METRO DIGEST || Cortland woman hit by SUV

Walker hit by SUV

FOWLER

A Cortland woman was hit by a sports utility vehicle and seriously injured while walking on Ridge Road in the township at about 12:30 p.m. Saturday.

Injured was Brittany Szwedko, 27, who was walking south on Ridge off the northbound lane. She was transported to St. Elizabeth Youngstown Hospital for treatment. The driver of the SUV, Russell Lauer III, 43, of Cortland, was driving north when his vehicle hit Szwedko. He continued driving north on Ridge but was stopped by witnesses at Bradley-Brownlee Road where he was held until police arrived, according to the Ohio State Highway Patrol.

Alcohol is believed to be a contributing factor for Lauer, the OSHP report said. The incident is under investigation and charges are pending.

Police seeking help

WARREN

Warren Township police are asking for the public’s help in tracking down a male suspect who robbed First American Loans on Mahoning Avenue about 7:15 p.m. Friday.

They believe the man, described as 5 feet, 5 inches tall and wearing a mask and black jacket and jeans, cased at least three businesses before he threw a brick at the window of the door at First American Loans, a payday loan center, and escaped with an undisclosed amount of cash, reported 21 WFMJ-TV, The Vindicator’s broadcast partner.

Anyone with information is asked to call police at 330-898-5501.

IHOP to donate funds

IHOP restaurants in Boardman and Howland will donate proceeds from a National Pancake Day promotion to Akron Children’s Hospital Mahoning Valley.

In celebration of the day March 8, IHOP restaurants nationwide will offer each guest a free short stack of buttermilk pancakes from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m., and guests who order the free pancakes will be asked to make a donation to ACHMV, the local Children’s Miracle Network hospital.

Local IHOP locations are at 833 Boardman-Poland Road, Boardman, and 1980 Niles-Cortland Road, Howland. In 2015, Mahoning Valley IHOP locations raised more than $8,000 for Akron Children’s Mahoning Valley.

Easter Bunny event

BOARDMAN

Tickets still are available for Boardman Park’s “Evening with the Easter Bunny” event from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. March 8 and 9. It includes dinner, arts and crafts, and a family photo with the Easter Bunny. Tickets are available at the park office from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday, by calling the office at 330-726-8105 or online at boardmanpark.com. The cost is $7 for residents and $9 for nonresidents. Children age 2 and younger are free.

Cemetery cleanup

LOWELLVILLE

St. John the Baptist Catholic Cemetery, 3900 Villa Marie Road, will have its spring cleanup March 16 of all Christmas and other decorations that don’t comply with the rules and regulations. Decorations should be removed before that date or they will be discarded.