsements for Tuesday’s primary election.

The club endorsed John O’Donnell and Tom Letson for Ohio Supreme Court justice; Anthony Donofrio for 7th District Court of Appeals judge; Ed FitzGerald for governor; Mark Hanni for Mahoning County Common Pleas Court judge; Brandon Kovach for 33rd District state central committeeman; Susan Maruca for Mahoning County Probate Court judge; and Cynthia McWilson for 58th Ohio House District representative.

Members also endorsed all Democrats running unopposed in the race, as well as State Issue 1 and the continuous renewal of the half-percent Mahoning County sales tax.

Niles cleanup day

NILES

The Avenue and Main organization has organized a community cleanup day for Niles from 9:30 a.m. to noon May 17. The central meeting place for the event is the Niles bike bath trailhead, near East State Street and Robbins Avenue.

The organization’s goal is to beautify the downtown Niles business area by replanting flowers in the decorative triangles along Robbins Avenue and completing general clean-up along Main Street and Robbins Avenue that will include trash pick-up, weed whacking, sweeping, clearing overgrowth and other beautification.

Volunteers are encouraged to bring their own tools. Gloves, garbage bags, rakes, weed whackers, lawn mowers and trimmers are suggested. Any individual is welcome to volunteer.

Free hot dogs and chips will be provided for volunteers at the Stoneyard Grill, 41 S. Main St., after the clean-up.

For information, contact Michael Cline at 330-544-2455 or visit the organization’s page at www.facebook.com/iamniles.

Free fishing today

COLUMBUS

Ohioans are encouraged to take advantage of the final free fishing days today. Ohioans may fish in any of the state’s public waters without having to buy a fishing license. Go to wildohio.com for information. After today, anglers age 16 and older must have a valid license to take fish, frogs or turtles from Ohio waters.