West Side
home burns
to ground
YOUNGSTOWN - A vacant house at 107 Steel St. burned to the ground Friday evening, according to Fire Department reports.
Crews arriving about 10:30 p.m. found a heavy fire coming from the 2 1/2-story home. Firefighters that due to the advanced stage of the blaze, they took a defensive approach to protect property around it. The house collapsed about a half hour after the first crews arrived, reports state.
The cause is listed as arson, and there were no injuries. Damage is listed at $22,000.
Pharmacist charged in painkiller theft
NEWTON FALLS - A Rite Aid pharmacist in the city faces felony charges in connection to the alleged theft of prescription painkillers, police stated.
John Thomas, of 7443 Oakwood Drive in Brookfield, was charged with two fourth degree felonies of theft and possession of drugs. He was bonded out on a $5,000 surety bond, according to court staff and is awaiting his preliminary hearing on 11 a.m. July 9.
Police Chief John Kuivila said the arrest happened Thursday morning after a complaint by Rite Aid store security. Kuivila claimed that Thomas had "large quantities" of pills both in his possession and in his car.