Girls make amends

Girls make amends
BOARDMAN -- A township girl and her Warren friend received a stern lecture from police after they admitted throwing nails in the driveways of several homes on Milltrace Drive. A resident called police after finding roofing nails in his driveway at about 5 p.m. Wednesday.
Officers found the two girls, both 12 years old, at a Milltrace Drive address. Officers followed the girls from house to house as they apologized to homeowners and picked up the nails. No arrests were made, but both girls' parents said they would seek juvenile diversion programs.
Fire damages house
YOUNGSTOWN -- A house fire at 1637 Brownlee Ave. on the South Side at 1:41 p.m. Wednesday caused about $25,000 in loss to the two-story wooden structure, reports show. Unattended grease that ignited on an electric stove in the kitchen was listed as the cause. Battalion Chief Terry Jordan said one firefighter suffered heat exhaustion and another injured a shoulder. Both are fine now, he said.
Hospital traffic signal
YOUNGSTOWN -- A pedestrian-actuated traffic signal was turned on Wednesday at the crosswalk on Gypsy Lane outside Forum Health Northside Medical Center, more than 16 months after a hospital nurse walking across the street was struck by a hit-skip driver.
Patricia J. Adams, 51, of New Castle, an oncology nurse, suffered leg, hip and pelvis injuries when she was hit April 4, 2000. She is still recuperating, Forum Health officials said.
The crosswalk is used by hospital employees who park in lots across Gypsy Lane from the hospital. The crosswalk was previously marked with large overhead signs, twin overhead flashing yellow lights and painted pavement. The new traffic signal was installed after a traffic study was done by the city.
Decision on levies
CRAIG BEACH -- Village council will meet in emergency session at 7 p.m. today to vote on ordinances to place a 1.5-mill fire levy and a 1 percent income tax levy on the November ballot. The lawmakers voted 4-2 to approve the fire levy ordinance Monday as an emergency measure but there was dispute over whether it had passed by the required margin. Mayor Camillo C. Gaia III said Wednesday that it had not passed because the ordinance was improperly written. Dissenters had voted against the ordinance because, if passed, the village would be required to use Craig Beach fire service. Council had passed the income tax levy in May but residents petitioned for a referendum, requiring council to place the issue on the ballot.
Alliance's fund-raiser
WARREN -- Trumbull County Interdenominational Ministerial Alliance will hold its annual summer fund-raiser at 6 p.m. Friday at DiVieste Banquet Center on North River Road. The alliance is made up of clergy from area churches who work together to help solve problems in the community.
Donations in the amount of $50 will be accepted. Proceeds will go to the Alliance Community Outreach Program Inc. ACOP, on Niles Road, is a literacy and computer training program for adults and children.
Advance reservations are required as tickets will not be sold at the door. Reservations can be made by calling ACOP at (330) 369-1441.
Guest speaker will be The Rev. Dr. Timothy J. Clarke of Columbus. He is senior pastor at First Church of God in Columbus and formerly served as pastor of York Avenue Church of God in Warren.
Man thwarts robbers
STRUTHERS -- A 22-year-old Prospect Street man thwarted an attempted robbery on his home after he wrested a .22-caliber rifle away from his attacker around 9:24 p.m. Wednesday.
The victim said he answered a knock at the side door when an unidentified man shoved a rifle toward his mouth. The victim grabbed the rifle barrel and struggled with his attacker. During that time, a second unidentified suspect tried to enter the house. The victim said he was pushed down the steps and heard the gun go off. The victim grabbed the gun from his attacker and the suspects fled in what may have been a burgundy vehicle.
Police described one suspect as a skinny black male about 6 feet, 2 inches tall, wearing black shorts. The other suspect was described as a stocky black male about 5 feet, 9 inches tall, wearing a white shirt and blue shorts.