Troopers investigate motorcycle accident
BROOKFIELD - A Masury man is in critical condition after he was struck head-on while riding his motorcycle late Wednesday.
Kurt Betts, 47, was taken to St. Elizabeth Health Center in Youngstown where he was in critical condition following the crash that occurred about 10:15 p.m. on Warren-Sharon Road near Brookfield Avenue.
The Ohio State Highway Patrol said Sandra Elrod, of Masury, was driving her 1997 Mazda southwest on Brookfield Avenue when another vehicle turned left in front of her.
Elrod, reports said, swerved to avoid the accident and struck Betts' 1968 BSA motorcycle head-on. Betts was wearing a helmet.
Brookfield police and emergency personnel assisted the Highway Patrol.
Troopers are still investigating the crash and asked any witnesses to call the Warren post at 330-898-2311. Specifically, troopers are looking for anyone who may know the driver of the third vehicle.
Youngstown Fire Dept. fights three fires
YOUNGSTOWN - Firefighters were busy early Thursday fighting blazes at three vacant buildings.
A home at 1355 Oak St. on the East Side that had already caught on fire once was on fire again about 1:20 a.m. Firefighters contained most of the damage to the outside of the home, since there was already heavy damage from the previous fire. Damage was listed at $1,000.
Crews were called to a duplex at 1122 Grandview Ave., also on the East Side, about 2 a.m. Efforts to contain the blaze failed, so crews allowed the building to burn down. Garages at two nearby homes also were damaged, reports state. Damage was listed at $1,600.
At 4:40 a.m., crews were called to a vacant 3623 South Ave. home on the South Side, where a gas can was found inside. The porch roof collapsed during the blaze, reports state.
Causes for the two East Side fires are listed as arson. The South Avenue blaze is under investigation.
One firefighter was slightly injured.
Forum on public schools set for Boardman High
BOARDMAN - A meeting on public schools is planned for 6 p.m. Monday at Boardman High School auditorium, 7777 Glenwood Ave.
Various presenters will discuss ways to preserve and improve public schools and the effect of privatization.
Scheduled to attend are Ted Strickland, former governor of Ohio; Ron Iarussi, superintendent of Mahoning County Educational Service Center; Frank Lazzeri, superintendent of Boardman School District; William Phillis, executive director of Ohio Coalition for Equity and Adequacy of School Funding, and others.
Cortland to hold scrap tire collection
CORTLAND - Cortland will hold its spring scrap tire collection from 8 a.m. to noon Saturday at the city service garage, 184 Willow Drive.
Residents of Cortland can drop off up to eight scrap tires. Those bringing tires need to have verification of residency.
The city also is offering curbside collection on Wednesday. Residents must place tires at the curbs the evening prior to pick-up.
Geauga-Trumbull Solid Waste Management District recently awarded $62,456 to 32 cities, townships and villages in Trumbull County to implement localized scrap tire collection programs.
Annual motorcycle safety ride planned
The Ohio State Highway Patrol will hold the 7th annual North Coast Motorcycle Safety Ride on May 19.
Designed to promote motorcycle safety and awareness, the ride is the result of a partnership between The Ohio State Highway Patrol, Motorcycle Ohio, Safe Communities and University Hospitals.
Proceeds benefit Safe Communities in Trumbull, Mahoning, Ashtabula, Geauga and Lake counties.
This year, the ride will feature two starting points, one at the Ashtabula County Fairgrounds and the other at Bike Town Harley-Davidson in Mahoning County. Both groups will meet at the Parkman Community Center in Geauga County. All riders will then return to the Cortland Moose and Family Center for festivities, safety displays and food. The entire ride will be escorted by state troopers and local law enforcement.
Riders can register the day of the ride at each starting point from 10 to 11 a.m.