Body found on school grounds

CHAMPION - A Champion Local Schools employee discovered a body Thursday morning in an area behind the soccer field on the grounds of Champion Elementary School, police said.

Police Chief Chris Redick, who was the first officer on the scene, said the 27-year-old man apparently died of a gunshot wound to the chest. Police are not identifying the victim until family members are contracted.

Police believe the victim died sometime overnight.

The body was discovered after 8:30 a.m. Redick said he does not believe any children saw the body. School buses blocked the entrance and exits to keep students away from the scene.

Fire hits KraftMaid building Thursday

MIDDLEFIELD - A late night fire evacuated a KraftMaid plant on Thursday.

The fire began about 10:30 p.m. in the receiving dock area at the rear of plant 2 and was out by 11:15 p.m., a Middlefield police dispatcher said.

Cause of the fire and damages were unavailable late Thursday. Early, unconfirmed reports said flames were shooting through a roof.

The Mesopotamia Fire Department sent 10 volunteers with an engine and a tanker. It was the only Trumbull County department at the scene, according to the dispatcher.

Cortland man sentenced in sex case

JEFFERSON - Jeffrey Bickel, 26, a former Conneaut Middle School teacher who is from Cortland, pleaded guilty to sex charges involving a student.

Bickel was accused of having sexual contact with a 17-year-old student and sending nude photos of himself to the girl's cell phone, according to The Star Beacon.

He pleaded guilty last week to two counts of gross sexual imposition and one count of disseminating material harmful to a juvenile. The charges are fourth- and fifth-degree felonies, which carry sentences of 18 and six months respectively. Sentencing will be passed later. Bickel will be labeled a sex offender and will have to register his residence.

In exchange for his guilty plea, dismissed were five additional charges of sexual battery and one count of disseminating material that carried a possible sentence of 25 years.

Bickel was hired in 2008 as a middle school music teacher and an assistant marching band director. His contract was not renewed by Conneaut's Board of Education.

Autopsy report on cheerleader expected

YOUNGSTOWN - A 16-year-old cheerleader who died while warming up for practice Wednesday died on her birthday.

Junior Jabraya Howell collapsed at East High School and was taken to St. Elizabeth Health Center, where doctors were unable to revive her. An autopsy was to be performed Thursday afternoon, according to the Mahoning County Coroner's Office. Results were not yet available.

Grief counselors were made available Thursday for students who needed to talk. The entire school paused for a moment of silence.

Crystal Howell, the teen's mother, said the girl loved cheerleading and tumbling. A gathering was held at her home Thursday.

Difference Day shirts for sale at Tribune

WARREN - A limited supply of Make A Difference Day T-shirts are available in the Tribune Chronicle lobby.

Medium, large and extra-large shirts are available for $9, while larger sizes are available for $10. All of the T-shirts have short sleeves.

This year, the 19th annual Make A Difference Day is Saturday.