METRO DIGEST || Robberty attempt on Ohio Avenue

Robbery attempt north of YSU

YOUNGSTOWN

Youngstown State University police said that shortly after 9 p.m. Thursday, a man working on his car parked in a carport reported a man approached him from behind and tried to rob him. The incident occurred in the 800 block of Ohio Avenue, just north of the YSU campus, according to a YSU alert notification sent Thursday night. The suspect fled and police checked the area but didn’t find him. The suspect is described as a 5-foot-10-inch-tall black man, weighing 215 pounds and wearing a black hoodie and black pants.

Farrell man sentenced for criminal contempt

PITTSBURGH

A Farrell, Pa., man, who failed to self-report as directed to serve a six-month prison sentence for violating terms of his supervised release, received a 21-month prison term for criminal contempt Thursday from a federal judge.

Robert M. Spruill, 30, who had served 57 months in federal prison for drug trafficking and firearms offenses, drew the sentence from U.S. District Judge Cathy Bissoon.

U.S. marshals found and arrested Spruill on Jan. 10, 2013, on a bench warrant, as he hid under clothing in an attic in his girlfriend’s Mercer County residence, seven days after he failed to self-report to U.S. marshals in Pittsburgh.

Food donations sought for Second Harvest

CANFIELD

L. Calvin Jones & Co., 3744 Starr Centre Drive, is asking the public to bring food donations to the company’s building between 9 a.m. and 4 p.m. Monday through Friday through Oct. 31.

The goal is to collect at least 150 pounds of food for the community through Second Harvest Food Bank of the Mahoning Valley. The insurance company will present one 10-pound turkey for each 50 pounds of food collected.

Donations may consist of any nonperishable item, including peanut butter, cereal, canned vegetables, tuna fish, dry pasta, canned fruit, and macaroni and cheese.

Murray pleads guilty to meth manufacture

WARREN

Daniel A. Murray, 26, of Ophelia Street, Newton Falls, pleaded guilty Thursday to two charges related to the manufacture of methamphetamine.

Judge Ronald Rice of Trumbull County Common Pleas Court will sentence Murray after the county’s Adult Probation Department conducts a pre-sentence investigation. He could get nearly 10 years in prison.

Murray was arrested after investigators went to his home in March and found substances used in the manufacture of methamphetamine outside the garage.

Aikens found guilty of raping 10-year-old

WARREN

A jury deliberated only 20 minutes Thursday before finding Tyler Aikens, 19, of Parkman Road Southwest, guilty of rape and two counts of gross sexual imposition.

Aikens was on trial this week in the courtroom of Judge Peter Kontos of Trumbull County Common Pleas Court. Aikens will be sentenced Nov. 3.

Prosecutors said Aikens engaged in sexual conduct with a 10-year-old boy last fall at Aikens’ house while baby-sitting the victim and his two younger brothers.

The offenses occurred in a bedroom where Aikens and the victim were watching a movie. Aikens is facing a possible prison sentence of life in prison with parole eligibility after 20 years.

Taste of Comfort Sunday in Mill Creek

YOUNGSTOWN

The Taste of Comfort event will take place at Lanterman’s Mill in Mill Creek Park from noon to 4 p.m. Sunday. Tasting tickets are six for $5, which includes admission to the mill. The event is presented by contributors to the “Recipes of Youngstown” cookbook. Samples of comfort food will be available as well as a basket raffle. All proceeds will benefit the preservation of Lanterman’s Mill.

Turkey season to start Monday in Ohio

COLUMBUS

Ohio’s hunters have the opportunity to pursue wild turkeys during a seven-week season from Monday through Nov. 30. Gobblers and hens are legal game during the fall wild turkey season. Hunters harvested 1,037 wild turkeys during the 2013 fall season. A complete report of the 2013 fall wild turkey season is available at wildohio.gov.

For questions or information, contact Ken Duren at 740-362-2410, ext. 124, or email him at Kenneth.duren@dnr.state.oh.us

Spaghetti dinner benefits for food pantry

COLUMBIANA

Caring Hands Food Ministry will host a benefit spaghetti dinner from 4 to 10:30 p.m. Saturday at American Legion Post 290, 44403 state Route 14.

Dinner will be served from 4 to 7 p.m. A special salute to veterans is planned for 7:15 p.m. and entertainment will follow beginning at 7:30. A basket auction and 50-50 raffle will be offered.

Cost is $7 for adults; children enter for free. Carryout is available. The meal includes spaghetti, salad, rolls, beverage and dessert.

All funds raised will benefit Caring Hands, an East Palestine food pantry that donates to the needy.