METRO DIGEST || Canfield run to honor Newhard

Run to honor Newhard

CANFIELD

A memorial 5K run and 2-mile walk will be at 2 p.m. Oct. 17 in memory of Brian Newhard, a former Jackson Township and Mill Creek MetroParks police officer who died of ALS (Lou Gehrig’s disease) in September. The event will be at Canfield Fairgrounds, 7265 Canfield-Columbiana Road. All proceeds will benefit the Newhard ALS Fund. To register, go to www.runsignup.com and type “Brian Newhard” in the search function.

Smoke alarm campaign

WARREN

As part of a nationwide campaign to reduce by 25 percent the number of people who die in home fires, the American Red Cross is sponsoring a training session on Make a Difference Day, Oct. 24, to show volunteers how to install free 10-year smoke alarms. The training, in conjunction with Warren Firefighters Save A Life Smoke Alarm (SALSA), begins at 9 a.m. at the Wean Foundation, 147 W. Market St. Volunteers will be instructed on how and where to properly install smoke alarms before heading out in teams of three to four to designated neighborhoods. For information and to volunteer, contact Kristen Gallagher, American Red Cross disaster program specialist, at 330-392-2551, ext. 118.

Drug trafficking

YOUNGSTOWN

Edward Speller, 24, faces charges of drug trafficking and drug paraphernalia after police found nearly 400 grams of marijuana in his South Side home Friday morning.

Police went to the residence at 146 E. Philadelphia Ave. after complaints that Speller had marijuana plants in his backyard. At the site, police smelled marijuana emitting from outside and inside the home. Youngstown Municipal Court Judge Robert Milich signed a warrant to search the residence.

Police found eight Mason jars containing marijuana in a living room closet on the first floor; several marijuana branches with fresh buds in a bedroom on the first floor; marijuana in the refrigerator; marijuana seeds on the kitchen table; 14 5-feet, 6-inch marijuana plants in the backyard; and two scales. Officers also found a small bag on Speller. He was transported to Mahoning County jail pending a court appearance Monday.

Shop robbed again

YOUNGSTOWN

A Mahoning Avenue business was robbed for the second time in less than a week Saturday, according to Vindicator broadcast partner 21 WFMJ-TV.

Police said a man dressed in all black wearing a ski mask held up the Mahoning Wine Shoppe, 1681 Mahoning Ave., shortly after 10:30 a.m.

Youngstown police searched for a suspect on South Evanston Street, and a replica handgun was found by police in the roadway near the business.

After combing the area for an hour, police suspended their search. No one was injured.