METRO DIGEST || $250 school vouchersd

Ohio utilities board signs off on rate hike

COLUMBUS

Ohio regulators have rejected appeals of an earlier decision that allows FirstEnergy Corp. to impose electricity rate increases for three years.

The move will give FirstEnergy an additional $204 million each year. Homeowners using an average of 750 kilowatt-hours of electricity a month will see monthly bills increase by $36 a year.

The money is supposed to go toward improving the utility’s electricity distribution grid.

Opponents argue that it opens the door for Akron-based FirstEnergy to put the money toward its struggling nuclear and coal power plants.

FirstEnergy has been trying to convince Ohio lawmakers that it needs $300 million in new charges to save its two aging nuclear plants that are facing stiff competition from natural gas power plants.

Agency providing $250 school vouchers

WARREN

A long line wound around the Trumbull County Job and Family Services offices on North Park Avenue Wednesday afternoon for a first-come, first-served school clothing and supplies voucher for Trumbull County residents.

The agency is providing 1,500 vouchers for $250 per qualifying family to use at the Super Kmart on Niles-Cortland Road through Sept. 30.

To qualify, a family needed to be eligible for food stamps in June, have a school-age child age 5 to 14 and provide verification.

The agency had two application Saturdays earlier this month, one on Wednesday and will have them again the next two Saturdays from 9 a.m. to noon at its North Park offices.

The money comes from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services’ Temporary Assistance to Needy Families program.

Community workday planned for Saturday

YOUNGSTOWN

Youngstown Neighborhood Development Corp. hosts an Idora Neighborhood community workday Saturday in the Glenwood Avenue corridor.

The focus will be on cleaning up a historic four-unit building at 2906 Glenwood Ave. The building will be revitalized by YNDC partner organization Hope for Renewal.

Volunteers should meet at 8:30 a.m. at YNDC headquarters, 820 Canfield Road, before proceeding to the work site.

American Legion sale

leetonia

A yard sale will take place from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday at American Legion Post 131, 540 Main St.

The post is sponsoring the sale in support of former Leetonia police officer Mike Baun. Proceeds from the sale will go toward Baun’s medical expenses for cancer treatment and kidney surgery.

The sale will include a luncheon from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., a basket raffle and a bake sale. Call 330-427-6259 to rent a table for $10.

Community gathering set for Saturday

NEW WILMINGTON, PA.

The Fresh Marketplace at New Wilmington Center, 129 S. Chestnut St., behind Mugsies Coffee House, will host its weekly community gathering from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday.

The market area will feature produce and goods for sale, including farm fresh fruits and vegetables, pasture-raised poultry, lamb, pork and beef, organic eggs, cheese, and flowers. Local handmade items include lotion, soap, candles, chocolates, honey and maple syrup.

Ready-to-eat meals provided by Tin City Caters and Stubborn Ewe Farm will be available.

Children will create hanging bird feeders with just a few simple ingredients. They can then hang them outside their windows at home to attract new feathered friends.

For information, visit www.facebook.com/freshmarketplaceatnewwilmingtoncenter/ or www.livenewwilmington/enviorment/freshmarketplace/.

Hidden camera riles council members

BELLAIRE, Ohio

A hidden camera in the chambers of an Ohio village council has riled some of the members who discovered it, but village officials say it’s there for security, not spying.

Bellaire Village Councilman Dan Brown says council members were unaware of the camera until they began searching for the source of leaks about nonpublic meetings and found a receipt for a video surveillance clock. Brown says the receipt bore the name of Village Administrator Scott Porter.

But Porter told WTOV-TV that the camera is there to monitor the council’s audience and the entry to the chambers as a security measure. He says it doesn’t record audio.

Brown says he wants the device removed and would have it destroyed if it weren’t paid for by taxpayers.

Man charged in young son’s fatal overdose

HAMILTON, Ohio

An Ohio man has been charged criminally for what authorities say was the fatal overdose of his 1-year-old son.

Dorrico Brown, 33, of Trenton in southwest Ohio, was arrested and jailed Wednesday after being indicted on involuntary manslaughter and child endangering charges in the death of Dorrico Brown Jr.

Authorities say Brown called 911 in May after finding his son on a bed not breathing.

The toddler was pronounced dead at a hospital.

The Butler County Coroner’s Office says tests showed the toddler died from a combination of drugs, including the opioid oxycodone and benzodiazepines, a class of drugs normally used to treat anxiety. It’s unclear how the boy ingested the drugs.

Court records don’t indicate if Brown has an attorney yet.

Staff/wire reports