METRO DIGEST || Fight on Ferndale Friday

Ferndale fight

YOUNGSTOWN

A fight involving more than a dozen people in the 400 block of Ferndale Avenue Thursday resulted in four suspects being arrested. It was initially reported that a police officer was hurt in the melee, but police said no officer was taken to a hospital for treatment. The fight was reported at about 9:30 p.m., and was broken up within a few minutes after police arrived. Eight officers were dispatched to the scene.

15 become US citizens

YOUNGSTOWN

Fifteen people became U.S. citizens in a Thursday naturalization ceremony before Judge Shirley J. Christian of Mahoning County Common Pleas Court.

One of them, whose country of origin was the People’s Republic of China, chose not to be named.

The names, countries of origin and hometowns for the 14 others are: Parmveer Partap Singh, India, Poland; Anthony DiStefano and Roshni DiStefano, both Canada, Boardman; Lucia Streza, Romania, Struthers; Waina M. Vasquez, Dominican Republic, Youngstown; Podjanee Sawaikhonburi, Thailand, Canfield; Sahar Abdalla Elsheikh, Sudan, Canfield; Orlando Luis Villica Avillo, Argentina, Youngstown; Juan Carlos Eyzaguirre-Almestar, Peru, Youngstown; Voichita Cristina Bosca, Romania, Boardman; Ryan Chanh Lay, Vietnam, Youngstown; Amina K. Alemaishat, Jordan, Youngstown; Martin John Dunham, Australia, Boardman; and Sinisa Hrvacevic, Bosnia-Herzegovina, Lorain.

Women’s Ministry Day

WARREN

Alpha and Omega Seventh-day Adventist Church, 1247 Woodland NE, will have a Women’s Ministry Day starting at 11 a.m. Saturday. Doris Gothard will be guest speaker. She is founder of D.G. Products | Home and author of “Seven Steps to Wealth” and “Attitude, the Winner’s Edge.” She is a credit and debit counselor. Lisa Robbins of Detroit will present musical selections.

A dinner will follow.

I-80 drops to 1 lane

AUSTINTOWN

Beginning this evening, Interstate 80 eastbound between state Route 46 and Interstate 680 will be reduced to one lane through 1 p.m. Saturday for road construction. Motorists should expect delays in the area, the Ohio Department of Transportation announced.

Indicted in gun case

CLEVELAND

A federal grand jury has indicted Wallace A. Lewis Sr., 26, of Youngstown, on a charge of being a felon with a firearm and ammunition, the U.S. attorney said. The indictment alleges Lewis possessed a .22-caliber revolver and ammunition Jan. 5, after having been convicted of felonious assault with a firearm specification in a 2009 case in Mahoning County Common Pleas Court.

The new gun case was investigated by Youngstown Police Department and the U.S. Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives; and is being prosecuted by the Youngstown-based Assistant U. S. Atty. Jason M. Katz.

Shooter still at large

CAMPBELLL

Police believe a man who fired about six shots in a Campbell neighborhood is still at large.

Officers responded to Jackson Street about 9:30 a.m. Wednesday for a report of a wandering child. Police reported clearing that incident before hearing a loud gunshot.

One officer was inside a police cruiser while another officer and dog handler were outside when they heard the first shot. Officers reported taking cover behind the cruiser before peeking over the car, at which time officers heard five rapid-fire gunshots. Police observed residents taking cover at that point.

Officers later saw an unidentified male with a handgun running southwest into the woods near Booker Avenue behind the Michael J. Kirwan homes. More officers from the Campbell, Struthers and Coitsville police departments could not find the man.

MCCTC plant sale

CANFIELD

The spring plant sale, sponsored by the horticulture program at the Mahoning County Career and Technical Center, has started. Horticulture students have prepared items including assorted annuals, hanging baskets and patio planters. Flats of flowers also will be available.

The Horticulture Green House will be open to the public from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m., Monday through Friday through May until all items are sold. For information on the sale, contact Mary June Emerson at 330-729-4000, ext. 1671.

Tabletop gaming meet

BOARDMAN

Barnes & Noble, 381 Boardman-Poland Road, will host a national tabletop gaming meet at 4 p.m. Saturday in celebration of International Tabletop Day.

Customers are encouraged to visit and participate whether they are looking for an alternative to a typical evening out, an activity for the whole family to enjoy or simply the opportunity to meet new people.

Featured games include Machi Koro, a Japanese card game; Superfight, a card game based on fights between characters with super powers and super problems; and Ticket to Ride, a cross-country train adventure game.

Contact the store at 330-629-9532 to find out the full list of available prizes.

Fundraiser for hospital

BOARDMAN

Petitti Garden Center, 5509 South Ave., has kicked off its annual campaign to benefit Akron Children’s Hospital Mahoning Valley. Through July 31, customers can make a donation of any amount at the register when completing a purchase. All funds stay local and benefit local hospital programs. Over the past two years, Petitti’s raised more than $10,000 for Akron Children’s.

Bank offers reward

YOUNGSTOWN

PNC Bank is offering a reward of up to $10,000 for information leading to the identification and prosecution of two suspects who robbed the Meridian Road branch in Youngstown on Thursday just before 4 p.m.

The FBI says the two entered the front door of the bank. One of the suspects remained in the lobby holding a shotgun, while the other jumped over the customer-service counter, forcibly removing money from an employee’s hand before taking money from the teller’s money drawer, reported 21 WFMJ-TV, The Vindicator’s broadcast partner.

The suspects, both wearing ski masks and gloves, fled the area in a dark-colored SUV which was subsequently recovered by authorities.

Anyone with information about the robbery is asked to contact the Youngstown Police Department’s Detective Bureau at 330-742-8920 or the Youngstown Division of the FBI at 330-333-1847. Tips can remain anonymous.