METRO DIGEST || Kids book festival at Fellows gardens

Kids book festival

YOUNGSTOWN

The ninth annual Plant the Seed to Read Children’s Book Festival will take place from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday at Mill Creek MetroParks Fellows Riverside Gardens, 123 McKinley Ave. The free event brings together authors, illustrators, storytellers and hands-on activities to promote literacy in the Mahoning Valley. This year’s theme is “Soar into Reading.”

Sponsors are the Youngstown chapter of Altrusa International, Western Reserve Public Media, the Public Library of Youngstown & Mahoning County, and Mill Creek MetroParks. Visit www.millcreekmetroparks.org or call Fellows Riverside Gardens at 330-740-7116 for information.

Closed for run

YOUNGSTOWN

These Mill Creek Park roads will be closed to vehicles, cyclists and pedestrians from 7 a.m. to noon Sunday for the Casal’s 5K run: Old Mill, West Newport, East Newport, Chestnut Hill, New Cross, Bears Den, Cross and West drives; and Kreider’s Entrance.

To be sentenced

CLEVELAND

A defendant in a Georgia-to-Youngstown heroin- trafficking ring that operated from January 2013 until last fall will be sentenced by a federal judge at 12:30 p.m. July 21 after being convicted in a two-day jury trial this week.

Jabbar D. Spires, 34, of Youngstown was convicted of one count of conspiracy to distribute heroin and three counts of using a telephone to facilitate drug trafficking. Three co-defendants in the case, who pleaded guilty Monday to conspiracy to distribute heroin and launder money, also will be sentenced in July.

Coalition event

YOUNGSTOWN

The 7th Ward Citizen’s Coalition will host its 20th anniversary dinner-dance and fundraiser next Friday at The Byzantine Center at The Grove, 3801 Shady Run Road. The celebration will begin at 6:30 p.m. with hors d’oeuvres and a cash bar, and dinner will follow at 7.

The event will include a short program, musical entertainment and an auction. Proceeds will benefit the coalition’s revitalization and other activities. Tickets are $25. Reservations are required and must be made by today. Call 330-782-5287 for reservations, or send a check payable to 7WCC to P.O. Box 1264, Youngstown, OH 44501.

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