METRO DIGEST || Sherrod Brown seeks support for air base

Sherrod Brown seeks support from nominee

VIENNA

During a meeting with Dr. Ashton Carter, the nominee to be the U.S. secretary of defense, U.S. Sen. Sherrod Brown, D-Cleveland, said he pressed Carter on his support of the modernization of Ohio’s C-130H fleet and communications updates to meet federal and international standards by 2020, and sought his support for Youngstown Air Reserve Station’s bid to host 12 KC-46A refueling tankers.

Both efforts would retain or bring new work to YARS, which is home to the 910th Airlift Wing and a strong candidate for this refueling mission, said Brown.

In his Thursday meeting with Carter, Brown asked for his support for two Ohio Reserve Bases to be hosts to the 12 KC-46A refueling tankers: YARS and Wright-Patterson Air Force Base are both up for consideration, Brown said.

The Senate confirmed Carter’s appointment Thursday.

Drugs, gun found in Boardman raid

BOARDMAN

A raid at a township apartment Wednesday resulted in police finding drugs, drug paraphernalia and a gun.

Police searched the residence in the 6000 block of Applecrest Court and found a gun, cocaine, marijuana, ammo, drug paraphernalia, crack cocaine and heroin. They also seized $525 in cash and two television sets.

Charges have yet to be filed because no suspect was home at the time of the search.

Car fire on Midlothian

YOUNGSTOWN

Firefighters responded to a car on fire on a South Side street Thursday morning.

Reports said crews were called to Midlothian Boulevard near the border with Boardman, where township officers were standing by as heavy smoke was coming from the engine compartment.

No one was in the car at the time and the driver had run away, reports said. Reports list the owner of the car as a Leetonia woman. The car was towed. Damage is listed at $1,000.

No one challenges Amato for judge seat

LISBON

C. Christopher Amato, appointed last week by the governor to fill a vacant Columbiana County Municipal Court judicial seat, was the only candidate to file to seek the position in the November general election.

Judge Amato of Wellsville, who started the job Monday, submitted nominating petitions to the county board of elections by Thursday’s deadline. Judge Amato replaces Judge Carol Ann Robb, who resigned to join the 7th District Court of Appeals.

Safety meeting set

NEW MIDDLETOWN

Village officials will have a safety meeting at 6:30 p.m. Monday at the municipal building, 10711 Main St., to discuss fire department salaries and wages.

JJC improvements

YOUNGSTOWN

Mahoning County commissioners Thursday entered into contracts for improvements to the county’s Martin P. Joyce Juvenile Justice Center, 300 E. Scott St.

They entered into an $18,000 agreement with J.M. Verostko Inc. of Youngstown to provide mechanical and electrical consulting services for the boiler replacement project. They also entered into a $10,950 agreement with York Mahoning Mechanical Contractors Inc. of Youngstown for repairs to chillers in a walk-in kitchen freezer and replacement of an exhaust fan.

African Marketplace

YOUNGSTOWN

An African Marketplace will begin at noon in the Chestnut Room of YSU’s Kilcawley Center on Saturday. The marketplace brings together vendors and members of the community to celebrate African life. Diverse creations and products of African-American artists and entrepreneurs will be available for purchase. Musical entertainment will be provided by Harambee dancers and the Youth Choir of New Bethel Baptist Church in Youngstown.