Harding quiz bowl team claims championship
The Warren G. Harding Quiz Bowl varsity team was crowned state champion this past weekend during a competition in Columbus.
The team is moving on to compete at the national tournament in Atlanta over Memorial Day weekend.
The competition is designed to promote academic excellence among participating Ohio high school students, and asks pyramidal questions from areas such as history, literature, science, fine arts, religion and mythology and mathematics in a toss-up, bonus format.
The Harding team competed in a field of 30 schools from around the state.
Jury could get murder case today
YOUNGSTOWN - The jury hearing the death penalty case of Kevin D. Agee could decide his fate as early as today.
Prosecutors wrapped up their case Monday in Mahoning County Common Pleas Court Judge Maureen Sweeney's courtroom.
A courtroom spokeswoman said attorneys will argue certain evidence between 8:30 and 10 a.m. today, followed by defense attorneys presenting their case, which is expected to consist of one witness.
Agee, 27, of Garfield Street, faces charges of aggravated murder and felonious assault and could receive the death penalty if convicted in the Sept. 25, 2010, murder of Thomas Repchic, 75, and the wounding of his wife, Jacqueline.
The Repchics were shot at as they drove in their car on Southern Boulevard and East Philadelphia Avenue.
Co-defendant Aubrey Toney, 31, is set to be tried in October.
Suspect in death deemed competent
WARREN - A Farmdale man who faces involuntary manslaughter charges in the shooting death of a friend last November was found competent and sane by a judge Monday.
Ryan Wrightsman, 21, 4413 state Route 87, Farmdale, also faces a possible suppression hearing April 23, his next court date. No trial date has been set.
Common Pleas Judge Peter Kontos relied on tests and findings of an expert who examined Wrightsman. The sanity test gauged his mindset at the time of the crime. The competency test gauged his ability to aid in his defense and comprehend the court process.
Wrightsman is accused of fatally shooting Joshua Soles, 20, 7480 state Route 7, at Soles' home where both men and a third friend were all intoxicated. The charge is a third-degree felony.
Youngstown man facing drug charges
HUBBARD TOWNSHIP - A Youngstown man who police say twice sold heroin to undercover narcotics officers faces felony charges.
Earl W. Whitlow, 26, 1085 Eastway Drive, entered no plea Friday at his arraignment in Girard Municipal Court on two fifth-degree felony trafficking in drugs charges. Judge Jeffrey Adler set bond at $10,000 and scheduled his preliminary hearing for April 30.
Whitlow was apprehended at the Eastwood Village Apartments about 1 p.m. March 27.
Southington boy, 12, could face charge
SOUTHINGTON - A 12-year-old Southington boy could face felonious assault charges after he allegedly bullied a 12-year-old Middlefield boy, then threatened him with a knife.
The Middlefield boy told Trumbull County Sheriff's deputies he was playing basketball with a 10-year-old when the Southington boy, and another boy took his basketball and refused to give it back. The Middlefield boy said he approached the Southington boy to get the ball back, and he pulled a knife out of his pocket, exposed the blade and told him to get back.
The Southington boy told police the same story, except he claimed the knife fell to the ground. He also said the Middlefield boy insulted him and that he owned several pocket knives.
The Southington boy's friend told deputies he saw his friend pull the knife out to threaten the Middlefield boy.