METRO DIGEST || Beloit crash kills passenger

Passenger in car killed in crash

BELOIT

The passenger in a car was killed and the driver seriously injured after the driver fled from a Sebring police officer preparing to initiate a traffic stop early Saturday.

Killed was Curtis A. Bauer, 43, of Alliance. The driver, Bryan Whitehurst, 41, of Alliance, purportedly ran a red light at Ohio Avenue and 12th Street in Sebring and drove at a high rate of speed on Ohio Avenue into Beloit where he failed to negotiate a curve, went off the left side of the road and struck a tree and a house. The crash occurred at 2:30 a.m. Saturday at Fifth Street and Stanley Avenue in Beloit. The residence sustained minor damage; its occupants were not injured.

The Ohio State Highway Patrol said Bauer, who was partially ejected from the vehicle, was pronounced dead at the scene. Whitehurst was transported to St. Elizabeth Youngstown Hospital. Both men were wearing seat belts at the time of the crash.

The OSHP said excessive speed and alcohol are factors in the crash, which remains under investigation.

Children’s Rehab director retires

HOWLAND

Robert Foster, longtime executive director of the Children’s Rehabilitation Center of Howland, has retired.

Foster, who was at CRC for 26 years, will be remembered as a hardworking and committed champion for exceptional care and rehabilitation for children, officials said.

A search committee has been formed by the board of directors to identify a successor.

The Children’s Rehabilitation Center is a 501(c)(3) pediatric outpatient facility that serves nearly 1,000 children a year. It assists in the care and specific needs of medically fragile and disabled children from birth to 18, specializing in infant therapy, physical therapy, speech/language therapy, occupation therapy, integrated day care, tutoring, medical consultation and assistive technology.

For information regarding services, call 330-856-2107.

ACTION dialogue on racism continues

YOUNGSTOWN

ACTION will continue its dialogue on racism at a meeting at 7 p.m. Tuesday at St. Edward Church, 240 Tod Lane. Guest speaker will be the Rev. Dr. John Welch, president of the Gamaliel Foundation. Alliance for Congregational Transformation Influencing Our Neighborhoods opened the dialogue last week at a clergy breakfast at Martin Luther King Lutheran Church with guest speaker John Norton of St. Paul, Minn., director of training for Gamaliel. The Chicago-based group, founded in 1986, trains community and faith leaders to build political power and create organizations that unite people of diverse faiths and races.

Other issues at Tuesday’s meeting will be crime and safety, education, local food and jobs.

Monsignor Robert Siffrin is president of ACTION, and Rose Carter is executive director and lead organizer. Refreshments will be served.

Forest tour

SLIPPERY ROCK, PA.

The staff of Jennings Environmental Education Center, 2951 Prospect Road, will host a winter forest tour for people age 9 and older at 7 p.m. Saturday. Snowshoes will be provided, weather permitting. Hot cocoa will be served before the walk. The program is free, but registration is required by Wednesday at www.events.dcnr.pa.gov or by calling 724-794-6011.

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