Local News

At a glance

Johnston will consider nuisance

JOHNSTON – Township trustees are scheduled to meet 6:30 p.m. Tuesday at the Johnston VFW Hall, 5922 Warren Road, to review and discuss nuisance removal from two properties in the township: 5934 and 5970 Youngstown Kingsville Road.

Car catches fire in Champion

CHAMPION – Champion Fire Department responded to reports of a car on fire around 5 p.m. Saturday at Champion Estates.

The car was sitting in front of the building and caught fire. There was nobody inside the vehicle at the time of the fire and there were no injuries.

The car was a total loss, and the cause remains under investigation.

Garage catches fire in Braceville

BRACEVILLE – A blaze at a detached garage at a Braceville residence was fought by four local fire departments Saturday.

Emergency crews from Braceville, Windham, Warren Township and Southington responded to the call around 12:42 p.m. When they arrived, smoke was showing from the garage doors.

There were no injuries, although the homeowners were there at the time of the fire. The cause of the fire remains under investigation. A damage estimate was unavailable as of late Saturday.

More money given to fight lake algae

TOLEDO – The federal government is coming up with more money to help farmers cut down on the fertilizers that are feeding algae in Lake Erie.

U.S. Sen. Sherrod Brown of Ohio announced Friday that an additional $1 million will go into a program that will give grants to farmers who plant winter crops.

Staff, wire reports

Local News

At a glance

Fire causes $75,000 damage to business

CORTLAND – It took fire crews just nine minutes Friday morning to extinguish a fire that caused about $75,000 worth of damage at Control Transfer Inc., 3701 Warren Meadville Road.

The fire appeared to be contained to an oven inside the building, according to a report. Crews were called at about 4:50 a.m. and stayed until about 6:30 a.m. investigating the incident.

Cortland crews were aided by Howland, Mecca, Johnston and Bazetta Departments. Despite the damages, work resumed as usual at the business Friday morning.

Jim Tressel to join Regional Chamber board

YOUNGSTOWN – Youngstown State University President Jim Tressel will take a seat on the Youngstown-Warren Regional Chamber board of directors effective Oct. 1.

Chamber Board chairman Peter J. Asimakopoulos made the announcement this week after the Regional Chamber board voted earlier this summer on the post. He called Tressel a ”vital cog in the Chamber’s work of developing a better educated and trained workforce for our growing economy.”

Tressel was installed Aug. 18 as YSU president.

Mathews school board to meet on contracts

VIENNA – Members of the Mathews Board of Education will hold a special meeting 5 p.m. Tuesday at the board offices, 4429 Warren Sharon Road, to take action on employee contracts and agreements and other business that comes before the board.

Oct. 7 cooking school tickets now on sale

WARREN – Tickets are available for the Tribune Chronicle’s annual Taste of Home cooking school. The show begins at 6 p.m. Oct. 7 at Packard Music Hall; doors open at 4:30 p.m. A total of 1,300 tickets are available.

Culinary specialist chef Eric Villegas returns this year to demonstrate 10 recipes onstage. Each participant will receive a goodie bag and a cookbook that includes recipes presented during the show. Local vendors and businesses will be on hand to provide goodies of their own.

Once again, the Warren show will be part of Taste of Home’s Cooks Who Care program. Any attendee who donates nonperishable food items at the door will be entered into a drawing to win a prize.

Order tickets through the form printed in the Tribune Chronicle, by calling Sue Shafer at 330-841-1696 or emailing sshafer@tribtoday.com. Purchase with a credit card by clicking the Taste of Home link at www.tribtoday.com.

20 Under Twenty nominations sought

WARREN – Nominations are being accepted for the Tribune Chronicle’s second annual 20 Under Twenty program.

The newspaper and Akron Children’s Hospital Mahoning Valley are honoring 20 individuals younger than 20 for outstanding leadership through community service, extracurricular activities and academic achievements.

The top five award recipients will be given $1,000 to be donated to their chosen charity. A magazine featuring the chosen individuals will be published by the Tribune Chronicle, and award recipients will be invited to a banquet in early December.

Nomination forms can be acquired at local high school guidance offices or by contacting Sue Shafer at sshafer@tribtoday.com or 330-841-1696. Forms also are available online at www.tribtoday.com.

Tribune Chronicle

Local News

At a glance

Multiple stab wounds led to Warren death

WARREN – The Trumbull County Coroner’s Office on Thursday confirmed that a city man killed last week at his northwest side home died after being stabbed multiple times.

On Wednesday, a Trumbull County grand jury indicted Greg Brewer, 49, of Warren, in the death of Dominic Bufano, 55, who was killed last Thursday at his 1341 Bingham Ave. N.W. Brewer is scheduled to be arraigned at 9 a.m. in Trumbull County Common Pleas Court. He is charged with murder, aggravated murder, aggravated robbery and tampering with evidence.

Warren police confirmed earlier in the day that they took Brewer into custody around 10:30 a.m. after a warrant was issued for his arrest. They did not say what led them to Brewer.

Naked boy, 4, spotted near Warren restaurant

WARREN – Numerous callers reported a naked boy playing with a red wagon and brown dog in front of the Buena Vista Cafe, 1305 Buena Vista Ave. N.E., police said.

Someone from the restaurant gave the 4-year-old boy a shirt to wear and a neighbor brought him underwear, police said.

When officers responded to the calls just before 11 a.m. Wednesday, the boy was able to tell his first name but said he did not know his last name. But he was able to point out where he lived.

When police knocked on the door, his mother told them she had lain down around 10:30 a.m., and that the boy had unlocked the door and went outside, the police report states.

Police notified the Trumbull County Children Services Board. It was not clear whether police planned to file any charges against the boy’s mother.

Aging Agency donates 4-H hog to food bank

CANFIELD – Area Agency on Aging 11 Inc. Chief Executive Officer Joseph Rossi purchased a 4-H hog at the Junior Fair auction at the Canfield Fair on Thursday to donate to Second Harvest Food Bank.

Rossi said the agency’s role has grown to serve those younger than 60 as well as older, and the common need is food.

“This is a way to not only help our community meet the need of hunger in our area, but it also supports the basic foundation of agriculture at the fair. Supporting Second Harvest is an important project for us as well as supporting children who take part in 4-H,” he said.

Becky Miller, manager of resource development, Second Harvest Food Bank, said 25 percent of the people visiting food bank member agencies are senior citizens.

Donations will be processed by Chamberlain Farms and Pleasant Valley Poultry, with all of the meat being distributed locally in the Mahoning Valley through church pantries and soup kitchens.

Distress Commission to meet with school board

YOUNGSTOWN – The Youngstown Board of Education and Academic Distress Commission will meet at 2 p.m. Thursday in the I.L. Ward Building, 20 W. Wood St., Youngstown. The Ohio Department of Education will present a district review audit from May 2014.

Brookfield to meet on landscaping project

BROOKFIELD – Brookfield Township trustees will hold a special meeting at 5 p.m. today at the township hall to discuss the landscaping around the administration building.

Justice pushes annual pay raises for judges

COLUMBUS – The chief justice of the Ohio Supreme Court is promoting annual cost-of-living increases for judges as a way of keeping judges on the bench and making the profession attractive to new candidates.

Maureen O’Connor says choosing a career in public service shouldn’t mean being saddled with a stagnant salary, with judges now going without a raise since 2008.

Staff, wire reports

Local News

At a glance

Hagan, McNally: Prison handled protest well

YOUNGSTOWN – State Rep. Bob Hagan, D-Youngstown, and Youngstown Mayor John McNally praised the faculty at the Northeast Ohio Correctional Center in a joint letter for their handling of an inmate sit-in protest on Aug. 12.

The two politicians had met with prison officials and expressed concern over the handling of the situation and the facility’s unhurried provision of details on the incident.

“We are happy to hear today from the Bureau of Prisons onsite monitor that this incident was handled correctly, and that this is a well-run facility,” the letter reads. “After meeting with (Corrections Corporation of America) officials and touring the facility, we are confident in their ongoing commitment to ensuring the safety of both the people incarcerated at NEOCC and the residents of our community.”

The nonviolent protest involved about 140 inmates who refused to leave a small outdoor recreational area for several hours over complaints concerning food quality and inmate treatment.

The privately owned facility on Hubbard Road houses male inmates for the U.S. Marshals Service. The low-security prison holds 2,016 beds.

Man leads Warren police on chase

WARREN – A city man was arrested Wednesday after a chase that began on a motor scooter.

William R. Duncan, 30, of 1578 Ferndale Avenue, was being held at the Trumbull County Jail on charges of carrying a concealed weapon, having weapons under disability and various traffic offenses. Warren police Lt. Martin Gargas said formal charges against him likely would be pursued today.

Gargas said one officer went to a local emergency room to be checked out after falling while trying to grab Duncan.

The chase began when police saw a man on a Pocket Rocket motor scooter at Tod Avenue and Summit Street around 5 p.m. The rider threw away a gun in the area of Belmont Avenue, police said.

When Duncan abandoned the scooter, police chased him on foot and caught him in the 100 block of Washington Street, Gargas said. A gun with a loaded magazine was recovered, he said.

Eastern Gateway plans online programs

STEUBENVILLE – Eastern Gateway Community College has been approved by the Higher Learning Commission to offer online degree programs, the college announced Wednesday.

The first online courses to be offered will be Associate of Arts, Associate of Science and Associate of Applied Science, according to James Baber, executive vice president of Academic and Student Affairs, adding that the Associate of Arts degree should be ready by the spring semester.

More than a third of Eastern Gateway’s students take at least one online course.

Eastern Gateway is based in Steubenville, with campuses in Warren and Youngstown.

Missing kayakers were safe all along

CLEVELAND – A search for two kayakers reported missing in Lake Erie was called off after one of them called authorities from home after seeing news reports about the search.

The kayakers made it to shore as a storm rolled in off Cleveland Tuesday night, but they were reported missing by someone who lost sight of them during the storm.

The U.S. Coast Guard responded to search the beaches with a boat and helicopter. Police and fire officials assisted, as well as the Ohio Department of Natural Resources.

The men were about 500 yards offshore, but were wearing life jackets and earlier managed to swim to safety. The search was called off at about 11:45 p.m. after one of the men called the Coast Guard station.

Staff, wire reports

Local News

At a glance

Howland police testing at gun range today

HOWLAND – Gunshots may be heard in the township as the Howland Police Department officers take part in their firearms qualification exams from 6 to 10 p.m. today at their range on North River Road.

Police Chief Paul Monroe said there is no need for residents to be alarmed.

Warren Mission needs donation of foods

WARREN – Members of the Warren Family Mission will be collecting nonperishable items for its food pantry during the Glenn Christian Church Ox Roast at the Trumbull County Fairgrounds in Bazetta, or at the mission, 361 Elm Road, Warren, or 2671 Youngstown Road, Warren.

Pastor Chris Gilger, executive director, said there have been so many requests for food that the mission is having a hard time meeting the demand.

”We are spending double what we were last year on food and we still are having a hard time providing food bags for families in need. There is a large influx of elderly who are in need as well as families and we quite frankly we just can’t keep up,” Gilger said.

Any organization that would like to do a food drive collection barrel is available. For more information, call 330-394-5437 or 330-469-9107

YSU’s Upward Bound Program gets funding

YOUNGSTOWN – The Upward Bound program at Youngstown State University that helps Youngstown city high school students prepare for college received a $249,000 grant to continue the program for the 2014-15 school year, the college has announced.

Upward Bound is designed to help low-income and / or first generation, college-bound high school students graduate from high school, enroll in and succeed in post-secondary education. Two thirds of the participants are from families whose income are below 150 percent of the federal poverty level and in which neither parent graduated from college.

The program celebrates 50 years of service to students this year.

Vienna police confiscate marijuana plants, gear

VIENNA – Police filled a dump truck and a small pickup truck with marijuana plants and with materials to aid plant growth after seizing it from a Vienna house Tuesday afternoon, a Vienna police officer told Tribune Chronicle news partner WYTV 33 News.

Police searched the house at 1292 Karen Oval in Vienna starting around 2:45 p.m. Tuesday and left just after 4 p.m., according to Officer Bob Ludt. Thomas Pepe, 37, was arrested a charge of drug paraphernalia in connection with the seizure.

Ludt said the seized material includes 80 to 100 plants, assorted loose-leaf marijuana in bags, bottles, boxes, lights and tinfoil placed on the walls to increase brightness.

Local News

At a glance

Howland officers head to shooting range

HOWLAND – Gunshots may be heard in the township as the Howland Police Department takes part in firearms qualification exams from 6 to 10 p.m. today and Wednesday at its range on North River Road.

Police Chief Paul Monroe said there is no need for residents to be alarmed.

20 Under Twenty nominations sought

WARREN – Nominations are being accepted for the Tribune Chronicle’s second annual 20 Under Twenty program.

The newspaper and Akron Children’s Hospital Mahoning Valley are honoring 20 individuals younger than 20 for outstanding leadership through community service, extracurricular activities and academic achievements.

The top five award recipients will be given $1,000 to be donated to their chosen charity. A magazine featuring the chosen individuals will be published by the Tribune Chronicle, and award recipients will be invited to a banquet in early December.

Nomination forms can be acquired at local high school guidance offices or by contacting Sue Shafer at sshafer@tribtoday.com or 330-841-1696. Forms also are available online at www.tribtoday.com.

Oct. 7 cooking school tickets now on sale

WARREN – Tickets are available for the Tribune Chronicle’s annual Taste of Home cooking school. The show begins at 6 p.m. Oct. 7 at Packard Music Hall; doors open at 4:30 p.m. A total 1,300 tickets are available.

Culinary specialist chef Eric Villegas returns this year to demonstrate 10 recipes onstage. Each participant will receive a goodie bag and a cookbook that includes recipes presented during the show. Local vendors and businesses will be on hand to provide goodies of their own.

Once again, the Warren show will be part of Taste of Home’s Cooks Who Care program. Any attendee who donates nonperishable food items at the door will be entered into a drawing to win a prize.

Order tickets through the form printed in the Tribune Chronicle, by calling Sue Shafer at 330-841-1696 or emailing sshafer@tribtoday.com. Purchase with a credit card by clicking the Taste of Home link at www.tribtoday.comp.

Tribune Chronicle

Local News

At a glance

Police: Bicyclist injured in hit-skip in Warren

WARREN – A man riding a bicycle along Niles Road was injured Friday night when his bike was struck by a motorist who did not stop.

The man, whose identity was not immediately available, was taken by ambulance to Trumbull Memorial Hospital, according to officers who responded to the scene around 9 p.m. He was reported to have non-life-threatening injuries.

A Ohio State Highway Patrol sergeant said a small, dark-colored car struck the man in the 3600 block of Niles Road, and drove away, leaving behind pieces of a rearview mirror.

The bike did not have a light and the man was wearing dark clothes, the trooper said.

Neighbors who gathered to watch near 3612 Niles Road said motorists often speed in the area and pointed out that part of the road does not have enough street lamps.

Court: County could be liable for fatal wreck

AKRON – An appeals court says a northeastern Ohio county could be liable in the death of a 17-year-old girl who apparently lost control while driving on a road under repair.

At issue is the absence of white lines on the rural road in Wayne County during the repair project in 2011.

The parents of crash victim Kelli Baker say the county is liable because the condition of the road contributed to the accident, including the lack of lines and steep berms.

A judge rejected the family’s lawsuit, saying the county had immunity, but the Ninth District Court of Appeals overturned that decision last week.

The appeals court returned the case to the judge for further review, saying the county could be liable for failing to keep the road in repair.

20 Under Twenty nominations sought

WARREN – Nominations are being accepted for the Tribune Chronicle’s second annual 20 Under Twenty program.

The newspaper and Akron Children’s Hospital Mahoning Valley are honoring 20 individuals younger than 20 for outstanding leadership through community service, extracurricular activities and academic achievements.

Nomination forms can be acquired at local high school guidance offices or by contacting Sue Shafer at sshafer@tribtoday.com or 330-841-1696. Forms also are available online at www.tribtoday.com.

Oct. 7 cooking school tickets now on sale

WARREN – Tickets are available for the Tribune Chronicle’s annual Taste of Home cooking school 6 p.m. Oct. 7 at Packard Music Hall.

Culinary specialist chef Eric Villegas is returning to demonstrate 10 recipes onstage. Each participant will receive a goodie bag and a cookbook with recipes presented during the show. Local vendors and businesses also will provide goodies of their own.

Once again, the Warren show will be part of Taste of Home’s Cooks Who Care program. Attendees who donate nonperishable food items at the door will be entered into a prize drawing.

Order tickets through the form printed in the Tribune Chronicle, call Sue Shafer at 330-841-1696 or email sshafer@tribtoday.com.

Purchase with a credit card by clicking the Taste of Home link at www.tribtoday.com.

Staff, wire reports

Local News

At a glance

State Route 5 to remain closed at least 10 days

NEWTON FALLS – A 4-foot deep hole beneath three of four lanes on state Route 5 will continue to keep the road closed between state Routes 82 and 534 for at least 10 days.

“The rain really washed it out. There was a culvert there, too, and that got washed out,” said Brent Kovacs, Ohio Department of Transportation spokesman.

The sinkhole occurred just east of the intersection with Interstate 80, he said. Drivers using the turnpike will only be able to exit onto the westbound lane of Route 5. Drivers wishing to enter the turnpike will only be able to do so from the west. Otherwise, Route 5 is closed between state Routes 82 and 534.

Kovacs said the issue has been marked as an emergency project and will be dealt with as swiftly as possible.

Trumbull County dispatch was called about 10:30 a.m. Wednesday when the shoulder of the road caved in after heavy rains and flooding.

Statewide candidates stopping by area today

Two candidates for statewide elected office will be campaigning today in Trumbull County.

Democratic state Rep. Connie Pillich from Cincinnati, who is challenging Republican Josh Mandel in the Ohio treasurer’s race, will have a roundtable discussion at 10 a.m. at the Mocha House, 467 High St. N.E., Warren.

Democrat David Pepper, the former Hamilton County commissioner who is running for Ohio attorney general against Republican Mike DeWine, will be at Vernon’s Cafe, 720 Youngstown Warren Road, Niles, at 1 p.m.

Public record training scheduled in Mahoning

CANFIELD – The Mahoning County Career and Technical Center will host a training session on Ohio’s public records law 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Sept. 8.

The training will be done by Ohio Auditor Dave Yost’s Office. Registration is required and can be done at ohioauditor.gov/trainings/

registration.html.

MCCTC is located at 7300 N. Palmyra Road, Canfield.

Warren road to close Saturday for car show

WARREN – Roads will be closed Saturday for the Sunrise Inn car show.

East Market Street at Vine and Elm Road and also at Chestnut and Elm Road will be closed from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday for the car show.

20 Under Twenty nominations sought

WARREN – Nominations are being accepted for the Tribune Chronicle’s second annual 20 Under Twenty program.

The newspaper and Akron Children’s Hospital Mahoning Valley are honoring 20 individuals younger than 20 for outstanding leadership through community service, extracurricular activities and academic achievements.

Nomination forms can be acquired at local high school guidance offices or by contacting Sue Shafer at sshafer@tribtoday.com or 330-841-1696. Forms also are available online at www.tribtoday.com.

Oct. 7 cooking school tickets now on sale

WARREN – Tickets are available for the Tribune Chronicle’s annual Taste of Home cooking school. The show begins at 6 p.m. Oct. 7 at Packard Music Hall; doors open at 4:30 p.m. A total 1,300 tickets are available.

Culinary specialist chef Eric Villegas returns this year to demonstrate 10 recipes onstage. Each participant will receive a goodie bag and a cookbook that includes recipes presented during the show. Local vendors and businesses will be on hand to provide goodies of their own.

Order tickets through the form printed in the Tribune Chronicle, by calling Sue Shafer at 330-841-1696 or emailing sshafer@tribtoday.com. Purchase with a credit card by clicking the Taste of Home link at www.tribtoday.com.

Staff, wire reports

Local News

At a glance

Three, including baby, hurt in Braceville crash

BRACEVILLE – Three people, including a baby, were injured in a two-vehicle crash Tuesday morning on state Route 5 near Burnett Drive.

The Ohio State Highway Patrol, which is investigating the 8:30 a.m. collision, confirmed that the baby, who was in a car seat, and two other people were transported to Trumbull Memorial Hospital for treatment. Their names were not released, and an update on their conditions was not available Tuesday.

Wife of parent killer sentenced to prison

WARREN – The 36-year-old wife of a local man who is serving two life sentences for killing his parents was sentenced herself Tuesday to a year in prison.

Tonya Mann, of Maple Street, Newton Falls, was found guilty of a probation violation by Trumbull County Common Pleas Judge Andrew Logan, who ruled she failed to complete a drug program.

She was placed on probation in November 2010, when she pleaded guilty to breaking and entering.

She testified in last November’s capital murder case in which her husband, Louis, escaped the death penalty. The self-proclaimed drug addict, who stole from his parents, admitted that he strangled his mother, Frances M. Mann, 53, with a clothesline and shot his father, Philip J. Mann Sr., 59, with a .22 caliber rifle after beating him to death with a flashlight Sept. 30, 2011.

Warren man charged with rape of boy, 14

WARREN – Bond for a city man charged with the rape of a 14-year-old boy was set at $100,000 during his arraignment on Tuesday.

Michael E. Jachimiak, 61, of 979 State Road, has a preliminary hearing scheduled Aug. 28 in Warren Municipal Court in front of Judge Thomas P. Gysegem.

Jachimiak, who was told he is prohibited from having any contact with the boy, was being held at the Trumbull County Jail.

The boy’s aunt reported that a sexual assault involving the boy had occurred around 6:30 p.m. Saturday at Packard Park.

Youngstown to hold back-to-school kickoff

YOUNGSTOWN – The Youngstown City School District will host “The Total Package” – a kickoff event on Saturday for students, parents, teachers, staff and the community ahead of the new school year.

The event will take place from noon to 4 p.m. Saturday at the Rayen Stadium, 250 Benita Ave., and is free. It will include entertainment, prizes, games, face painting and food as well as free transportation to and from the stadium.

Children in grades K-12 will be given bookbags filled with school supplies. Registration for the giveaway will begin at 10 a.m.

All children must be accompanied by an adult.

Couple stabbed at home; adult son charged

WESTLAKE – A 22-year-old man suspected of stabbing his parents at their suburban Cleveland home has been charged with felonious assault.

Westlake police said in a statement Tuesday that a 58-year-old man was flown to a Cleveland hospital with life-threatening injuries, and his 56-year-old wife was in stable condition. Police say authorities learned about the stabbings after a hang-up 911 call Monday night and a subsequent callback by a dispatcher.

The couple’s son was arrested without incident after a search less than two hours later.

$2M offered to farmers to help reduce algae

TOLEDO – The federal government is offering $2 million to Ohio farmers to help prevent farm runoff that contributes to potentially harmful algae blooms.

Farmers in 20 counties in the western Lake Erie watershed can apply for some of the funds to plant cover crops to reduce nutrient runoff and erosion. The federal money, provided by the Natural Resources Conservation Service, is aimed at reducing future algae blooms.

Staff, wire reports

Local News

At a glance

Preschool program gets Warren SOUP funding

WARREN – Preschoolers and the elderly will be making friends after a group of preschool teachers won $1,010 at the summer Warren SOUP event held Saturday at the Laird Community Garden.

The “Warren Kids Care” project, presented by Warren City Schools Preschool, which will take the children on field trips to nursing homes, was one of four local projects presented at the seasonal microfunding dinner.

About 100 people each donated $5 to partake in the picnic provided by Sunrise Inn, the Niles Olive Garden, Courthouse Grille, the Elm Road Giant Eagle and the Trumbull Neighborhood Partnership. The money raised at the door was doubled by a grant from PNC Bank and awarded to the presenter that received the most votes from the diners.

The next SOUP event will take place in the autumn with time and place to be announced.

Salem deal to sell frack water renewed

SALEM – The city Utilities Commission has agreed to renew a deal to sell water to Chesapeake Operating Inc., this time for a two-year period at the same price of $5 per 1,000 gallons of raw water.

A one-year agreement that took effect March 12, 2013, expired, but had been prepared for renewal.

The company has yet to buy any water from the city, but utilities superintendent Don Weingart said a representative called this week about it.

“I expect sometime in the near future that they’ll be buying the water,” he said.

Cropwalk recruitment meeting planned

CORTLAND – A Cropwalk recruitment meeting is being held at 4 p.m. today at Cortland United Methodist Church. Warren and Newton Falls also participate in this crop walk. Church representatives and other interested persons are invited to hear more about the event.

Oct. 7 cooking school tickets now on sale

Tickets are now available for the Tribune Chronicle’s annual Taste of Home cooking school. The show begins at 6 p.m. Oct. 7 at Packard Music Hall; doors open at 4:30 p.m. Only 1,300 tickets are available and sell out fast.

Culinary specialist chef Eric Villegas returns this year to demonstrate 10 recipes on stage.

Each participant will receive a goodie bag and a cookbook including recipes presented during the show. Local vendors and businesses will be on hand to provide goodies of their own.

Once again, the Warren show will be part of Taste of Home’s Cooks Who Care program. Any attendee who donates nonperishable food items at the door will be entered into a drawing to win a special prize.

Order tickets through the form printed in the Tribune Chronicle, by calling Sue Shafer at 330-841-1696 or emailing sshafer@tribtoday.com. Purchase with a credit card by clicking the Taste of Home link at www.tribtoday.com.

Tribune Chronicle

Local News

At a glance

Sen. Brown to visit reopened Warren mill

WARREN – U.S. Sen. Sherrod Brown will tour Warren Steel Holdings, 4000 Mahoning Ave., at 10 a.m. Monday to meet with workers and outline what he thinks needs done to boost domestically produced steel.

The mill, which had been idled since March, reopened earlier this month after the Public Utilities Commission of Ohio agreed to give it a utility rate reduction. Brown worked to get the price break in place.

Girard council to meet on paving, fields

GIRARD – Girard City Council has scheduled a special meeting for 6:30 p.m. Monday at council chambers at the justice building to act on a contract for paving of streets.

Council will also act on advertising for bids for the construction of soccer fields at Liberty Park.

Niles man enters plea in credit card case

NILES – A Niles man wanted in connection with thefts from vehicles pleaded not guilty on Friday morning in Niles Municipal Court.

Brandon Haun, 19, of Niles pleaded not guilty to a misdemeanor charge of credit card misuse. Haun did not enter a plea to charges of receiving stolen property or forgery.

Court records show Haun is due back in court at 9:30 a.m. Oct. 10 for a preliminary hearing on all three charges.

A warrant for Haun’s arrest was issued Tuesday by Niles police. He is suspected of several thefts from cars that have occurred in the past few weeks. In one case, police said a man reported having his wallet taken from his car while it was parked for a funeral at Rossi Funeral Home on Robbins Avenue.

Authorities identified Haun after publicizing surveillance images of a man using a stolen credit card at several businesses in the city.

YSU faculty reached tentative agreement

YOUNGSTOWN – Youngstown State University and the YSU-Ohio Education Association have reached a tentative agreement on a three-year contract for university faculty.

Details of the tentative pact were nto announced. The tentative pact must be ratified by the faculty and by the YSU Board of Trustees. Those votes will be scheduled over the next several weeks, according to a news release Friday from the university.

YSU President Jim Tressel said he extends his thanks to members of the faculty negotiation team for their diligence in contract talks and their continued commitment to the university.

Interim Provost Teri Riley and Kevin Reynolds, YSU chief human resources officer and the chief negotiator for the university, also thanked the faculty team for its collaboration in reaching a settlement, according to the release.

Classes begin at YSU Wednesday.

Flags fly half-staff for ‘trailblazer’ Kearns

COLUMBUS – Flags are being flown at half-staff over Ohio’s Statehouse in honor of a veteran public servant who worked to pass laws aiding the mentally ill and legitimizing the profession of advanced practice nursing.

Republican Merle Grace Kearns died Saturday. She was 76.

Gov. John Kasich ordered flags flown at half-staff at the Statehouse and at public buildings across Clark County on Friday, when private funeral services are planned.

Kearns spent 27 years in public life, serving as a Clark County commissioner, state representative and senator and director of the Ohio Department of Aging.

House Speaker William Batchelder called Kearns “a steadfast trailblazer.” Senate President Keith Faber said Kearns worked to help some of society’s most vulnerable.

Kearns was inducted in the Ohio Women’s Hall of Fame in 2010.

Staff, wire reports

Local News

At a glance

Crews respond

to Niles crash

NILES – Emergency crews were called to a two-vehicle crash Thursday on state Route 46 at Wayne Street. Emergency medical crews examined occupants of both vehicles at the crash scene, but no one was transported to the hospital.

Just after 12:30 p.m., a car pulled out from Wayne Street into the path of a vehicle traveling south on Route 46 that then struck the first vehicle and careened into a small patch of woods, coming to a stop in the parking lot of a local medical office, police said.

Names of drivers and possible charges have yet to be released.

Cast-iron train bell stolen from Liberty

LIBERTY – Township police are looking for a large cast-iron bell reported missing from a resident’s yard.

The resident told police that the bell is more than 60 years old and was once used on a train. The bell weighs several hundred pounds and it would have taken several people to remove it from her yard, the police report states.

Anyone with any information is asked to contact the police department at 330-759-1511 or 330-759-1315, Ext. 215.

Wine, flowers missing from Log Cabin

WARREN – Five cases of wine, 10 cases of soda and several flower bushes belonging to the Warren Italian-American Festival Committee were among items discovered missing from the Log Cabin on Mahoning Avenue this week.

Carol Ficetti, festival president, reported on Wednesday that 10 bottles of wine and miscellaneous baskets were also taken during a break-in at the cabin sometime between 4 p.m. Tuesday and 10 a.m. Wednesday, according to a Warren police report.

The police report lists the total value of the items as being close to $1,200.

Ravenna man pleads to advertising scam

WARREN – A 19-year-old Ravenna man could face up to 18 months in prison after pleading guilty Thursday to a charge of grand theft in connection with a fraudulent advertising scheme he pulled on operators of the Bloomfield Livestock Auction.

David Fox of East Lake Street was indicted for the scheme last summer when authorities said he accepted commission checks for advertisements he claimed he sold on behalf of the auction.

Some of the money from the ads – normally posted like little billboard signs around the auction ring – never arrived at the Bloomfield business since he never sold ads to various feed and supply and other businesses.

Prosecutors say more than $10,000 was stolen in the scam.

Weathersfield road to close for resurfacing

WEATHERSFIELD – Austintown Warren Road, between Carson Salt Springs Road and West Park Avenue, will be closed Monday and Tuesday for road resurfacing being done by the Shelly Company.

The Trumbull County Engineer’s office is recommending the following detour: west on Carson Salt Springs Road, north on Highland Avenue, and east on Brunstetter Road and West Park Avenue.

Niles man sentenced to two years in prison

WARREN – A 26-year-old Niles man was sentenced to two years in prison Thursday after pleading guilty in June to charges of felonious assault and grand theft of a motor vehicle.

Sammie Summerlin Jr. of Royal Mall Drive led police on a brief chase July 3, 2013, from Niles to Warren before he was stopped at Union Street and Parkman Road S.W. A resident of the Royal Mall reported to police that a man with a gun fled the apartment complex in a green-colored vehicle. The man fired several shots at a vehicle in the parking lot, putting a hole in the hood, according to reports

Prosecutors say Summerlin stole a car belonging to an ex-girlfriend after he shot into the car of another man the ex-girlfriend was seeing.

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Drug ring leader sentenced to six years

CLEVELAND – A 42-year-old Detroit man whom authorities linked to the drug pipeline into Warren was sentenced to 77 months in prison Tuesday by a federal judge.

Valentino Thomas Sr. entered a guilty plea in May to a charge of conspiracy with intent to distribute, and to distribute heroin, cocaine and cocaine base.

He was one of more than 50 people indicted on drugs and weapons charges in federal court in April 2013 in an investigation dubbed “Little D’Town,” because of the connections between drug dealers from Detroit and Warren.

An additional 42 people in the case were charged in Trumbull County Common Pleas Court and most of those cases have been resolved with defendants being placed on probation.

The indictments capped a yearlong investigation by several federal, state and local law enforcement agencies.

Employee fired after failing ‘last chance’

WARREN – An employee of the Trumbull County Sanitary Engineer’s Office was terminated from his job Wednesday for not complying with the terms of a last-chance agreement.

Bill Cupples, according to the agreement he signed May 28, was required to complete 24 group sessions and aftercare program at Neil Kennedy Recovery Clinic for substance abuse. He also was required to attend weekly meetings during the treatment, the agreement states.

Cupples, hired in 2000, was a sewer line maintenance crew leader. He earned $18.44 an hour.

Board approves pact for dispatchers

WARREN – Trumbull County commissioners on Wednesday approved a three-year agreement for 911 Center dispatchers that gives them a slight pay raise in the first year.

The contract calls for all 26 dispatchers to get a 30-cent per hour pay increase beginning Jan. 1, taking their wage to $16.02 an hour. The agreement also gives dispatchers working the afternoon and overnight shifts will receive a 45 cent shift differential and will be opened in January 2015 and 2016 to discuss wages. Dispatchers have approved the agreement.

Money in desk missing from doctor’s office

WARREN – Police said they couldn’t find any forced entry at a local doctor’s office, but a security alarm still sounded late Tuesday at the office of Dr. Carlos Ricotti, 1373 E. Market St.

Officers said $190 was found missing from a desk drawer but nothing else was missing after the 11:54 p.m. alarm.

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At a glance

Nov. 4 ballot certified; election lineup is set

WARREN – Trumbull County Board of Elections members on Tuesday certified the Nov. 4 ballot, which includes two referendum attempts in Newton Falls.

Village residents will vote on a 1 percent credit for residents paying income tax to other municipalities and on a storm water utility fee.

The ballots also include candidates nominated from the May primary election; the two men who will run to fill the vacant Trumbull County commissioner seat – Democrat Mauro Cantalamessa of Warren and Republican J.D. Williams of Liberty – nine liquor options and 30 levy requests from communities and school districts, including a $23.8 million bond issue and levy to build a new school in the Lakeview School District.

Van crashes into utility pole, rolls on its side

WARREN – Emergency crews were called out Tuesday morning after a van crashed into a telephone pole, snapped the pole in half and rolled onto its side.

Initial reports indicated that an ambulance had rolled onto its side around 9:30 a.m. at 140 Atlantic St. N.W. However, the vehicle was actually a van used to transport individuals who use wheelchairs, Warren fire officials reported.

The driver, whose name was not available, was out of the van and being evaluated by ambulance staff when firefighters arrived, according to a Warren Fire Department accident report. There were no passengers.

Ohio Edison was called to take care of the damaged utility pole. Warren police also responded. A crash report from the police department was not available.

Commissioners to act on dispatcher contract

WARREN – Trumbull County commissioners today are expected to approve a three-year agreement with 911 Center dispatchers that gives them a modest pay raise in the first year.

All 26 dispatchers would receive a 30-cents-an-hour pay increase beginning the first of January, taking their wage to $16.02 an hour, and dispatchers working the afternoon and overnight shifts would receive a 45 cents shift differential. The proposal also calls for the agreement to opened in January 2015 and 2016 to discuss wages.

Dispatchers already have approved the agreement.

Man says house shot at twice within a week

WARREN – Gunshots were fired into a house for the second time in a week.

Warren police were called to 740 Glenwood St. N.E. around 12:40 a.m. Tuesday, where Ricardo McKinney, 29, told officers that his house was shot at while he was away. A neighbor told police that he saw a white SUV drive away after the shots were fired.

Police found bullet holes in a window and the siding of the house. Police collected eight 40-caliber shell casings from the street in front of McKinney’s residence.

Thursday morning, McKinney was lying on his couch in the living room when several rounds smashed through the house and damaged interior walls and a TV that was mounted on the wall, a report states.

Animal park worker killed in cart crash

BERLIN – A horse-drawn wagon ran over an animal park worker in Ohio’s Amish country and crashed, killing the worker and injuring nine passengers.

The Holmes County Sheriff’s Office said deputies were called to Rolling Ridge Ranch Animal Park in Berlin on Tuesday morning. It says Apple Creek resident Orley Miller was operating the wagon and was pronounced dead at the scene.

Investigators say Miller stopped the wagon to let passengers feed nearby wildlife. They say Miller was leaning on the wagon’s safety rail, which broke and caused him to fall backward. The spooked horses then took off, and the wagon ran over him and struck a tree.

Staff, wire reports

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At a glance

Austintown board picks asst. superintendent

The Austintown Board of Education has appointed Jeremy Batchelor as its new assistant superintendent.

Batchelor was granted a three-year contract during the regular meeting on Wednesday.

“I am very excited to be the new assistant superintendent of the Austintown Schools. I spent several years in Austintown in the beginning of my career and I am happy to be coming home,” he said.

Batchelor formerly worked as an assistant principal in the district.

Landscapers sought for post-demolitions

WARREN – Landscapers are being sought by the Trumbull County Land Bank to maintain properties through the Neighborhood Initiative Program.

“Through the NIP program, TNP is seeking to stabilize neighborhoods through the demolition of derelict vacant properties, but the work doesn’t end there – we also need a maintenance plan until an end user can be identified, “said Matt Martin, Executive Director of the Trumbull Neighborhood Partnership.

A significant number of residential properties will be demolished through NIP during the next 18 months. The properties will require landscape maintenance. Contractors must meet the land bank’s qualifications and partner in its mission to revitalize neighborhoods.

Contractors can contact the land bank at 330-469-6828, shawn@ tnpwarren.org or in person at 170 N. Park Ave. in downtown Warren to fill out a contractor pre-qualification form.

Gov. Kasich to speak at Tressel’s installation

YOUNGSTOWN – Ohio Gov. John Kasich will be the keynote speaker during the installation ceremony for Youngstown State University President James P. Tressel.

The ceremony for YSU’s ninth president will be held 2 p.m. Monday in the Beeghly Center on the YSU campus.

In addition to Kasich, several state government and higher education leaders also are expected to attend the ceremony. The installation is open to the public. Free parking will be available on campus, and a reception will follow.

Niles McKinley to hold orientation

NILES – The Niles McKinley High School will hold an orientation for two sessions at 11 a.m. and 5 p.m. Aug. 20 in the high school auditorium, 616 Dragon Drive.

All freshmen and new students, along with their parents or guardians, are invited to attend. Building and guidance counselors will be on hand.

Township to meet on road personnel

WARREN TOWNSHIP – Warren Township Board of Trustees will meet at 6 p.m. today at the administration building to discuss road personnel matters.

Local News

At a glance

Howland to spray for mosquitoes

HOWLAND – Alexander Pest Control has been contracted to spray for mosquitoes in the township from 9 p.m. to 5 a.m. today and Tuesday.

In case of rain, the spraying will take place the following evening.

Residents are advised to close their windows, keep pets indoors and not leave any food outside during the spraying.

Newton trustees to meet for work session

NEWTON – Newton Township trustees have scheduled a work session for 9 a.m. today at the township administration building, 4410 Newton Falls-Bailey Road, to discuss general township business.

Vienna trustees cancel today’s meeting

The Vienna Township Board of Trustees has canceled its meeting scheduled for today and will reschedule it at a later date.

Oct. 7 cooking school tickets now on sale

Tickets are now available for the Tribune Chronicle’s annual Taste of Home cooking school. The show begins at 6 p.m. Oct. 7 at Packard Music Hall; doors open at 4:30 p.m. Only 1,300 tickets are available and sell out fast.

Culinary specialist chef Eric Villegas returns this year to demonstrate 10 recipes on stage.

Each participant will receive a goodie bag and a cookbook including recipes presented during the show. Local vendors and businesses will be on hand to provide goodies of their own.

Once again, the Warren show will be part of Taste of Home’s Cooks Who Care program. Any attendee who donates nonperishable food items at the door will be entered into a drawing to win a special prize.

General admission tickets are $10. VIP tickets are $20 and include a special entrance and premiere seating for the show. Order tickets through the form printed in the Tribune Chronicle, by calling Sue Shafer at 330-841-1696 or at sshafer@tribotday.com.

Highway median becomes bee habitat

COLUMBUS – A state agency is turning a southern Ohio highway median into a honeybee paradise in an effort to create habitats for a bee population that has been declining in recent years.

The Ohio Department of Transportation planted wildflower seeds in two, 1-acre lots along Ohio 207 in Ross County in June to start a three-year process creating habitats for bees and other pollinators.

A department spokeswoman says the seeds beginning to germinate are a mix of native Ohio wildflowers intended to provide much-needed food for honeybees and beautify the road.

Increasing numbers of diseases and pests in recent years have thinned colonies and threatened Ohio’s agriculture industry.

Staff, wire reports

Local News

At a glance

Dead kitten found on vehicle windshield

WARREN – A Sylvan Street N.W. woman found a dead kitten on the windshield of her vehicle early Thursday morning, according to a police report.

The report states the kitten’s back legs were wrapped in paper towels and taped with first aid tape like they were broken. Also, both legs had wooden sticks on them like splints, the report states.

The woman found the tan-and- white kitten about 7 a.m.

Democratic dinner changed to Tippecanoe

CANFIELD – The time and location of the 2014 Mahoning County Democratic Party chairman’s dinner have changed.

The event, headlined by U.S. Sen. Cory Booker, D-New Jersey, will be held 7 to 10 p.m. Aug. 22 at Tippecanoe Country Club, 5870 Tippecanoe Road, Canfield. Tickets cost $500 a piece.

Anyone interested in attending may contact party treasurer Ric Clautti at 330-502-2997, online at www.mahoningcountydems.org or on the party’s Facebook page.

Soil and Water district looking for members

WARREN – The Trumbull Soil and Water Conservation District’s nominating committee is looking to fill two seats on the district’s five-person Board of Supervisors.

The election to the three-year term will be Oct. 23 at the district’s annual awards banquet.

Members serve voluntarily and meet once monthly to conduct district business and help plan educational and outreach programs.

Interested county residents older than 18 must send a letter of interest with resume to the Trumbull Soil and Water Conservation District nominations committee, 520 W. Main St., Cortland 44410, by Aug. 29.

Police: Gunmen shot each other

YOUNGSTOWN – Police believe that the victims of a double homicide in Youngstown killed each other in a shootout Thursday night.

The victims were identified Friday morning as Charles Moore, 23, and Marquell McLane, 27. The shooting happened in the 1400 block of Willow Court in the Rockford Village housing complex on the East Side.

McLane was found lying face-up near a trash container in the side yard of 1459 Maplewood Court, according to a police report. Moore’s body was found in the driver’s seat of a green Chevy Malibu parked in front of nearby 1465 Dogwood Lane, police said.

Moore was supposed to be sentenced on gang-related charges next week, according to Tribune Chronicle news partner WYTV 33 News. He was accused him of being a member of the drug-dealing street gang “Vic Boys.”

McLane was twice charged with carrying a concealed weapon, and served sentences of one year of community service the first time and six months in prison the second time, according to court records.

Guardsman gets two years in bomb case

COLUMBUS – An Indiana National Guardsman who had homemade explosive devices in his vehicle when he was pulled over in Ohio has been sentenced to two years in prison.

Andrew Scott Boguslawski had nine unregistered bombs and four devices that could be converted into bombs when he was stopped for speeding in January. He pleaded guilty in April.

Prosecutors had sought a four-year sentence. Defense attorney Steve Nolder says the shorter sentence indicates the judge found the 44-year-old Boguslawski had no malevolent intent.

Nolder previously said his client played the role of an enemy fighter when he helped train troops departing for war zones and wanted to make the job as real as possible.

The court also ordered Boguslawski to remain under court supervision for three years following his release.

Staff, wire reports

Local News

At a glance

Man reports being robbed at gunpoint

WARREN – A man walking on Second Street in Warren said he was robbed at gunpoint late Wednesday.

Mitchell D. Johnson of Main Avenue S.W. told police he was walking south on Wood Street nearing Second Street when he saw four men walking the same direction at a distance behind him. He turned onto Second Street and walked faster, and they increased their speed until they caught up with him, the police report states.

One of the men held a silver handgun while another emptied his pockets of a cell phone and $43. Johnson said his wallet, including his identification, was returned to him. He was not injured, the report states.

Johnson described the robbers as black men in their early 20s, one of whom wore a gray sweatshirt and had dreadlocks.

Greene trustees seek fiscal officer applicants

GREENE – Greene Township trustees are looking to fill the position of fiscal officer after the recent resignation of the officer.

Trustees will hold a meeting at 7 p.m. Monday at the township hall, state Route 87 and Durst Colebrook Road, to receive resumes.

Individuals interested in filling the position are asked to bring their resumes and letter of interest to the town hall.

Culvert work planned in Southington

SOUTHINGTON – Phalanx Mills Herner Road between state Route 534 and Herner Countyline Road will be closed today through Monday for culvert replacement work.

The Trumbull County Engineer’s office is recommends the following detour: north on Route 534 and west on Herner Countyline Road.

Food bank sending water to Toledo

YOUNGSTOWN – Second Harvest Food Bank of the Mahoning Valley will ship more than 1,000 gallons of bottled water to the Toledo Northwestern Ohio Food Bank. The water will leave around 11 a.m. today.

They join other Ohio food banks in pitching in to get safe drinking water to Toledo area residents after reports of contaminated water supplies earlier in the week.

Michael Iberis, executive director, Second Harvest Food Bank of the Mahoning Valley said food banks are the key leaders in Ohio’s emergency food assistance network.

“Our most pressing and ongoing work is providing food in the event of emergencies related to job loss, illness and other hunger-causing crises. But we are also here as a network to respond in the event of emergencies like the water contamination in northwest Ohio, ” he said.

Vehicle theft ring suspects indicted

YOUNGSTOWN – Five Trumbull County residents were indicted by a Mahoning County grand jury Thursday on 10 counts in connection to a theft ring stealing from unlocked car and trucks.

Indicted were Rex Putnam, 34, of Warren; Roxann Putnam, 32, of Warren; Mark Mansfield, 30, of Niles; Tera Watters, 24, of Niles; and Keith Sarrach, 23, of Niles.

Each faces one count of engaging in a pattern of corrupt activity, one count of felony burglary, one count of attempted theft, four counts of felony theft and three counts of receiving stolen property.

In late June, Putnam and Mansfield, both of Niles, were arrested when Mahoning County deputies and members of the U.S. Marshal’s Task Force raided a home on Huntley Drive in Howland.

Watters, Sarrach and Putnam were arrested after a string of thefts in Poland during a separate raid.

Officials said that during the raid, they found five duffel bags full of suspected stolen merchandise, including cell phone and GPS units believed to have taken from unlocked vehicles around southern Mahoning County, including Canfield.

Investigators reported having at least 25 thefts in the Canfield area the past couple of months, with dozens more in other communities in southern Mahoning County.

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Warren pedestrian robbed at gunpoint

WARREN – A city man reported being robbed at gunpoint Tuesday night in the 1400 block of Kenilworth Avenue S.E. while walking to the store.

Charles Long, 27, of Kenilworth Avenue S.E., told police said he was walking north around 11:45 p.m. when a male with a black hoodie came from behind him and pointed a gun, according to a Warren police report. He told police he tried to run, but the assailant stuck the handgun into his chest, reached into Long’s pockets and took his money, the report states.

The gunman ran toward Youngstown Road, the report states. He was was described as wearing dark jeans and a dark T-shirt, with a black and white bandanna covering his face.

Warren man indicted on child porn charges

WARREN – A Trumbull County grand jury handed up indictments Wednesday morning on 15 felony counts of pandering sexually oriented matter involving a minor against Eric W. Filicky, 26, of Scott Street, Hubbard.

Last month, the Ohio Bureau of Criminal Investigations, assisted by Hubbard police and the Trumbull County Child Pornography Task Force, arrested Filicky after Trumbull County prosecutors filed charges of pandering sexual materials.

Investigators raided the house where he was staying on July 21 and confiscated electronic devices, including telephones, flash drives and other equipment.

Painesville man listed as Fugitive of the Week

The Northern Ohio Violent Fugitive Task Force is offering a reward for information which would lead to the capture of fugitive Walter ”Pookie” Tate, who is listed as the Fugitive of the Week.

Tate is wanted by the U.S. Marshals and the Painesville Police Department in connection to a homicide. He is accused of shooting James Brown, a family member, on July 4 after an argument at a family party.

Tate is described as a 37-year-old black man standing approximately 6-foot-1 and weighing 190 pounds. He has black hair and brown eyes. Tate has ties to Painesville, Cleveland and Detroit. He also has a previous address near the 20500 block of Sunset Drive in Warrensville Heights.

Anyone with information should contact the Northern Ohio Violent Fugitive Task Force at 1-866-4WANTED or Text keyword WANTED and tip to 847411 (tip411). Tipsters can remain anonymous and reward money is available.

Child falls off slide at Mosquito Lake park

BAZETTA – A toddler was transported Wednesday to St. Joseph Health Center after falling off of a sliding board at Mosquito Lake State Park. The 2-year-old boy was listed as breathing but unresponsive when emergency crews arrived just before 5:30 p.m., according to reports.

The Ohio Department of Natural Resources, which oversees the park, also responded. An ODNR spokeswoman said the incident occurred on the beach, but no other information was available.

The child’s condition was not released as of late Wednesday. The identity of the child and family also were not released.

Police kill rifle-wielding man at Ohio Wal-Mart

BEAVERCREEK – A man in a southwest Ohio WalMart store waved a rifle at customers, including children, and was fatally shot by police when he wouldn’t drop the weapon, according to police and a recorded 911 call from a witness.

Authorities say a customer also died after suffering a medical problem during the evacuation of the store Tuesday. Police identified her as Angela Williams, 37, of Fairborn.

Police identified the man shot Tuesday night at a WalMart in the Dayton suburb of Beavercreek as 22-year-old John Crawford of Cincinnati. He died at a hospital.

Staff, wire reports

Local News

At a glance

Agency to offer child support amnesty plan

WARREN – Trumbull County Child Support Enforcement Agency (CSEA) is offering license reinstatement and contempt warrant amnesty through the end of August.

Men and women whose license has been suspended can request for it to be reinstated in exchange for paying one month of their obligation, plus $1 on their debt. Those with contempt warrants for failing to appear at a child support hearing or not reporting to jail to serve their child support-related sentence may have their warrant withdrawn under the same arrangement.

For more information on the amnesty programs, call CSEA at 330-675-2732.

Fran DeWine in town to campaign today

WARREN – Fran DeWine, wife of Republican Ohio Attorney General Mike DeWine, will be at the Warren Women’s Club, 708 N. Park Ave., at 2 p.m. today to campaign for her husband’s re-election.

Mike DeWine, seeking a second term, is being challenged by Democrat David Pepper, a former councilman in Cincinnati and commissioner of Hamilton County.

Eastern Gateway has 48th lowest net price

STEUBENVILLE – Eastern Gateway Community College has been ranked the 48th-lowest for net price of attendance in the United States.

The net price of the college is $3,360 as compared with the national average of $7,160 among the 1,200 public, two-year higher education institutions, according to the U.S. Department of Education National Center for Education Statistics data report.

The net price is calculated after scholarships and grant aid are applied and considers in-state, in-district students.

The report also stated EGCC’s net price is the second-lowest among two-year colleges in Ohio and lowest in its service district and the surrounding area.

Eastern Gateway has centers in Warren and Youngstown.

Mathews BOE to meet about sewer project

VIENNA – The Mathews Board of Education will hold a special meeting at 5 p.m. Thursday at the Baker Elementary library to discuss the potential impact of the sewer construction project on district operations and other matters. Action may be taken.

Man, 90, gets 4 years in wife’s ‘mercy’ killing

ELYRIA – A 90-year-old Avon man has been sentenced to four years in prison for killing his wife of 65 years – but he could be released after serving six months.

Robert Shaw was originally charged with aggravated murder for smothering his 84-year-old wife, Virginia, in November 2008. He pleaded guilty to involuntary manslaughter in June as part of a plea deal.

Shaw’s daughter thanked prosecutors and the Lorain County judge during a hearing Monday for how they treated their father.

Shaw’s attorney had said his client killed his sick wife to end her suffering caused by medical problems. The attorney said Monday his client accepts responsibilities for his actions and is at peace with the sentence.

Staff, wire reports

Local News

At a glance

Probation revoked for Howland man

WARREN – A 20-year-old Howland man was sentenced to three years in prison Monday after he was found guilty of a probation violation after avoiding a prison term in May.

Jesse Lee Ellsworth of Bayberry N.E. was sentenced in May by Trumbull County Common Pleas Judge Peter Kontos to complete a program at Northeast Ohio Community Alternative Program (NEOCAP), but was aggressive toward staff members and other clients in the program, thus not completing the program, according to a probation officer.

He was convicted of receiving stolen property and burglarizing the home of attorney Ned Gold on Bayberry, who spoke on behalf of Ellsworth, a neighbor.

Young boy reports sex assault by teen

WARREN – A city teen accused of sexually assaulting a 4-year-old boy is facing a felony rape charge.

The 4-year-old, also a Warren resident, reported last Friday that he was assaulted by the 15-year-old boy sometime after July 1, according to a Warren police report.

The teen was taken into police custody and booked into the Trumbull County Juvenile Justice Center, the report states.

No other information was provided.

Police: Man hits Lowe’s employee, steals tools

WARREN – A man who stole power tools from a home improvement store hit an employee who met him at the door as he was leaving, police said.

Police received a complaint on Friday from a loss prevention manager at Lowe’s, 940 Niles Cortland Road S.E., Warren. The manager reported that a white male wearing a green jacket, blue jeans and red shirt came into the business about 6 p.m. Thursday and grabbed $249 in power tools, according to a Warren police report. The man hit the female employee before running from the store and getting into a white truck, reports state.

The police report indicates that the incident was recorded on the store’s video surveillance camera.

YSU to hold installation for Tressel on Aug. 18

The ninth president of Youngstown State University will be installed during a ceremony at 2 p.m. Aug. 18 in the Beeghly Center on campus.

James P. Tressel will give an address as well as the oath of office during the event, which is open to the public. Free parking will also be available. A reception will follow the installation ceremony.

The ceremony will be streamed live at www.horizonleague.org/live/11613.

Warren streets to close for Italian Festival

WARREN – Several streets in downtown Warren will be closed Wednesday through 9 a.m. Monday for the Italian American Festival.

Roads closed during the festival are West Market Street from North Park Avenue to Main Street, Mahoning Avenue from High Street and Market Street, High Street from Mahoning Avenue to North Park and Harmon Avenue.

Ohio may establish its own poet laureate

COLUMBUS – Ohio is one of six states that don’t have an official state poet – but a bill in the Ohio Legislature could change that.

A bill that has passed the Senate would create the position of Ohio poet laureate.

Chiquita Mullins Lee, a program coordinator with the Ohio Arts Council, told The Columbus Dispatch that popular music has helped create awareness about the powerful art of poetry. That makes the establishment of the Ohio position timely.

The bill says qualifications for the job would include “proven history in poetry that includes works published in books, anthologies, literary journals, or magazines …”

While 44 states have an official poet, the role is a more recent trend, with many states establishing it only within the past 20 years.

Staff, wire reports

Local News

At A Glance

Howland to meet

on annexation

HOWLAND – Howland Township trustees will hold a special meeting at 5 p.m. Tuesday at the township administration building for the purpose of approving an annexation agreement between the township and the city of Niles.

Bristol Library

Board to meet today

BRISTOL – The Bristol Public Library Board of Trustees will hold its regular meeting at 9 a.m. today at the library.

Hubbard to hold National Night Out

HUBBARD – Hubbard Township and Hubbard City police departments will join together for the annual National Night Out from 3 to 8 p.m. Tuesday at the Kyle Pavilion at Harding Park off Roosevelt Drive.

This is the fifth year that Hubbard has participated in the annual event, which focuses on educating the public on crime and drug prevention. The public can meet safety forces.

The event will include a car show, softball game between the township and city, food and a chance to meet the Hubbard varsity football team.

The annual Night Out began 31 years ago and has been held nationwide the first Tuesday in August.

For information, call 330-534-8477, Ext. 352.

Drug charges filed against liquor permits

COLUMBUS – State investigators filed more than 200 drug-related administrative charges against liquor permits in Ohio last year.

The Ohio Investigative Unit says its agents filed 267 administrative charges against liquor permits for drug use, possession, sales and sales or possession of drug paraphernalia in 2013.

The state agency enforces Ohio’s liquor laws and says allowing or even participating in illegal drug activity violates liquor permits.

Administrative charges are presented to the Ohio Liquor Control Commission. That group has the authority to issue penalties such as fines, suspensions or revocation of liquor permits.

Village attempts to downsize council

ROGERS – Village Council will have to wait until next year to seek voter permission to downsize.

Council was scheduled to meet in special session to consider placing a ballot issue before voters in the Nov. 4 election that, if approved, would allow the size of council to be reduced from six members to five.

That meeting was canceled after village Fiscal Officer Dale Davis told Mayor Sandy Chambers that it appeared the issue can only be placed before voters during years when elected village positions are on the ballot. The next election involving Rogers council members is November 2015.

Davis learned this after sending a draft of the proposed resolution to Adam Booth, county elections board director, who said village official races only occur in odd-numbered years.

“You can’t do it in an even year. You have to do it at a time when you are holding municipal elections, and this is not the year for municipal elections,” Booth said. “They can do it (downsize) and it’s legitimate. They just have to wait to put it on the ballot.”

The village of 235 has been having problems for years finding enough people willing to serve on council, let alone run for mayor, and it was only recently they found a fifth person willing to serve.

They decided to pursue the downsizing option after being unable to find anyone in the village over the past six months interested in taking the vacant sixth council position.

Staff, wire reports

Local News

At a glance

Three already in race for state schools seat

Three people, so far, are running for a seat on the State Board of Education in District 7, a six-county region that includes all of Trumbull County.

Up for the nonpartisan seat are Michael Charney of North Kingsville, Sarah E. Fowler of Rock Creek, who was elected to the seat in 2012 to fill an unexpired term, and David A. Spencer of Kent.

The district also includes all of Ashtabula, Geauga and Portage counties and portions of Lake and Summit counties. The 19-member board that has 11 district representatives and eight at-large representatives creates policy and makes recommendations for kindergarten through 12th grade education in Ohio. The deadline to file to run is Aug. 6.

Warren man charged with rape of boy, 13

WARREN – A city man charged with the rape of a 13-year-old boy was being held at the Trumbull County Jail in lieu of $100,000 after his arraignment on Friday.

Gary S. Kachenko, 56, of 626 Phillips Drive S.W., who was arraigned in Warren Municipal Court, is due back in municipal court next Thursday for a preliminary hearing.

Details about the case are sketchy. However, a Warren police report indicates that the investigation was initiated July 21 when officers were called to Kachenko’s home, where they received a complaint “about a possible assault on a minor” at a nearby residence.

Court records list July 20 as the date the offense allegedly occurred.

Resurfacing plans made for West Market Street

WARREN – This time next year, work will be under way to improve one of the main roads that heads into and out of Warren.

The city intends to begin work to resurface about 2.5 miles of West Market Street between Lovers Lane and Main Street in July 2015. The project includes planning, asphalt resurfacing, as-needed concrete repairs, curb ramps that are compliant with the Americans with Disabilities Act and new markings and signs.

It’s estimated to cost about $1.4 million with federal funds covering 80 percent.

Questions or comments can be submitted through Aug. 29 to Paul Makosky, director of Warren’s Engineering, Planning and Building Department, 540 Laird Ave. S.E. or by phone at 330-841-2973.

U.S. senator to headline Democratic fundraiser

CANFIELD – U.S. Sen. Cory Booker, D-New Jersey, will headline the 2014 Mahoning County Democratic Party chairman’s dinner Aug. 22 in Canfield.

Anyone interested in attending may contact party treasurer Ric Clautti at 330-502-2997, online at www.mahoningcountydems.org or on the party’s Facebook page. Tickets for the event that will run from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. cost $500 a piece.

Booker, elected to the Senate in 2013, previously served as Mayor of Newark, N.J.

Turnpike director to lead Health Department

COLUMBUS – Ohio Gov. John Kasich has tapped the state’s turnpike commission director to lead the Department of Health.

Kasich says Rick Hodges, a former state lawmaker with experience as a health care manager, has proven management ability to lead the department.

Kasich also named public health clinician Dr. Mary Applegate as the agency’s interim medical director and said she’ll support Hodges by focusing on medical issues.

Kasich says Hodges successfully changed turnpike operations to cut costs and led a new bonding effort to help improve Ohio roads linking to the turnpike.

The state’s former health director, Dr. Theodore Wymyslo, joined a trade association representing community health centers after stepping down in February.

Staff, wire reports

Local News

At a glance

Hearing set for man in arson case

AUSTINTOWN – A preliminary hearing for a man accused of setting fire to his ex-girlfriend’s home has been set for next Wednesday.

John Petroff, 41, of Youngstown, is charged with five counts of aggravated arson. He is being held at the Mahoning County Jail in lieu of $250,000 bond.

Petroff is accused of setting fire to the woman’s Navarre Avenue home, the garage and a truck, reports state.

The woman, who had a restraining order against Petroff at the time, told police that her dogs alerted her to the fire just after midnight Wednesday.

A neighbor told police that he saw Petroff running away and that his clothes were on fire. The neighbor chased Petroff to the back of a house on Potomac Avenue, where police arrested him.

Warren to conduct hydrant flushing

WARREN – The city of Warren Water Department will conduct fire hydrant flushing in the city’s southeast section from 7 a.m. to 3 p.m. Monday to Friday starting Monday.

Utility Services Director Robert Davis said tap water may be discolored, but the water is safe to drink. Water customers are advised to run faucets before using them or doing laundry.

Davis said the flushing of the hydrants is mandated by the Ohio Environmental Protection Agency.

TNP extends mural deadline

WARREN – Trumbull Neighborhood Partnership, of TNP, is extending the deadline for artists to submit sketches for a public mural to 10 a.m. Monday

The chosen artist will be given $6,000 to paint the mural on a wall at the site of the former Mahoningside Power Plant on Summit Street N.W. The wall is 11 feet tall and 100 feet long.

For more details, call TNP at 330-599-9275 or email at matt@tnpwarren.org.

Fire crews called to Amish business

MESOPOTAMIA – Fire crews from several area departments were called to Custom Pallet Manufacturing Thursday morning to extinguish a fire at the Amish-owned building.

Reports state that a sawdust bin caught fire just after 9 a.m., destroying the bin at the North Girdle Road business.

The fire was contained within the hour and no injuries were reported.

Pot on stove cause of Warren fire

WARREN – Fire officials have confirmed that the Wednesday night fire at a duplex at 317 Parkman Road N.W. was caused by a pot on the stove in the kitchen of the upstairs apartment.

Warren fire Chief Ken Nussle said the blaze caused significant damage to the upstairs, especially the kitchen area.

Four occupants upstairs, including a 6-month-old girl, and one resident downstairs escaped and were out of the structure before emergency crews arrived around 7:30 p.m. Two people suffered minor injuries but did not seek medical attention.

Damage is estimated to be about $20,000 to the structure and $10,000 to the contents. The listed owner is Patty Helmick, according to the Trumbull County Auditor’s Office.

Tribune Chronicle