METRO DIGEST || 5 Minutes with the Mayor Tuesday

Minutes with McNally

YOUNGSTOWN

Mayor John A. McNally will have his monthly Five Minutes with the Mayor session Tuesday beginning at 5 p.m. in the mayor’s office at city hall, 26 S. Phelps St.

People are invited to stop in on St. Patrick’s Day to say hello, discuss concerns or ask questions about city issues, McNally said. Those attending will be given “wearing of the green” shamrocks, the mayor said.

Crash into store

BOARDMAN

A car crashed into the front window of a township business Friday, The Vindicator’s broadcast partner 21 WFMJ-TV reported.

The vehicle ran into Gem Set Jewelry and Accessories, located in the 6900 block of Market Street, on Friday morning.

The driver did not sustain any major injuries, and no one in the store was hurt. The cause of the accident is under investigation.

Vets court certified

YOUNGSTOWN

The Veterans Treatment Court of the Youngstown Municipal Court has earned final certification from the Ohio Supreme Court’s Commission on Specialized Dockets.

To receive the certification, the local court had to submit an application, undergo a site visit and provide specific program materials in response to certification standards that took effect in January 2014.

Judge Robert P. Milich presides over the veterans court.

“Specialized dockets have proven effective at addressing persistent criminal behaviors,” said Ohio Supreme Court Chief Justice Maureen O’Connor. “Specialized dockets result in significantly lower recidivism [repeat offense] rates which means offenders become productive members of society, for which we all benefit.”

Retaliation charge

BOARDMAN

A township man faces a third-degree felony retaliation charge after he was arrested on warrants Thursday.

Police say Christopher Ocasio, 21, of Mayflower Drive, let the air out of someone’s tires in retaliation for a previous incident involving him and the victim, according to a police report.

He is in the Mahoning County jail on the retaliation charge, as well as misdemeanor charges of criminal mischief and criminal trespass.

He is scheduled to appear in Mahoning County Area Court here Tuesday.

Man electrocuted

STRUTHERS

The Mahoning County Coroner’s office says a Columbiana man was electrocuted while working on the roof of a building in Struthers, reports Vindicator news partner 21-WFMJ TV.

The fire department says Darwin Parish Jr., 58, touched a 40,000-volt line as he and his son were installing a new roof on the Kid’s Stuff clothing store on Lowellville Road Thursday afternoon.

The coroner says Parish died instantly from electrical injuries.

Struck by cousin

WARREN

A 36-year-old Feederle Drive SE man said he was hit over the head with a bottle by his cousin on Kenilworth Avenue Southeast Thursday evening.

Police were called to ValleyCare Trumbull Memorial Hospital at about 10:45 p.m., where the man told him he was at a house a few doors away from U.S. Route 422 Southeast, where several people were drunk, and he decided to leave. As he walked away to be picked up, the victim said his cousin was trying to start a fight with him and as he left, the cousin followed him and struck him over the head with a bottle and tried to hit him with it again, but missed.

Reports said the victim had at least two cuts that were treated and his clothes were covered in blood. The victim was told a report would be made and he needed to speak to the city prosecutor if he wanted to press charges, reports said.

Man beaten, robbed

WARREN

A 34-year-old Niles man told police he was beat up by three men he had fought with earlier in the day and robbed of his wallet at a gas station at 1708 Youngstown Road SE at about 5:10 p.m. Thursday.

Reports said the man was inside the station when he saw the men, and they started yelling at him. One punched him in the back of the head, and the other two punched him in the face several times. They reached inside his coat and took his wallet, which had $61 in cash and credit cards.

The man was taken to ValleyCare Trumbull Memorial Hospital to be treated for his injuries. Reports said he was afraid to name the men because he was afraid of retaliation.

St. Pat’s driving tips

BOARDMAN

Township police will supplement regular patrols with high-visibility enforcement this weekend through St. Patrick’s Day on Tuesday.

Police will target violators for aggressive-driving offenses, distracted driving, operating a vehicle while impaired and seat-belt usage.

The police department encourages people to designate a sober driver, avoid drinking too much too fast, call a cab or a sober-ride program, contact police if you see suspected drunken drivers on the road, take keys away from friends who might try to drive drunk and always wear your seat belt.

Library craft event

BOARDMAN

Polish Kids Corner, where children 4 to 14 can learn the fine art of pisanki — wax-decorated eggs — and many other Polish symbols of Easter, will take place from 9:30 a.m. to noon today at the Boardman branch library, 7680 Glenwood Ave. Children also will create a craft to take home. It is being hosted by Krakowiaki Polish Folk Circle.