METRO DIGEST || Boardman Park sets Community Christmas

Boardman Park sets Community Christmas on Sunday afternoon

BOARDMAN

Boardman Park will host its annual Community Christmas Event from 4 to 6 p.m. Sunday.

Visitors can bring natural decorations – such as pine cones covered in peanut butter – to adorn one of the park’s pine trees. To reserve a tree for your family, call the park office at 330-726-8105 or email Angela Davis at angela@boardmanpark.com.

The event also will feature a visit from Santa, Christmas music and caroling, refreshments and the lighting of the community Christmas tree.

All activities are free and will take place near the gazebo and St. James Church.

Ohio House plans to launch task force on legalizing marijuana

COLUMBUS

The Republican head of the Ohio House said the chamber is preparing to launch a task force to further study the legalization of marijuana for medicinal uses.

House Speaker Cliff Rosenberger, R-Clarksville, told reporters this week an announcement was forthcoming on the new panel, marking a next step in lawmakers’ consideration of medical marijuana after last month’s defeat of a constitutional amendment to legalize and regulate the drug for medical and recreational purposes.

The new panel would “go out into the communities, talk to supporters on both sides of the issue and make sure we try to coalesce and make sure that we get the right things done here in the Legislature,” Rosenberger said.

Suspect sought in Hermitage homicide

HERMITAGE, PA. (AP)

Police continued to search for a suspect after a man was shot in a yard after an argument outside a city home.

Police Chief Brian Blair says a neighbor called Mercer County 911 shortly after 1 a.m. Tuesday after hearing arguing and a gunshot or two.

When police and paramedics arrived, they found 56-year-old Ralph Lloyd lying wounded in the yard of his home.

Lloyd was taken to a local hospital, then moved to St. Elizabeth Health Center in Youngstown, where he died about three hours later. Autopsy results are expected later this week.

Police said Wednesday there are no leads or developments to report.