METRO DIGEST || Air quality alert in Youngstown

Air quality alert

YOUNGSTOWN

The level of ozone in Youngstown air slightly exceeded the moderate level, according to an alert issued Thursday by the Eastgate Regional Council of Governments.

Youngstown registered 101 on the Air Quality Index, meaning it just barely crossed the threshold into being deemed “unhealthy for sensitive groups,” such as children and those with asthma.

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency cautions at-risk groups against prolonged heavy physical exertion. It defines “prolonged” as lasting more than four hours with only short breaks.

A “good” air quality index is 0-50. “Moderate” is 51-100, and 101-200 registers as “unhealthy for sensitive groups.” Higher index levels include “unhealthy,” “very unhealthy,” and “hazardous.” The U.S. EPA issues the Air Quality Index. Visit airnow.gov.index to learn more.

Fatal car-semi crash

BEAVER

A two-vehicle crash this afternoon killed one man and injured two others.

The Ohio State Highway Patrol reports a Pontiac failed to yield at the intersection of state Routes 165 and 626 and struck a tractor-trailer at about 2:45 p.m.

A front-seat passenger in the Pontiac, Russell McCullough, Jr., 26, of Alliance died.

The Pontiac’s driver, Gabriel Blankenship, 22, of Salem was transported to St. Elizabeth Youngstown Hospital for serious injuries.

The tractor-trailer driver, Gerald Westfall, 71, of Newton Falls was also transported to there. State troopers say his injuries were minor.

The OHSP reports everyone involved was wearing a seatbelt. The incident remains under investigation.

Boil alert lifted

WARREN

The Trumbull County Sanitary Engineers have lifted a boil alert for certain parts of Warren Township, effective today.

Officials issued the water advisory Tuesday for those living or working on Burnett Road, Manhattan, Riverside, Fisher, Diehl South, Park Road and Woodview Circle.

Loaded hanguns

YOUNGSTOWN

Police found two loaded 9mm handguns Wednesday in separate incidents.

One of the guns was found at about 1:15 p.m. at Cottage Grove and East Boston Avenue during a traffic stop. Arrested was Kaevon Green, 21, of Mahoning Avenue. Reports said he tried to run away from officers but was caught. He is charged with carrying concealed weapons and possession of heroin after reports said he had a bag of heroin in his pants.

The other gun was found while officers were serving a search warrant about 6:20 p.m. investigating drug activity at a 517 Mistletoe Ave. home. Arrested there on charges of being a felon in possession of a firearm was the homeowner, Jason Crawley, 34.

Both men are in the Mahoning County jail and expected to be arraigned in municipal court today.

Open container

YOUNGSTOWN

A homeless man was issued a citation Wednesday morning downtown for open container after reports said he had a bottle of beer with him. Reports said Sheadrick Jones, 54, was spotted drinking at 11:50 a.m. in front of a building at 316 W. Federal St.

Reports said he had a 40-ounce bottle of beer with him.