Group plans meeting on education, drugs

Group plans meeting on education, drugs

YOUNGSTOWN

The Mahoning Valley Organizing Collaborative has planned a public meeting to address education, drug addiction and neighborhood safety titled “Breaking Chains and Building Hope” from 6 to 7:30 p.m. Oct. 27 at Tabernacle Baptist Church, 707 Arlington St.

For information contact Rebecca Soldan at 330-301-1100 and rebecca@mvorganizing.org, or Wayne Huggins at 330-333-0957 and wayne@ohorganizing.org.

Fall Fest Parade set

STRUTHERS

Struthers Elementary School, 520 Ninth St., will have its Fall Fest Parade beginning at 12:30 p.m. Oct. 31. Students will start the parade outside (weather permitting) and will travel down Ninth, Lincoln and Eighth streets, and then back to school. In the event of bad weather, the parade will begin in the school’s gym.

Tod Cemetery tour

YOUNGSTOWN

Local historian Steffon Wydell Jones will lead a tour of historic Tod Cemetery, 2200 Belmont Ave., at 1 p.m. Saturday. If there is inclement weather that day, the tour will take place at 1 p.m. Oct. 25. For information, call Jones at 330-259-2091.

Bonfire to close street

YOUNGSTOWN

Grant Street between Belmont and Ford avenues will be closed from 8 a.m. Thursday to 1 a.m. Friday to accommodate the 2014 YSU Homecoming Bonfire.

More Digest, A6

Rollover accident on S. Side critically injures two people

YOUNGSTOWN

Two people were injured critically in a one-vehicle rollover accident on the South Side on Sunday afternoon, Vindicator news partner 21 WFMJ-TV reported.

According to the report, the accident happened about 3:30 p.m. on East Woodland Avenue.

A male and female were passengers in the car. The man was listed in critical condition, and the woman in very critical condition as of Sunday night.

Youngstown police have not released the names of the victims.

Safe Halloween Night planned

YOUNGSTOWN

A Safe Halloween Night event, sponsored by the Black Knights Police Association, Youngstown Department of Parks and Recreation and the Penrose Management Co. will take place from 5 to 8 p.m. Oct. 31 at Arlington Heights Recreation Center, 903 Otis St.

Refreshments, entertainment and games for children 12 and under will be offered. Prizes will be awarded for best costume and most original costume. All children must be accompanied by an adult.

Organizers need candy, cookies, cupcakes, potato chips, hot dogs, buns, pizza, juice and gift certificates to be issued as prizes for the event. Arrangements can be made to drop-off or pick up any donated goods. Organizers also need volunteers to assist during the Halloween event. To make arrangements to donate or volunteer, contact Delphine Baldwin-Casey at 330-559-1927 or Maybelline Jones at 330-747-3180.

St. Joe’s plans forum on joints

NILES

St. Joseph Health Center will host an informational program for those interested in learning about joint replacement Thursday in the center court at Eastwood Mall.

Health care professionals will present information regarding joint-replacement options, surgical procedures and rehabilitation after surgery.

The program runs from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. and includes time for questions and answers.

Speakers are Angie Massacci, perioperative nurse manager; DeAnna Matzye, surgical assistant nurse manager and coordinator of the Orthopedics by Design program; Denise Mariani, licensed social worker; Hans Kirr, physical therapy manager; and Brenda Stanko, occupational therapist. To reserve a seat, call 330-652-7542.

College puts Bible on display

GAMBIER

A modern Bible handcrafted using feather quills and traditional paints is being displayed at a central Ohio college.

The St. John’s Bible — featuring calligraphy illustrations made from materials including lapis lazuli, malachite, silver and 24-karat gold — will be displayed beginning Sunday at Kenyon College in Gambier, about 55 miles northeast of Columbus.

The Columbus Dispatch reports that a scholar will be at the college to discuss the creation of the Bible, which was commissioned in 1998.

Woman hurt breathing fire

COLUMBUS

An Ohio woman was hospitalized in critical condition after she was burned while performing a fire-breathing act at a Halloween-themed racing event.

The 23-year-old woman was performing about 7 p.m. Saturday near Nationwide Arena at the Blood Run 5K, a benefit for people with blood disorders, when paramedics were called.

Social media posts from the event showed Keach blowing a cloud of flame above her head, then someone wrote, “The fire breather just caught on fire.”

Scanner traffic indicated she was burned on her face, neck and top half of her body and transported to Wexner Medical Center at Ohio State University.

Ashley Keach of Columbus identified herself on Facebook as the fire-breather. She said her injuries were minor, and she would be “just fine.”

Cop charged in popcorn theft

TOLEDO

A police officer in Toledo has been placed on unpaid suspension after he pleaded no contest to stealing caramel popcorn from a convenience store.

Authorities say the 52-year-old officer was on duty and in uniform on two back-to-back occasions when he took caramel popcorn from the Oregon Circle K.

Sgt. Richard Whitman pleaded no contest to a misdemeanor theft charge. He was fined and placed on probation. He also paid back $3 for the popcorn.

The Blade newspaper in Toledo reports he will remain on leave while Toledo police conduct an internal investigation.

Whitman’s lawyer says he has no prior record and a sterling record during his 24 years as an officer. He also says Whitman is seeking professional advice from medical providers.

FROM STAFF AND WIRE REPORTS