METRO DIGEST || Marijuana cultivation in Boardman

Marijuana cultivation

BOARDMAN

Two township residents face criminal charges after police accused them of growing marijuana at their Indianola Road home.

William Keenan, 41, and Heather Lewis, 45, surrendered to police Monday on misdemeanor charges of cultivation of marijuana and illegal possession of drug paraphernalia, according to a police report. They also were cited for marijuana possession.

The charges stem from a March 28 search of the home, located in the 860 block of Indianola. Police found a marijuana pipe, 25 marijuana seeds and other drug paraphernalia, as well as marijuana plants and grow lights in a shed.

Jogger finds toddler

STRUTHERS

A jogger called police after noticing a toddler wandering near Midlothian Boulevard about 8:30 a.m. Tuesday.

Police said the 2-year-old boy was barefoot and wearing only a T-shirt and diaper. Authorities returned the boy to his mother, who lives in Youngstown.

The boy was uninjured, though police believe he crossed a busy street.

No charges had been filed as of Wednesday evening, but the matter remains under investigation.

Struthers Police Capt. D.J. Aldish said the jogger isn’t seeking recognition. “It was a very noble thing,” Aldish said. “He was looking to do the right thing.”

Mom charged after toddler wanders

AUSTINTOWN

Police have charged the mother of a toddler found wandering through a township apartment complex Tuesday.

Natalie Byers, who is a resident of that apartment complex, is charged with child endangering, according to 21 WFMJ-TV, The Vindicator’s broadcast partner.

Police say a man contacted them to report he spotted the little girl wandering unsupervised through the complex on Compass West Drive.

The caller told officers he approached the girl after she had been walking around shoeless and in soiled diapers for at least an hour. He stretched out his arms and the little girl allowed him to pick her up.

The child could not tell police where she lived, so they canvassed area apartments, but were unable to locate those responsible for her care. Police located the child’s mother later that afternoon.

Representatives from Mahoning County Children Services have taken custody of the girl, who police say is in good condition.

SR 517 resurfacing to start Monday

EAST FAIRFIELD

Resurfacing work is expected to begin Monday on state Route 517 in Columbiana County.

The Ohio Department of Transportation will resurface nearly eight miles of Route 517 from state Route 164 at Lisbon to state Route 7 at East Fairfield. Traffic will be maintained by flaggers. The completion date in July 31.

Roadwork started in Mahoning County

The Ohio Turnpike’s 2017 construction season began this week, and it includes projects in Mahoning County.

The Ohio Department of Transportation will rehabilitate the bridge over Kirk Road in Canfield and two ramps near state Route 7 in North Lima.

ODOT will also replace the deck of the bridge over Garfield Road in Petersburg, which is expected to be completed by early November.

For all projects, a minimum of one lane in each direction will be maintained, but travelers may still encounter minor delays.