State OKs $83K for prison equipment


State OKs $83K for prison equipment

COLUMBUS

The state Controlling Board this week approved $83,100 for new food- service equipment used to feed prisoners at the Ohio State Penitentiary in Youngstown.

The list includes a tilt skillet, a convection oven, dishwasher, mixer and ice machine, all to be used at the penitentiary’s prisoner camp, which is scheduled to reopen in the summer.

The equipment is being purchased from Louis R. Polster Co. of Columbus.

Man sentenced for possessing gun

YOUNGSTOWN

Crispulo Rodriguez, 42, of Youngstown was sentenced to nearly 20 years in prison for illegally possessing a firearm.

He was found guilty of one count of being a felon in possession of a firearm and ammunition after a trial last year, according to the U.S. attorney for the Northern District of Ohio.

Rodriguez was found with a firearm and ammunition in December 2013 despite prior convictions for manslaughter and armed robbery and multiple convictions related to assault and drugs.

Meeting scheduled

YOUNGSTOWN

The Brownlee Woods Neighborhood Association meets Thursday at Faith Community Church, 1919 E. Midlothian Blvd. Refreshments and social time begin at 6 p.m., followed by a business meeting at 6:30.

Guest speakers scheduled to appear are Mayor John A. McNally, Police Chief Robin Lees and Abigail Brubaker from the city’s code-enforcement division. Councilman John R. Swierz , D-7th, also will address neighborhood issues and report on city events. The meeting is open to the public.

Boardman burglary

BOARDMAN

Township police are investigating a home burglary.

According to a police report, a home on New England Boulevard was broken into sometime between 9:30 a.m. and 3:30 p.m. Monday. A back door was pried open. These items were taken: $2,000 in cash, three handguns, a laptop and two check books.

Meeting canceled

BELOIT

The West Branch school board special meeting planned for today has been canceled.

More Digest on A8