Ambulance destroyed

Ambulance destroyed

YOUNGSTOWN – An explosion during an ambulance fire early Thursday on the city’s South Side may have been caused by a large oxygen tank in the ambulance, firefighters said.

Firefighters estimated the damage at $75,000 to the Life Fleet ambulance, which was destroyed, and $25,000 to its contents, which were also destroyed. The blaze was reported at 5:09 a.m. Thursday, three minutes before the explosion that greeted arriving firefighters, who saw the ambulance engulfed in flames.

The ambulance was parked 2 to 3 feet behind the Rite Aid drugstore, 2701 Market St., but the fire did not extend into the building.

The ambulance crew escaped from the burning vehicle before the explosion, and there were no injuries.

Jailed in break-in

YOUNGSTOWN — A man who told a city police officer that he walked through the unlocked doors of the federal bankruptcy court building at 1:36 a.m. Thursday because he wanted to ask for directions from a security guard was arrested outside the courthouse, charged with breaking and entering and taken to Mahoning County jail.

Responding to a burglar alarm, city Patrolman William Bailey arrested Gary J. Tigges, 24, of Parma Heights, after finding him lying on the ground outside the main entrance to the Nathaniel R. Jones Federal Building and U.S. Courthouse, 10 E. Commerce St.

An employee of the General Services Administration, which operates federal buildings, secured the building at 3 a.m. after the arrest. The police report did not mention any property having been taken from the building.

Parade in Niles

NILES — All participants planning to take part in the Niles Fourth of July Parade must register before June 22. Registration forms can be picked up at the city building in the mayor’s office, 34 W. State St. The parade will be July 2.

Closed on Flag Day

NEW CASTLE, Pa. — The Lawrence County Courthouse will be closed Monday in observance of Flag Day, Lawrence County commissioners said.

Safety Town sign-up

HOWLAND — The registration deadline for the Howland Fire Department Safety Town is July 1. Sign-up forms for the event, which is 9 a.m. to noon Aug. 10, 11, 12 and 13 at Howland Springs and Howland Glen Schools, are available at the fire department at 169 Niles-Cortland Road (state Route 46). There is no charge for Howland residents, and a $30 fee for nonresidents.

Safety Town, a realistic, child-sized town for preschool-age children entering kindergarten in the fall, is designed to provide hands-on safety education. It teaches children how to be safe at home, at school and at play.

They are instructed on pedestrian, school bus, fire, 911, seatbelt, pet, water, poison, bike and gun safety, and dealing with strangers. Other activities include a school bus ride, and a graduation ceremony the last day of the event.

For more information, call Kelly McGilton at the fire department at (330) 856-5022.

Panel on black males

YOUNGSTOWN — The Buckeye Review along with Sheridan Block Watch pre- sents “The Status of Black Males in Youngstown Part 2 Fathers and Sons” from 3 to 5 p.m. Wednesday at the Covelli Centre VIP Media Room. Invited panelists are Shareef Ali, 100 Black Men Inc.; Jimma McWilson, FAMILY Empowerment Student Achievement Institute; Kevin Jackson, Mahoning County Juvenile Court; Rick Alli, law enforcement; Mike McNair, media consultant; Kenneth King, community activist, researcher, historian; Dr. Ben McGee, education consultant and former Youngstown schools superintendent; and Dr. James Rogers, political consultant, historian. Moderator is former Youngstown Councilman Clarence Boles, editor of the Buckeye Review and host of the radio show “Street Talk.”