METRO DIGEST || Military surplus bill

Military surplus bill

WARREN

Trumbull County commissioners approved a resolution asking local representatives to the U.S. House and Senate to oppose a bill that would cut off the supply of military surplus items to local communities.

The bill, known as the Stop Militarizing Law Enforcement Act of 2014, would “prevent transfers of equipment inappropriate for local policing, such as high-caliber weapons, long-range acoustic devices, grenade launchers, armed drones, armored vehicles and grenades or similar explosives,” according to the website of Rep. Hank Johnson of Georgia, one of the sponsors.

Commissioners Frank Fuda and Dan Polivka said Trumbull County has received and used Humvees and pickup trucks at the Trumbull County Sheriff’s Office that came from the program. The equipment has saved the county about $2 million over the past two years, Fuda said.

Ohio Senate OKs pick

COLUMBUS

The Ohio Senate on Wednesday approved Gov. John Kasich’s pick to head the Ohio Department of Health. Richard Hodges already has served in the position for several months. Wednesday’s vote makes his selection official.

Hodges served in the Ohio House in the 1990s and most recently was head of the Ohio Turnpike. His resume also includes stints as director of coordinated care at Community Hospitals of Williams County, director of planning and marketing at the Fulton County Health Center, manager of insurance plans and related programs at the Mechanical Contractors Association of Northwest Ohio and director of legislative development and reform at the Ohio Bureau of Workers’ Compensation.

Fire displaces family

SALEM

A bedroom fire has displaced a family after a late morning fire Wednesday. Salem fire officials were called to 459 Woodland Ave. at 11:41 a.m. for the second-floor blaze. A resident was home and left the house safely before fire crews arrived. Officials said the fire was contained to the bedroom and there was smoke and heat damage to the second floor. The American Red Cross was called for assistance in finding shelter for the family.

Property damage was estimated at $9,000 plus $2,000 for contents.