METRO DIGEST || Weight-lifting contest

Liberty oil spill

LIBERTY

A tractor-trailer overturned shortly before 1 p.m. Friday, spilling oil onto the road and a nearby ditch. The driver had been attempting to turn onto Wilson Avenue from Edwards Street, according to the Ohio State Highway Patrol.

Local firefighters and a HazMat team contained the spill. An OSHP trooper said the incident involved a minimal amount of oil.

The incident remains under investigation.

Weight-lifting contest

BOARDMAN

Atty. David Betras and Tom Nelson, a financial consultant, will have a weight-lifting contest at 8:30 a.m. today at Team BSS Training and Fitness, 730 Bev Road, with proceeds going to Angels for Animals.

People can “bet” $20 on either of the two with one person winning a prize package worth more than $5,000. The loser between Betras and Nelson will donate $500 to Angels for Animals. Also, Nelson and his wife, Kathie, will match the first $1,000 in donations and Betras also is giving money. Those wanting to donate can send checks payable to Angels for Animals to Team BSS Training and Fitness, Attention: Meg, 730 Bev Road, Boardman 44512. Place the name Betras or Nelson in the memo line of the check.

Child rape charges

WARREN

Roy J. Allen III, 47, of Warren-Meadville Road, Cortland, pleaded not guilty Friday at his arraignment on six counts of rape, four of them carrying a possible life-prison sentence.

Allen is in the Trumbull County Jail in lieu of $1 million bond. His arraignment was in common pleas court.

Police accuse him of raping an 11-year-old girl three times during summer 2014 and raping the same girl when she was 12 during summer 2015, according to his indictment.

Two other rapes occurred in summer 2015 and October 2016, the indictments says.

Allen compelled the girl to submit by force or threat of force, the indictments say.

Trafficking in cocaine

CAMPBELL

A city man was arraigned Friday afternoon on felony charges after police raided his Princess Street home in the morning.

Craig Bembry, 46, faces multiple charges of trafficking in cocaine. A judge set his bond at $6,000. He will appear Tuesday for a preliminary hearing.

Officers obtained a warrant to arrest Bembry and search his home after undercover investigators bought suspected crack cocaine from Bembry on several occasions, according to a police report.

Police reported finding several scales, a small amount of suspected marijuana and $112 in cash after searching the home.

MetroParks meeting

CANFIELD

The Finance Advisory Committee to the Board of Park Commissioners of Mill Creek MetroParks will meet in public session at 10 a.m. today in Classroom A at the MetroParks Farm, 7574 Columbiana-Canfield Road.

Crash closes turnpike

BOARDMAN

A section of the Ohio Turnpike was closed Friday morning due to a multiple-vehicle accident, according to The Vindicator’s broadcast partner, 21 WFMJ-TV.

The crash, which involved four trucks, reportedly occurred four miles west of the Market Street interchange. A semi tractor-trailer reportedly overturned, with three others then crashing into one another shortly before 3 a.m.

The accident did not result in any life-threatening injuries, WFMJ reported.

Salem hospital open house, tour Tuesday

SALEM

Salem Regional Medical Center is inviting the public to view its new Endoscopy Unit and Outpatient Registration Department during an open house and tour from 4 to 6 p.m. Tuesday at SRMC, 1995 E. State St., Salem.

The cost of the new expanded endoscopy unit was $6.3 million. Through the use of specialized equipment, the unit enables physicians to diagnose and treat a variety of stomach, colon and digestive health conditions, as well as lung ailments.

Event parking is available in SRMC’s parking deck or in the north lot across the street from the hospital.

Niles judge candidate

NILES

Niles Prosecutor Terry Swauger will seek election as Niles Municipal Court judge. He will run in the Democratic primary May 2, he said in a news release.

The current judge, Thomas Townley, is not seeking re-election.

Swauger has been prosecutor since January 2007, making him responsible for prosecuting criminal and traffic cases for Niles, Weathersfield Township and McDonald.

“I plan to continue operating an efficient court while looking to bring new technology and programs to the court to improve the service it provides to residents,” he said.

Swauger has also been in private practice in Trumbull County for more than 21 years and is principal partner in the law firm of Tackett & Swauger.