METRO DIGEST || Ravenna killing, lockdown

Ravenna killing

RAVENNA TOWNSHIP

A man was killed and a pregnant woman shot several times about 2:20 p.m. Wednesday on Henderson Road in Ravenna Township. Portage County Sheriff’s Office is investigating. The suspect reportedly fled the area on foot, according to the Ravenna Police Department Facebook page.

Because of the proximity of the shooting to Ravenna High School, the school was placed on lockdown. Because it occurred at the time school usually lets out, some students had already left the building and were on buses heading home. As of 3 p.m., the school lockdown was lifted and buses, which initially were instructed to stop their routes and take students to a safe location, resumed dropping off students at their regular stops. At the school, law-enforcement officers and school officials escorted students to their vehicles.

Abducted, robbed

BOARDMAN

Police are investigating a reported abduction, aggravated robbery and burglary. A township woman told officers a man arrived at her apartment Tuesday morning after she received a call from him planning to collect money she owed to a mutual person.

He pulled out a handgun and forced her into her bedroom where he took money, her diamond ring and other valuables. He then reportedly forced her to leave the apartment, without her 2-year-old child, and drive her car with him at gunpoint to a Family Dollar Store on the East Side. The victim tried to take the items back but the man punched her, threw her down, tossed her keys across the parking lot and ran away. She called police an hour later after returning home.

Power outages

YOUNGSTOWN

Wind was the main culprit causing scattered power outages in the Mahoning Valley on Wednesday. According to the FirstEnergy website, as of 10 p.m., 176, 175 and 50 customers were without power in Columbiana, Mahoning and Trumbull counties, respectively. The Trumbull 911 Center said numerous downed trees and tree limbs caused power outages in Brookfield, Hubbard and Liberty townships.

Kids’ celebration today

BOARDMAN

“A Children’s Holiday” tree-lighting and eighth anniversary celebration is from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. today on Akron Children’s Hospital Mahoning Valley Beeghly Campus, 6505 Market St. The event, which is free and open to the public, will feature cocoa, cookies and carols and the lighting of the Children’s holiday tree at 6. In addition to a visit from Santa Claus and gifts for all the children, activities will include face-painting, crafts, cookie and ornament-decorating.

Sharon Hrina, vice president of Akron Children’s Hospital Mahoning Valley, and Bill Considine, president and chief executive officer of Akron Children’s Hospital, will address attendees.

South Ave. pothole

BOARDMAN

Boardman police blocked off a small section of South Avenue’s right north-bound lane between Presidential Drive and Auburn Hills Drive on Wednesday night after a large hole was reported in the road. Repair crews placed a metal plate over the hole before re-opening the section of road to traffic.

Rape-robbery charges

WARREN

Jack L. Sheetz, 48, of Utica, N.Y., charged with a Howland rape, aggravated robbery and aggravated burglary from December 1996, will be tested to determine if he’s not guilty by reason of insanity. Judge W. Wyatt McKay made that decision during a hearing Wednesday in Trumbull County Common Pleas Court.

Sheetz is in the county jail in lieu of $500,000 bond. Police say Sheetz broke into the home of a 75-year-old woman on Orchard Avenue Southeast at night and raped her. Howland police detectives submitted additional physical evidence from the case to the state’s crime lab last year, and DNA on an item matched DNA on file for Sheetz, Howland Police Chief Paul Monroe said.

Guns at day cares

COLUMBUS

Concerned moms, college professors and others spoke out Wednesday against legislation that would allow concealed firearms in day-care centers, on university campuses and at other public sites. Opponents of HB 48 say the bill would endanger lives rather than protect them. The Senate’s Government Oversight and Reform Committee did not vote on the bill, meaning there likely won’t be a floor vote on it this week.