Metro briefs: Traffic stops in Youngstown lead to drug arrests; EZPass at Giant Eagle; Trumbull NAACP unity event; seminar on ticks

Traffic stop leads to cocaine arrest in city

YOUNGSTOWN

Brisco Huff, 58, was arrested Saturday night on a charge of possession of crack cocaine and drug paraphernalia.

The charges stem from a traffic stop when Huff failed to signal his turn onto South Avenue at 10:59 p.m.

Huff failed to produce a driver’s license, and was arrested when police confirmed he was driving under suspension. Police searched the vehicle and found a crack pipe in the map pocket of the driver’s side door. Police also found a plastic bag containing eight smaller bags of crack cocaine.

Huff was then transported to the Mahoning County jail.

Lack of turn signal leads to heroin charge

YOUNGSTOWN

Police arrested Norman Macias, 41, on a charge of possession of heroin early Sunday. The charge stems from a traffic stop when Macias failed to signal his intent to turn onto Logan Avenue from Lauderdale Avenue at 12:19 a.m.

Police arrested him when they found out his driver’s license had been suspended. After searching Macias, police found a plastic bag containing 0.2 grams of heroin. He was cited for driving under suspension and for failure to use a turn signal.

Macias was transported to the Mahoning County jail pending a court appearance this morning.

Trumbull NAACP planning unity event

WARREN

The Trumbull County Chapter of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People is sponsoring a community unity event 4:30 to 7:30 p.m. Aug. 1 at the Trumbull Community Action Program, 1230 Palmyra Road SW.

It will feature live music, vendors, local artists and line dancing. A “Taste Of Warren” will feature top area chefs. Cost is $15, free for children under age 10 with an advance registration. Proceeds go to the Freedom Fund scholarship.

Seminar on ticks and Lyme disease is set

VIENNA

Have A Hart pet store, 812 Youngstown-Kingsville Road SE, is offering a free seminar about ticks and Lyme disease from 11 a.m. to noon July 29.

Jennifer Gilliland of Patterson Companies will speak and answer questions. Light refreshments will be provided. Participants are asked to RSVP by July 28 by calling 330-539-5300 and requesting the Have a Hart Store.

Eagle to sell E-ZPass

Ohio Turnpike officials say access to a device allowing motorists to breeze through turnpike tolls will be easier now that the E-ZPass transponders are available at dozens of retail locations.

The transponders mounted on windshields automatically deduct tolls from users’ accounts so they don’t have to stop at toll plazas. E-ZPass users also pay lower tolls.

Turnpike officials say food retailer Giant Eagle has become the first non-turnpike retailer to make the E-ZPass transponder available to customers.