Farmdale woman dies
in two-vehicle crash
FARMINGTON - A Farmdale woman died from injuries she suffered during a Monday morning crash in Farmington at the intersection of state routes 88 and 534.
The Ohio State Highway Patrol reported that Gretchen Champiney-Welch, 51, of State Route 87, was unresponsive at the scene. She was taken by ambulance to Geauga Hospital, where she was pronounced dead.
According to reports, Champiney-Welch was traveling north on Route 534 just before 10:30 a.m. Troopers said she had driven from the stop sign when her 1998 Jeep Cherokee was struck on the left side by a 2007 Ford Explorer driven by William Hedrick, 85, North Park Avenue, Cortland, who was traveling east on Route 88.
Champiney-Welch's vehicle then went off the side of the road and hit a utility pole, troopers said.
According to reports, William Hedrick and a passenger in his vehicle, Ramona Hedrick, 82, also of North Park Avenue, Cortland, were transported by ambulance to St. Joseph Health Center in Warren. Troopers said that they each suffered minor injuries.
Troopers reported that both drivers and passenger were wearing seatbelts.
The crash is under investigation.
Hospital: Shooting
victim improving
The condition of a Warren man hospitalized after being shot in the face Wednesday has improved.
Craig Hoffman, 34, of Larchmont Avenue N.E., was in serious condition at MetroHealth Medical Center in Cleveland. However, a hospital spokeswoman said he was in good condition Monday.
Hoffman was shot about 7:50 p.m. at Benton Avenue S.E. and Draper Street S.E. and drove his pickup about 2 miles before he was spotted by Warren police on South Street S.E., according to reports. Police said Hoffman was trying to drive himself to Trumbull Memorial Hospital.
Hoffman was taken to Trumbull Memorial by ambulance, then transferred by helicopter to MetroHealth. Despite Hoffman's initial claims that he was shot during an attempted carjacking, police said they now believe the shooting was part of a drug deal that went bad.
Fire in Youngstown
displaces couple, dog
YOUNGSTOWN Officials are investigating a fire that forced a local couple out of their home early Monday morning, Tribune Chronicle news partner WYTV Channel 33 reported.
According to reports, fire crews were called to a home on North Lane about 1 a.m. after residents reported smoke and flames coming from the house.
A man, woman and dog all made it out of the house safely.
Crews contained the fire, but there appeared to be heat and smoke damage to the first floor. Damage estimates are between $8,000 to $10,000, according to reports.
The fire is under investigation.
EPA sets workshop
on blight cleanup
YOUNGSTOWN - The Ohio EPA is holding a free workshop to inform communities of the state and federal resources available to help redevelop blighted properties.
The workshop will be held from 9:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. Wednesday at the City One Center Building in Youngstown. Registration information is available at www.youngstown2012workshop-eorg.eventbrite.com.