METRO DIGEST || Western Reserve crash

Western Reserve crash

POLAND

The Ohio State Highway Patrol is investigating a multivehicle crash that occurred Friday afternoon on Western Reserve Road.

A vehicle westbound on Western Reserve, between Market Street and Southern Boulevard, crossed over to the left-side lane and hit another vehicle heading in the opposite direction at about 3:40 p.m.

A third vehicle was unable to avoid the accident. The crash sent four people with non-life-threatening injuries to St. Elizabeth Youngstown Hospital. Traffic was delayed until after 5 p.m.

Fire destroys barn

AUSTINTOWN

A township barn was ruled a total loss after a fire Wednesday afternoon.

Fire crews were called to 4158 Belle Ave. for a barn fire at 4:38 p.m. Fire Chief Andy Frost III said two trucks from the Weathersfield Fire Department were called to assist.

According to the fire report, the resident had finished using a fire pit about an hour before crews were called. A large amount of wood was found near the fire pit and spread to a nearby barn/garage.

Frost said crews stopped the blaze from destroying the residence. No one was home at the time, and no one was injured.

The home’s residents are staying with relatives due to smoke damage caused by the blaze. A neighbor was able to get pets out of the home.

Woman faces drug, trespassing charges

CAMPBELL

Police arrested Toni Hartman, 41, of Campbell on charges of possession of drugs and criminal trespassing Thursday night.

According to a police report, Hartman was walking into the Youngstown Metropolitan Housing Authority property on Jackson Street, despite having been given a criminal-trespass warning in the past.

Officers stopped Hartman and found a small amount of suspected cocaine in her sock. Hartman will be arraigned on the charges Tuesday in Campbell Municipal Court.

Arrested in car theft

STRUTHERS

A traffic stop early Friday resulted in the arrest of a man suspected of stealing a car in Youngstown.

According to a police report, Craig Honkonen, 33, of Niles, ran out of the reportedly stolen vehicle after being stopped by a police officer on Overlook Boulevard. An officer caught up with Honkonen and arrested him in a backyard on Overlook.

The vehicle’s owner said the car had sustained damage since Honkonen took it and that her purse and driver’s license were missing.

Honkonen pleaded not guilty to a misdemeanor charge of obstructing official business at his arraignment Friday in Struthers Municipal Court. He will answer to a fourth-degree felony charge of receiving stolen property when he appears at his preliminary hearing Friday in municipal court. His bond was set at $5,000.

Residents report thefts from unlocked cars

STRUTHERS

Police are investigating thefts from unlocked vehicles reported Thursday.

A resident told police someone took $12 in cash and credit cards from an unlocked car parked overnight on Parkway Street. The resident also said the car’s radio had been tampered with as if someone had attempted to remove it, a police report states.

Another resident reported someone had taken two wallets from two unlocked vehicles parked overnight on Spring Street. Additionally, a resident reported someone had rummaged through an unlocked car parked on Creed Street but didn’t appear to have taken anything.

Inpatient behavioral care extended to Dec. 31

NEW CASTLE, PA.

After a recent announcement of the pending closure of Jameson Health System’s inpatient Behavioral Health Services effective Friday, a plan has been worked out to extend operation of inpatient services at the South Campus through at least Dec. 31. Jameson’s executive board of directors approved the extension.

Jameson continues to offer 24-hour emergency-room crisis management, inpatient behavioral health care and partial hospitalization outpatient psychiatric services, hospital officials said.

Playground is closed

NORTH JACKSON

The playground at Jackson Township’s Liberty Park is closed indefinitely due to renovation or possible relocation. Jackson Township trustees have advised the public to stay off the playground until further notice.

Cochran Park group will meet Tuesday

YOUNGSTOWN

The Cochran Park Neighbors group will meet at 6:30 p.m. Tuesday at the Oasis Center, 850 E. Midlothian Blvd. Guest speaker will be the neighborhoods’ community police officer, Phil Skowron, who will talk to the group about his duties as a community officer and answer questions.

Councilman John R. Swierz, D-7th, also will be present. Refreshments will be provided. All are welcome.

Business challenge

YOUNGSTOWN

Warriors Inc. Summer Youth Leadership program will have a Youth Leadership Business Challenge from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Tuesday at the Sword of the Lord Global Ministries Outreach Site, 907 Catalina Ave.

Warriors Inc. Summer Youth Leadership program was challenged to create a business, and the top four participants were selected by their peers. The chosen groups will present their businesses and products to six business owners.

Warriors Inc. provided the four youths with $25 to be used toward the purchase of materials to create their products. All other participants were asked to showcase their written business proposals to be reviewed and given tips by business owners.