Robbery arrest

Robbery arrest

LIBERTY

Police arrested James Blackmon, 60, of Cleveland after a robbery at Giant Eagle on Belmont Avenue early Saturday morning.

According to police, Blackmon is accused of taking four cartons of cigarettes and hiding them under his jacket. When an employee confronted him, he handed over two cartons, the report said.

A shopper told the store security guard he saw what Blackmon did and that he still had two cartons in his possession. The guard tried to detain him until police arrived, but Blackmon started swinging and tried to escape, the report said. A man identified as an off-duty police officer caught Blackmon and detained him until police came. Blackmon is in the Trumbull County jail on $10,000 bond on a theft charge.

Holiday giving

BOARDMAN

Local businesses have launched holiday giving campaigns to benefit patients at Akron Children’s Hospital Mahoning Valley.

Local toy and book drives and fundraisers for the kids at Akron Children are: Books-A-Million through Saturday – the Eastwood Mall store will accept new books for the Reach out and Read locations in Trumbull County; Ghossain’s through Dec. 22 – locations in Niles and Boardman will accept new toys and books; Kraynak’s through Dec. 22 – the Hermitage, Pa., store will accept new toys and books; Starbucks through Dec. 22 – the Boardman, Austintown and Hermitage locations will collect new toys and books; Ace Hardware through Dec. 25 – local participating locations will be asking customers to round up their change at the registers.

For a list of the most-needed toy items, visit Akron Children’s website at akronchildrens.org/cms/patient-wish-lists. For information about the toy and book drives, call Kelsey Moreton at 330-746-9128.

Liberty road work

LIBERTY

The township trustees will have a public meeting with representatives of the Trumbull County Engineers office at 11 a.m. Thursday at the Liberty Administration Building to discuss the township’s road resurfacing project, including how much it will cost.

A motion was passed to authorize Pat Ungaro, township administrator, to apply for Ohio Public Works money that would help with the resurfacing projects. Trustees Jason Rubin and Stan Nudell thanked the community for its support, as well as the township’s department heads for all of their hard work throughout their eight years of service on the board of trustees.

Monday was their last board meeting. Arnold Clebone and Greg Cizmar’s first meeting as the new trustees will be Jan. 8.

Shop with a Cop

KINSMAN

Township police officers will be taking 14 local children shopping at various township businesses for their annual Shop with a Cop event at 5 p.m. Wednesday.

Each child participating will receive money to purchase Christmas gifts for his/her family. This event would not be possible without the support of the annual Shop with a Cop Fundraiser, money collected from donation cans at local businesses and the generosity of local residents and area businesses, the department said in a news release.

Students donate toys

CANFIELD

The spirit of giving is in the air at Canfield High School.

The school supplied the Salvation Army with items for 300 Angel Tags thanks to the hard work of student council.

The truckload of toys will be leaving the high school and heading to the Salvation Army at 9 a.m. Wednesday.

Rabies vaccination

CANFIELD

The Mahoning County District Board of Health will offer a rabies vaccination clinic from 2 to 4 p.m. Saturday at Angels for Animals.

The vaccinations will cost $8 each, and no appointment is necessary.

Pets must arrive at the facility at 4750 West South Range Road on a leash or in a cage or pillowcase.

All dogs, cats and ferrets over 3 months of age in Mahoning County must be vaccinated.