Bridge inspection

Bridge inspection

GIRARD

City council voted Monday to allow the Ohio Department of Transportation to inspect all the city’s bridges at no cost to Girard.

The city’s Service Director Jerry Lambert will enter into a contract with ODOT for the inspections.

Additionally, council reviewed legislation to set the income-tax distribution rates for this year.

Under the proposed ordinance, some of the tax revenue would be distributed from the general fund, with 9.3 percent going to the general bond fund, 1 percent going to the recreation fund and 1.8 percent going to the garbage fund.

Year-to-date tax collection through November 2016 was $3,438,979 – a 0.67 percent increase as compared to that time the previous year.

JCCs receive threats

YOUNGSTOWN

Jewish community centers in at least six states received bomb threats Monday, according to media reports.

According to wire reports, hundreds of children, teachers and parents were evacuated from two Jewish Community Centers in the Miami-Dade area in Florida, and across the Eastern U.S. and in England after a series of telephone bomb threats. No explosives were found.

After the reports, officials of the Youngstown JCC on Gypsy Lane issued a statement expressing outrage at the threats.

“We are outraged by the reports of bomb threats at JCC’s around the country, but extremely thankful that no one has been harmed,” executive director Michael Rawl said. “We have not received any similar threats, but already have numerous procedures in place at all times to ensure the safety and security of our members, visitors, and staff.”

Free admission

YOUNGSTOWN

OH WOW! The Roger & Gloria Jones Children’s Center for Science & Technology, 11 W. Federal St., is offering free admission from 3 to 7 p.m. Wednesday.

OH WOW! will be testing its newest exhibit, the Drive to Hold located in its Drive to Excel exhibit gallery. Drive to Hold is an 8-foot high, hands-on, interactive exhibit featuring five different hand prosthetics.

Drive to Excel celebrates the drive of individuals to engage in their world, building on their life experiences and circumstances, exploring equipment and technology.

The exhibit designers will be there and invite thoughts and results of the testing.

Drug charges filed

CANFIELD

Township police arrested and charged man possessing purported crystal methamphetamine, according to a report.

John Wagner, 30, of Salem, was a passenger in a car that township police pulled over because of its loud exhaust. Wagner was not wearing his seat belt and dispatch alerted officers to a criminal history including drug abuse. After obtaining consent for a search, officers found a partially-smoked marijuana cigarette and a small amount of crystal meth.

Wagner is charged with two counts of drug abuse, one felony and one misdemeanor.

1980s days at school

YOUNGSTOWN

Stambaugh Charter Academy, 2420 Donald Ave., will celebrate the 80th day of school with a 1980s day for students and staff today. Everyone is invited to wear their best ’80s attire throughout the day and celebrate the milestone.

Stambaugh Charter Academy, operated by National Heritage Academies, is a free public charter school serving students in kindergarten through eighth grade.

Zoning meeting

ELLSWORTH

The Ellsworth Zoning Commission’s reorganizational meeting followed by the regular meeting will be at 6 p.m. today at the Fire Hall, 6036 S. Salem-Warren Road.

5 minutes with mayor

YOUNGSTOWN

The monthly “Five Minutes with the Mayor” with John A. McNally will take place today starting at 5 p.m. in his office on the first floor of city hall, 26 S. Phelps St.

Citizens are invited to visit with the mayor and ask questions or voice concerns regarding issues in the city.

Facing drug charge

BOARDMAN

Police arrested a Youngstown man on a charge of possession of cocaine.

Izaiah Beacham, 21, of Youngstown, was a passenger in a car police stopped on Indianola Road for driving onto the curb at 7 p.m. Friday. Officers said both the driver and Beacham appeared nervous and were reaching around the vehicle. A police dog sniffed the vehicle and officers found a small amount of purported cocaine on the front passenger’s seat.

Beacham reportedly said, “Yeah, it’s mine. I’ll take the fall for the cocaine. It’s petty [expletive].”

He will appear in Mahoning County Area Court today.