METRO DIGEST || New Waterford teen killed in crash

Teen killed in crash

UNITY

The Ohio State Highway Patrol’s Lisbon Post said alcohol and speed appear to be factors in a one-car crash early Friday that killed an 18-year-old New Waterford teen, according to the OSHP.

Jacob T. Chamberlin, 18, of East Palestine, was traveling north on Creek Road in Unity Township at about 12:30 a.m. when the car he was driving went left of center and hit a ditch and a tree and then overturned, according to the patrol.

Two passengers, Tyler S. Burns, 21, and Timothy A. Walton, 18, both from New Waterford, were not wearing seat belts, but Chamberlin was.

Burns and Walton were both taken to St. Elizabeth Youngstown Hospital, where Walton later died.

Man injured in fire

NEWTON FALLS

A village police officer pulled a man out of a burning home at 511 Ophelia Ave. A spokesman for the Newton Falls Joint Fire District said crews were called to the home at about 11:30 p.m. Thursday. The cause is under investigation. A damage estimate is unavailable, but the spokesman said the home was heavily damaged. The homeowner was taken to the burn unit at Akron Children’s Hospital, the spokesman said. Firefighters from Lordstown, Braceville and Warren Township assisted.

Investigating fire

LAKE MILTON

The state fire marshal’s office is investigating a house fire early Friday at15050 Robinson Road. A spokesman for Milton Township Fire Department said crews were called at 4 a.m. and the home already was fully engulfed. He said no one was inside, and firefighters learned later the homeowner had left several hours before. The home is a total loss, the spokesman said.

Police seek fugitive

YOUNGSTOWN

A man who led police on a chase Thursday on the South Side remains on the loose after he used a phone at St. Elizabeth Youngstown Hospital then left while still in a surgical gown.

Police arrested Rafael Samaniego, 24, of Ferndale Avenue, at about 4:30 p.m. Thursday after he failed to pull over for an officer who tried to stop him for a traffic violation. He eventually stopped when he drove into a utility pole at Hillman and Ferndale avenues, reports said.

At his arraignment in municipal court, Assistant City Prosecutor Shelly Freeze said Samaniego was taken to the hospital because of an injury he suffered in the crash. He faces a count of fleeing and eluding; additional charges are pending.

Food giveaways

YOUNGSTOWN

There will be two food giveaways in the city today:

Beulah Baptist Church, 570 Sherwood Ave., 10 a.m. to noon.

Victory Lutheran Church, 2110 Glenwood Ave., 9 to 11 a.m. Participants are asked to bring ID and bags or containers to both locations.

Gold exempt

COLUMBUS

State lawmakers gave final approval to legislation exempting gold and other precious metal purchases from sales tax.

Senate Bill 172 passed by the House on an 80-5 vote, with senators concurring on amendments, 30-2, sending the bill to Gov. John Kasich for his signature.

The bill focuses on investment metal bullion – specifically “gold, silver, platinum or palladium” bars and investment coins. The legislation would not cover gold watches, jewelry or other items.

Proponents say about 30 states exempt such investments from sales taxes, including Michigan and Pennsylvania.