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Support enforcement agency offers ‘Deals’

YOUNGSTOWN – Mahoning County Child Support Enforcement Agency is offering parents who are behind on child support the chance to reinstate their suspended driver’s licenses for a one-month payment plus one dollar on arrears. If unemployed, the parent also must agree to seek employment.

Dubbed ”Deals for Your Wheels,” the program runs Monday to April 30.

Absent parents with a suspended license who wish to participate can visit the agency, 345 Oak Hill Ave., between 8 a.m. and 4 p.m. and speak to a license suspension case manager.

If requirements are met, the CSEA will provide the required reinstatement form to the BMV Regional Reintstatement Center.

For more information, call 330-740-2073.

Warren man arrested on theft charge

WARREN – A Warren man was arrested Friday on claims he stole a woman’s purse outside Trumbull Memorial Hospital.

Matthew Bohyer, 34, is facing theft and robbery charges after he was chased down by hospital security guards.

According to police, the man threw a 62-year-old woman to the ground and fled with her purse in the East Market Street hospital’s parking lot. Guards caught the man and held him until police arrived.

Bohyer is being held at Trumbull County Jail.

OSP identifies fatal crash victim

ANDOVER – The Ohio State Highway Patrol is investigating a single-vehicle crash that left a township woman dead on Thursday.

Julie A. Wilson, 58, of Andover, was killed just before 6 p.m. when her vehicle went off the west side of Stanhope-Kelloggsville Road, went airborne and landed on its roof in a wooded area adjacent to a small creek, the patrol reported.

Troopers said no other vehicles were involved and Wilson, who was pronounced dead at the scene, was alone in her vehicle. The road was closed for several hours.

Preliminary results from an autopsy done Friday showed Wilson died from blunt trauma to the head, trunk and extremities, according to the Ashtabula County Coroner’s Office. Toxicology results are pending.

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Cops find 15 bags of crack

YOUNGSTOWN – Police found 15 bags of crack cocaine inside a car after a traffic stop just after noon Wednesday on the East Side.

Henry L. Wylie, 44, was booked into the Mahoning County Jail on drug charges after he was pulled over for speeding on the Himrod Avenue Expressway near Albert Street by a K-9 unit on a traffic detail.

Reports state Wylie could be seen fidgeting in the front seat as the officer pulled him over. When he was questioned, an officer saw a bulge in his sweat pants and asked what it was, and Wylie pulled out 13 bags of crack cocaine, police said. An additional two bags were found on the floor of the car, reports state.

There were three passengers in the car, but they were not arrested or charged, according to reports.

Donations distributed in teens’ fatal crash

WARREN – The Gifts for Our Children fund at Huntington Bank raised $48,660 for the funeral expenses of the six teenagers killed in a March 10 single-car accident.

Warren Council President Bob Dean said the money was used to pay for every funeral, each of the headstones and vaults, as well as providing $500 for each of the churches where services were held.

The bank account is expected to remain open for 30 more days.

Dean said the committee of church leaders want to get the message out to area families to get insurance policies for their loved ones.

“We have a very loving and generous community, but it does not have deep pockets,” he said. “People cannot depend on this kind of response after every incidence.”

Fire destroys vacant Youngstown home

YOUNGSTOWN – A vacant 272 E. Avondale Ave. home on the South Side was destroyed by a fire about 4:55 p.m. Wednesday.

Crews called to the home found heavy smoke coming from the second floor and the eaves of the roof, reports state.

A back door was found open by firefighters, reports state. Damage is listed at $10,500. No one was injured.

Mayoral candidates to meet in forum

YOUNGSTOWN – Candidates for Youngstown mayor will appear at a ”forum-style” event put on the Regional Chamber April 5 at the Our Lady of Mount Carmel banquet hall, 343 Via Mount Carmel Ave.

Jamael Tito Brown, president of Youngstown City Council, and John McNally, former Mahoning County commissioner will attend. A third candidate on the Democrat primary election ballot, Matthew Smith, has been invited but had not yet confirmed.

The candidates will make brief statements, answer questions by a moderator and, if time allows, answer questions from the audience. The event, beginning at 7:30 a.m., is open to the public. The cost is $30 for chamber members and $40 for nonmembers.

Advanced registration is March 29. To register, call 330-744-2131, Ext. 12; email jennifer@regional

chamber.com; or online at www.regionalchamber.com and click on “upcoming events.”

Search for YSU president continues

YOUNGSTOWN – A committee appointed to search for the new YSU president has begun reviewing applications for the position.

The Youngstown State University Presidential Search Advisory Committee, which was appointed in January to locate a successor to YSU president Cynthia E. Anderson, met Wednesday afternoon to begin the search. Anderson will retire July 1 after three years in office. AGB Search Inc. in Washington is assisting with the national search process.

Three to five candidates will be presented to the Board of Trustees by May 15 for consideration. Trustees hope to select the next president no later than the June 12 board meeting.

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Vehicle engulfed in flames after fatal crash

ELLSWORTH – One person was killed after his vehicle crashed into another and caught fire on U.S. Route 224 about 8:40 a.m. Monday.

The Ohio State Highway Patrol had not yet released the name of the deceased.

He was driving a 2004 Nissan Xterra west on Route 224 when he lost control on the ice and slushy roads, went left of center and collided with an eastbound 2011 Ford Super Duty pickup driven by Jeffrey Huss of Sugarcreek, according to the patrol.

Both vehicles went off the south side of the roadway into the ditch. They then caught fire, and the Xterra became engulfed in flames.

Huss was taken to St. Elizabeth Health Center with non-life-threatening injuries. The other driver was pronounced dead at the scene by the Mahoning County Coroner’s Office.

The Ohio Department of Transportation said the portion of the highway was re-opened at noon.

The Ohio State Highway Patrol Canfield Post is investigating the accident. Sgt. Bret Henderson, who is handling the investigation, said the post received numerous calls Monday for crashes and cars sliding off the road.

Warren store clerk reports assault

WARREN – An employee inside the Hair Depot said she was assaulted Saturday afternoon by an irate customer who wanted to return a product.

According to police reports, officers were called to the business at 4443 Youngstown Road S.E. after a couple went into the store shortly after 4 p.m. The male and female customers became angry when they were asked for a receipt for the item they were returning.

The female then pushed several displays to the floor and damaged several shelves holding other products.

When a female employee followed the woman to the front door, she said she was hit in the head by the irate customer, who left with the man in a 2001 Chevrolet Impala.

Bristolville couple win $5,000 for nonprofits

CORTLAND – James and Connie Pierce of Bristolville were selected as winners in America’s Farmers Grow Communities, sponsored by the Monsanto Fund.

A check presentation was held Monday at the Trumbull County Agriculture and Education Center in Cortland to the Pierces, who are farmers.

The Pierces said they plan to distribute two $2,500 donations to nonprofit organizations. They selected the Trumbull County 4-H Advisory Committee and Warren Family Mission.

Grow Communities gives farmers the opportunity to win a $2,500 donation for a local nonprofit organization. Trumbull was among counties that the U.S. Department of Agriculture declared disaster areas due to drought, which means winning farmers can double the donation.

Fugitive from Texas caught, escapes, caught

WARREN – A Bristolville woman was being held as a fugitive for authorities in Texas and on possible charges that she broke into a home near Trumbull Memorial Hospital after escaping from the facility Friday.

According to police reports, officers arrested Katherine R. Cox, 28, state Route 45, as a fugitive for police in Galveston, Texas, about 3:30 p.m. Friday. When officers here took her to Trumbull County Jail, she was turned away due to illness.

Officers then took her to Trumbull Memorial Hospital, from where she slipped away about two hours later. Officers said she was found soon under a bed in the basement of a home on Woodbine S.E., which was entered through an unlocked rear door.

Police did not say why she was wanted in Galveston.

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Warren man struck, killed in Weathersfield

WEATHERSFIELD – A 41-year-old Warren man was killed early Thursday morning when he was struck by a van on U.S. Route 422.

Pronounced dead at the scene was Byron R. Thompson, who was walking along U.S. Route 422 near the Wabash Avenue intersection about 3:54 a.m.

Ohio State Highway Patrol troopers said Thompson stepped into the path of a minivan driven by Phillip Hill Jr., 48, of Barberton.

Troopers are continuing to investigate the accident.

Ryan to answer today on run for governor

U.S. Rep. Timothy J. Ryan, D-Niles, is expected to announce today whether he will run for Ohio governor, according to WYTV 33 News.

Ryan will appear at a Democratic party event in Columbus tonight and he is expected to make an announcement on his future before he arrives in the state capital, 33 News reported.

Speculation has been growing for months on whether Ryan will run for governor in 2014. So far, he hasn’t said.

Man shot in the leg

in Youngstown home

YOUNGSTOWN – A Logan Avenue man was found shot in the leg early Thursday morning at a 2630 Tyrell Ave. apartment on the West Side.

Police were called to the apartment about 1:50 a.m. and found Albert Coffer, 24, inside bleeding from a gunshot wound to his leg.

Coffer told police he did not see who shot him. A man inside the apartment said he heard a gunshot outside but did not know where exactly.

Reports state officers found powder burns on Coffer’s pants, and a cell phone in his pocket was shattered by a bullet. He was taken to St. Elizabeth Health Center.

AMBER Alert group addresses recent tone

COLUMBUS – During the most recent AMBER Alert, many Ohioans received an early morning message to their cell phone with a loud audible tone, according to the Ohio State Highway Patrol.

Due to feedback received from cell users, the Ohio AMBER Alert Steering Committee is temporarily limiting AMBER Alerts sent to cell phones between 6 a.m. and midnight.

The recent alert was issued after 16-year-old Shaina Nicole Tenney and her 7-month-old daughter, Grace Hope Tenney, went missing from a residence in Rock Cave, Upshur County, W.Va.

The alert was canceled after 57-year-old Margel Tenney, Shaina’s stepfather, was arrested Wednesday morning on Interstate 79 in Lewis County, W.Va. It was believed for a time that they were heading south on Route 7 in Hubbard.

A permanent schedule will be put in place and cellular phone users who wish to opt-out of the program can contact their service provider, according to the patrol.

Feds to investigate police’s use of force

TOLEDO – The U.S. Justice Department said Thursday it will open a wide-ranging civil rights investigation into the use of force by Cleveland’s police department, whose officers fired 137 shots at the end of a massive police chase last fall, killing two likely unarmed people.

Assistant Attorney General Thomas Perez said the investigation will look beyond the November car chase that involved more than 60 patrol cars and ended in the shootings of Timothy Russell, 43, and his 30-year-old passenger, Malissa Williams.

Perez said the probe will not be a criminal investigation; its focus is the entire department, not individual officers. It will analyze several years of excessive force claims as well as police policies, training and procedures, he said.

Russell and Williams were each shot more than 20 times. Some officers thought they were armed, but no weapon or shell casings were found.

Staff, wire reports

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Man said he was robbed at gunpoint

YOUNGSTOWN – A man claims he was robbed at gunpoint on Sunday by a woman he knows.

Rebecca Kirkland, 42, is wanted by police on charges of aggravated robbery after she allegedly robbed a passenger in her car of his wallet.

The victim told police Kirkland was giving him a ride home from work when an argument broke out about 7:45 p.m. in the area of McGuffey Road and Cassius Avenue. Kirkland then grabbed the victim’s wallet and pointed an unknown type of handgun at him, ordering him out of the vehicle.

The victim reported his wallet contained $480 in cash, along with identification and a credit card.

No one was injured in the incident. Youngstown police are investigating.

JFK to host annual State of the School

WARREN – Several announcements about additions to the John F. Kennedy Catholic Schools educational and athletic programming will be announced at 6 p.m. Wednesday during the annual ”State of the School” address to be held at the school, 2550 Central Parkway S.E.

Jillian Phillips, director of communications and advancement at JFK, said the event will highlight students from both JFK Upper and Lower campuses.

Families of students in the district have been asked to attend to hear what is being planned for the 2013-14 school year.

Tickets available for Community Star event

WARREN – Tickets are available for the 2013 Community Star banquet.

Open to the public, the March 19 event will be held at W.D. Packard Music Hall, Mahoning Avenue N.W.

Now in its 12th year, the program celebrates the volunteers who have had a significant influence on Trumbull County, be it through tireless hours of service, random acts of kindness or a single moment of courage.

The nine Community Stars also will be recognized in a special section published in the newspaper the following day.

Tickets are $20 and the deadline to purchase them is 5 p.m. Thursday. To purchase a ticket, call Sue Shafer at 330-841-1696; stop by the Tribune at 240 Franklin St. S.E., Warren, OH 44483; or mail in the ad that is running in the newspaper.

New study on drilling and rivers, streams

PITTSBURGH – A new scientific study on natural gas drilling and Pennsylvania waterways has found that old-fashioned erosion, not toxic chemical spills, appears to be more of a cause for concern.

The peer-reviewed study published Monday took a statewide look at surface water impacts from the drilling boom. It found some good news and some reasons for concern.

Lead author Sheila Olmstead says the research didn’t find evidence of significant chemical spills from drill sites, but did note a 5 percent increase in suspended solids in downstream waterways. It also found a 10 percent increase in chloride levels downstream from plants that handle drilling wastewater.

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Company issues pasta sauce recall

BOARDMAN – Summer Garden Food Manufacturing is recalling about 25,000 pounds of Giant Eagle Market District Bolognese pasta sauce because of undeclared allergens and misbranding.

The products contain soy, wheat and MSG that are not declared on the label. Soy and wheat are known allergens.

The recall applies to 24-ounce jars of the sauce bearing the establishment number “EST. 34795” inside the USDA mark of inspection and bearing “Best By 12/05/2014 or 02/06/2015” on the lid, according to information released by the U.S. Department of Agriculture.

The products were produced on Dec. 5, 2012, and Feb. 6, 2013, and shipped to distributors in Ohio and Pennsylvania for further retail sales.

The problem was discovered by the company during a quality control label review. The company has received no reports of adverse reactions due to consumption of these products.

Albert Street building burns

YOUNGSTOWN – Firefighters allowed an abandoned Albert Street bar to burn to the ground early Thursday morning.

Crews were called to 925 Albert St., site of the former Golden Harvest, about 12:35 a.m. and found the bar engulfed in flames, reports state.

The fire was heaviest in the back of the building, reports state. Damage was listed at $5,500. A cause is under investigation and there were no injuries.

Student found with loaded gun

CANFIELD – An 18-year-old student is facing charges of having a loaded handgun in his car.

Joseph Bailey of North Jackson, a student of Mahoning County Career and Technical Center, faces a fifth-degree felony charge of illegally conveying a dangerous weapon – a .22-caliber revolver – into a school safety zone, according to newspartner WYTV 33 News.

Reports state that officers searched his car after another student reported Bailey showed them the gun on Tuesday. Officers found the loaded gun, which had a working hammer but no trigger.

Bailey is scheduled to be arraigned today in Mahoning County Canfield Area Court.

Former booster chief sentenced

WARREN – The former head of the Niles Frontliners Club was ordered to write a letter of apology to the organization as he was sentenced Thursday for embezzling more than $20,000 from the club.

James A. Mullen III, 47, 2165 Coates Court, Girard, was told by Judge Ronald Rice that he was not allowed to handle anybody else’s money while he served five years of probation.

Mullen pleaded guilty Jan. 24 to a fifth-degree felony for the theft of $22,090 from the booster organization.

He admitted taking money from the Frontliners Club, which is a booster organization for the Niles Red Dragons Football Team. Mullen wrote several checks payable to cash and made three electronic transfers between May 31 and July 23, 2012.

Mullen earlier made full restitution to the organization, prosecutors said.

Workshop to highlight internship

BOARDMAN – An information session and workshop today will highlight a new internship / co-op program at Youngstown State University and Eastern Gateway Community College.

The Regional Chamber will host the information session and workshop from 8 a.m. to noon today at the Holiday Inn in Boardman.

The internship involves the fields of science, technology, engineering, math and business administration.

Another information session will be held March 15 at Leo’s Ristorante in Howland.

Water bill help for Pa. families

Aqua Pennsylvania, Inc. is reminding customers that its Helping Hand assistance program is available to low-income families who need help paying their water bills.

Aqua water customers will get an insert explaining details of the program with their March bills.

The Helping Hand program is multi-faceted, offering customers a payment plan to pay down arrears and ensure their water isn’t turned off; an opportunity for customers who make payments on time to earn a monthly credit toward their arrears; and a conservation kit to help customers curb usage and therefore, reduce their bills.

Interested customers can call Aqua at 877-987-2782 to find out if they qualify for Helping Hand.

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Teachers postpone vote on tentative contract

AUSTINTOWN – The Austintown teachers’ union temporarily postponed a vote on Tuesday night on a tentative contract agreement between the teachers and administration. The teachers are awaiting a portion of the contract to be approved by the union’s lawyer, according to WYTV 33 News.

The union represents 315 teachers, nurses, guidance counselors, librarians and speech therapists. It has been working under an expired contract since August.

Union membership had authorized a 10-day intent to strike notice two weeks ago, prior to the two sides agreeing on the tentative deal.

Union president Barb Tomic said no details would be released about the tentative agreement until it has been presented to the union, which she said will likely be early next week.

Seating issue could delay racino project

AUSTINTOWN – Plans by Penn National Gaming to build a horse racing track and slots casino may be delayed over a seating dispute, according to WYTV 33 News.

A meeting is planned for next week between members of the Ohio State Racing Commission and executives of Penn National to discuss the company’s plans for the proposed site at the Centerpointe Development off state Route 46.

Mark Munroe, a local member of the Ohio State Racing Commission, said Penn National reportedly wants only 220 seats in the grandstands for the thoroughbred track and fewer than 400 overall. The racing commission thinks ”somewhere between 220 and 5,000 is the right number,” Munroe told 33 News.

Austintown Trustee Jim Davis said Penn National’s plans allow for additional grandstand seating as well as stables and dorms for horses and riders if needed.

Internet cafe backers testify at Statehouse

COLUMBUS – Ohio Internet cafe owners and employees are fighting legislation they say would effectively put the operations out of business.

Supporters packed a Statehouse hearing room Tuesday to register opposition to a proposal to impose new regulations on more than 820 storefront sweepstakes operations doing business in Ohio. Some wore matching T-shirts reading “Save My Job.”

A newspaper investigation found most Internet cafes filed incomplete state paperwork and most operators who can be identified have spotty financial backgrounds or criminal histories.

Marvin L. Carrel Jr., a cafe manager from Ashville, got emotional when asking lawmakers not to punish him and his employees for a few bad actors in the business.

Tickets available for Community Stars event

WARREN – Tickets are available for the 2013 Community Star banquet.

Open to the public, the March 19 event will be held at W.D. Packard Music Hall, Mahoning Avenue N.W.

Now in its 12th year, the program celebrates the volunteers who have had a significant influence on Trumbull County, be it through tireless hours of service, random acts of kindness or a single moment of courage.

The nine Community Stars also will be recognized in a special section published in the newspaper the following day.

Tickets are $20 and the deadline to purchase them is 5 p.m. March 14. To purchase a ticket, call Sue Shafer at 330-841-1696; stop by the Tribune at 240 Franklin St. S.E., Warren, OH 44483, or mail in the ad that is running in the newspaper.

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Fire chief fined, sentence suspended

GIRARD – Fire Chief Kenneth Bornemiss received a 30-day suspended jail sentence and a $750 fine, with $375 of that suspended, for a drunken-driving charge.

Girard Municipal Court Judge Jeffrey D. Adler found him guilty at a hearing on Wednesday after Bornemiss entered a no contest plea.

His sentence and fine are part of a plea agreement. He also was ordered to attend 72 hours of driver-safety courses.

Police said Bornemiss hit another vehicle Jan. 12 after he failed to stop at an intersection while driving his own car.

Gerberry reintroduces animal cruelty bill

State Rep. Ron Gerberry, D-Austintown, has reintroduced a bill that would increase criminal penalties for kennel owners, custodians or caretakers guilty of animal abuse.

It’s the third time Gerberry has introduced what’s become known as Nitro’s Law, named after an animal that died at a kennel in Youngstown in 2008.

It would give prosecutors the option of making animal abuse a fifth-degree felony.

Last year, an identical bill passed the Ohio House and the Senate’s Agriculture, Environment and Natural Resources Committee, but did not receive a full vote.

This version still must be assigned to a committee. House Majority Whip, Republican Cheryl Grossman of Grove City, also is sponsoring the bill.

County recorder

warns of high fees

WARREN – Trumbull County Recorder Diana Marchese is warning residents of a company from Columbus charging $89 for uncertified copies of property deeds.

Marchese said certified copies can be obtained through her office for $5 and uncertified copies can be printed from her website for free.

People who are unable to come into her office, 160 High St. N.W., can send a request, $5 check and self-addressed, stamped envelope.

Marchese said the request would be processed the day it’s received.

A certified copy is stamped and can be used as an original document.

Cops cite three

for underage sales

YOUNGSTOWN – Police and members of the Ohio Investigative Unit cited employees at three stores on Thursday for selling alcohol to minors.

Officers sent a 20-year-old confidential informant to three different stores, and in each store the informant was able to purchase alcohol, reports state.

Cited were Heshan Lawanseh, 35, at the Petra Food Mart, 2402 South Ave.; Julie D. Floyd, 33, at the Big Apple Super Market, 1108 McGuffey Road; and Andry Santana, 34, at the Foodway Super Market, 2047 Jacobs Road.

All were in Municipal Court Friday and are scheduled for preliminary hearings on Tuesday.

Youngstown promotes two firefighters

YOUNGSTOWN – Youngstown officials have approved the promotions of two firefighters to lieutenant. George Zordich and Justin Quarles were sworn in on Friday as lieutenants by Mayor Charles Sammarone.

Mathews BOE readies for negotiations

VIENNA – The Mathews Board of Education will hold a special meeting at 6 p.m. Sunday at the board offices in Vienna to prepare for, conduct and/or review negotiations or bargaining sessions with public employees.

Discussion includes compensation or other terms, and conditions of employment.

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Dead dogs found

on West Side

YOUNGSTOWN – Humane agents are investigating after a bag with five dead dogs was found underneath a West Side overpass Thursday afternoon.

Mahoning County Dog Warden Sean Toohey said someone called about the dogs, which were found under an Interstate 680 overpass. There were two adult dogs and three puppies inside the bag.

An assistant dog warden responded and then turned the case over to Animal Charity, which is handling the investigation of how the dogs died and how they got there, Toohey said.

Eastern Gateway reissued distinction

WARREN – Eastern Gateway Community College has been recertified as a Leader College.

The Leader College status, bestowed by the Achieving the Dream national reform network, is assigned to colleges that demonstrate continued commitment to the principles and values of ATD, including committed leadership, improvement of programs and services, broad engagement and systemic institutional improvement with a student-centered focus on equity and excellence.

EGCC was first certified as a Leader College in 2009, along with 20 other colleges nationwide.

Historic home damaged in fire

POLAND – A historic home was badly damaged in a fire on Thursday. The firefighting efforts backed up traffic as well.

The fire started about 3 p.m. at 323 S. Main St., where renovations had been under way. Five fire departments finally contained the blaze, but not before several pets were killed.

No one was home at the time of the fire, according to the Western Reserve Fire District.

While fire crews put out the fire, police shut down South Main Street, holding up traffic from U.S. Route 224 into Boardman.

The home, built in 1834, is expected to be salvaged despite the fire. The cause of the fire is unknown.

Submit your news for Woman magazine

If you have information that you would like included in Trumbull County Woman magazine, email your news to Beky Davis at bdavis@tribtoday.com. Information can also be submitted through the Virtual Newsroom at www.tribtoday.com.

The deadline for submissions is Monday. Trumbull County Woman will be published on March 15.

Kasich approval best since taking office

COLUMBUS – A new poll finds that Gov. John Kasich’s job approval rating is its highest since taking office two years ago.

It’s also the first time his approval rating has been above 50 percent.

The poll released Thursday by Quinnipiac University in Connecticut shows 53 percent of Ohioans give Kasich a passing grade while 32 percent disapprove of his performance.

Staff, wire reports