METRO DIGEST || OVI checkpoint tonight
OVI checkpoint set in Trumbull County
SOUTHINGTON
The Ohio State Highway Patrol will have an operating motor vehicles impaired checkpoint Friday evening in Trumbull County.
The checkpoint, funded by federal grant funds, is planned to deter and intercept impaired drivers. “Based on provisional data, there were 274 OVI-related fatal crashes in which 300 people were killed last year in Ohio,” said Lt. Brian Holt, commander of the Southington Post.
The location of the checkpoint will be announced today.
Roads closing in park for race
YOUNGSTOWN
These roads in Mill Creek Park will be closed to vehicular traffic as well as cyclists and pedestrians from 7 to 10:30 a.m. Sunday for the Run Ytown 10 Miler: Old Mill, West Newport, East Newport and Chestnut Hill drives and Kreider’s Entrance.
Warrant issued
BOARDMAN
Township police issued an arrest warrant for Desmond Clark, 32, of Youngstown, for passing bad checks and theft by deception.
Clark was identified in line-ups by victims who reported that Clark approached them, claimed not to have an ID and asked them to cash checks for him. He remains at large.
Three victims were approached at the Southern Park Mall, 7401 Market St., and a Shell station, 5135 Market. The victims were later notified by their banks that the checks were bad.
Clark was arrested for similar incidents that happened in July. He was accused of stealing gas station gift cards, then selling them to victims.
Clark pleaded not guilty in August to charges of theft and theft by deception.
He is scheduled to appear in court for a pretrial hearing on those charges Oct. 7.
NAMI walk set for Sunday to raise funds
AUSTINTOWN
The 2014 NAMI Mahoning Valley “Steps Against Stigma” walk is at 1:30 p.m. Sunday at Austintown Township Park, 6000 Kirk Road. Registration is at 12:30 p.m.
The purposes of the annual NAMI — National Alliance on Mental Illness — walk are to raise awareness about mental illness and to raise money to benefit individuals with serious mental illness. The theme of the NAMI Walk is “Changing Minds ... One Step at a Time.”
Teams or individuals may walk and collect pledges to raise money for NAMI. There will be prizes for the best T-shirt, for the largest team, and most money raised. Post-walk contributions may be mailed to Cheryl Parsons, NAMI Walk manager, P.O. Box 161, Canfield, OH 44406. For information, call 330-770-4975.
Poland Zoning Appeals hearing canceled
POLAND
Poland Village Board of Zoning Appeals hearing continuation that was set for 7 p.m. Wednesday has been canceled.
YWCA gets grant
WARREN
The YWCA here has been awarded a $105,000 Appalachian Regional Commission grant to support the facility’s Center of Economic Independence STEM Lab project.
The money will be used to convert locker room space into a classroom equipped with computers, computer equipment, and two handicapped-accessible restrooms, according to a press release from U.S. Sen. Sherrod Brown.
It will house a new technology education and training program to prepare students, out-of-school youth and adults for post-secondary education and jobs. Total project cost is $210,000.
ARC is a federal-state partnership focused on economic development in the 13 Appalachian states.
Bills to be issued
LEETONIA
Leetonia Utilities Department is announcing that water and sewer bills for village residents will not be sent out until Thursday. The due date for the bills has been extended from Oct. 15 to Oct. 17. For information, contact water clerk Susan Simpson at 330-427-6720.
East Liverpool raid nets cash, drugs
EAST LIVERPOOL
Columbiana County authorities performed a raid Thursday that led to taking cash, crack cocaine and heroin.
Brittney Robinson was arrested by the Columbiana County Drug Task Force, Columbiana County Special Response Team, Columbiana County Sheriff deputies and East Liverpool police on a warrant for failure to appear in Canfield. A release from the county task force said the search warrant was issued at 242 Moore St. in East Liverpool and was obtained after a month-long investigation.
Authorities found $600 in cash and $500 worth of crack cocaine and heroin. The investigation continues, according to the release.
Concert at Fitch
AUSTINTOWN
The students and teachers of Fitch High School are kicking off the year with an afternoon concert at 3 p.m. Sunday in the auditorium at the high school, 4560 Falcon Drive.
The school will debut a new baby grand piano during the concert that will showcase piano students, teachers and the Fitch concert choir. The performance will feature selections from Billy Joel, Elton John, Debussy and Bach.
Tickets are $5 for adults, and $3 for students and senior citizens 62 and older.
Dig Fest in Warren
warren
A “Dig Fest” will be at 1 p.m. today at the new “Vineyard on Vine,” 454 Vine Ave. NE, in Warren’s Garden District.
Volunteers will be working to prepare the site for the upcoming grape season. Volunteers are asked to bring gloves. All other equipment will be provided.
Mathews boosters plan band night
warren
Mathews Music Boosters and the Mathews Marching Mustangs will present an array of styles of marching bands at 7 p.m. Oct. 8 at the Annual Mathews Band night.
The bands include Southington Chalker, Wellsville and Mathews. It will be at Booster Field, at the end of Sheridan Drive, off state Route 193.
Cost is $5 for adults, $3.50 for senior citizens, free for children under age 6.
Fire damages kitchen at house in Warren
WARREN
A kitchen fire caused damage to a home Thursday.
Warren fire officials were called to 717 Delaware Ave. SW at 7:19 p.m. Thursday for a kitchen fire in the home. There were no injuries and authorities left the home at 7:57 p.m.
There was damage to the kitchen and smoke damage throughout the home. An official with Warren Fire Department said the Red Cross picked up a mother and two children Thursday night and gave them a place to stay.