METRO DIGEEST || Extension cord to doghouse catches fire

Cord started fire

YOUNGSTOWN

Fire reports say an extension cord used to provide heat to a doghouse caused a home at 56 Winchester Ave. to catch fire about 2:30 p.m. Thursday.

Reports said when crews arrived at the West Side home, they found a fire on the side of the house, and a doghouse next to the house also was on fire.

Crews managed to put out the fire on the outside of the home, but when they got inside, they found it had spread to the second floor and extinguished it.

Reports said the owner told police the home was his uncle’s, and he uses it for storage. The cord was found running from inside the house to the doghouse, where it powered a light in a metal box to provide heat for the dog, reports said. The cord was burned out, reports said.

The owner took the dog inside to his home, reports said. Damage is listed at $6,000. No one was injured.

Snow emergency

YOUNGSTOWN

The city is declaring a snow emergency starting at noon Sunday and remaining in effect until further notice. During a snow emergency, parking is banned on all streets except on streets or alleys with a width of 25 feet or less and no driveways. Vehicles parked in violation of the emergency could be towed at the owners’ expense.

Rolling closures

YOUNGSTOWN

These streets will be affected by a rolling closure — a momentary closure during a parade as it proceeds through its route — for the Selma Memorial March from 3 to 5 p.m. Sunday: West Federal Street starting at the Tyler History Center, going west to Fifth Avenue and Mahoning Avenue bridge to the B&O parking lot.

Charges dismissed

CAMPBELL

Charges of animal cruelty were dismissed against Harry Bryan, 76, of 16th Street, said Law Director Brian Macala.

According to a police report, police noticed Bryan’s dog sitting outside on the side porch and attempted to contact the resident. Due to low temperatures and lack of visible water, the dog was handed over to humane agents.

Macala said Friday he was satisfied enough with Bryan’s explanation to dismiss the charges.

He said Bryan was helping a neighbor down the street with snow plowing, and the dog sometimes went outside to sit on the porch.

Bowl-A-Thon set

YOUNGSTOWN

Junior Achievement of the Mahoning Valley will host its 22nd annual “Bowl-A-Thon” event from 2 to 5 p.m. today at Wedgewood Lanes, 1741 S. Raccoon Road.

The event is JA’s largest fundraiser of the year. A total of 28 teams with 140 bowlers will participate in the Superhero Bowl. Bowl participants have the option of dressing in superhero attire for a chance at winning additional prizes.

The event will help JA raise money to support local programs in Mahoning, Trumbull, Columbiana and Ashtabula counties.

Burglary probed

BOARDMAN

Township police are investigating a burglary that occurred on Tippecanoe Road. A resident reported to police that a television, laptop computer, jewelry and a credit card were missing from his house sometime Thursday. The victim told police there were fresh tire marks on his driveway when he returned home and that a door was open. The value of the items is estimated at nearly $1,500.

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