'Grandpa Bill' is bound over to jury

'Grandpa Bill' isbound over to jury
GIRARD -- A 71-year-old man known as "Grandpa Bill" has been bound over to the Trumbull County grand jury. William McCullough of Jones Court waived his right to a preliminary hearing Wednesday before municipal Judge Michael Bernard.
He remains in the county jail under $30,000 bond. Accused of inappropriate touching, he is charged with unlawful sexual conduct with a minor.
Police said McCullough became friends and gained the trust of six Youngstown families. They referred to him as "Grandpa Bill." He would take children ranging in age from age 7 to 13 from the families to his house or they would be dropped off.
Sobriety checkpoint
WARREN -- The Ohio State Highway Patrol and police departments from Howland, Niles, Girard, Bazetta, Lordstown, Johnston, McDonald, Brookfield, Liberty, Warren and the Trumbull County Sheriff's Department will conduct a sobriety checkpoint in Trumbull County on Friday. The location will be announced Friday.
Officials investigate fire
BROOKFIELD -- Fire officials are investigating the cause of a $15,000 fire Wednesday night at the Lee and Gloria Bennight home at 694 Brightview St.
Fire officials said the blaze started in a bedroom of the one-story frame structure about 11:30 p.m. The couple was away shopping and four children were being watched by a part-time nanny. No one was hurt. The flames were confined to the bedroom.
Full-day program
WARREN -- Rebecca Williams Community Center's Wee School program is now being offered full day. The half-day preschool program was expanded to assist parents who need all-day care for their children.
Wee School is funded by Trumbull Lifelines and United Way of Trumbull County. The center is at 421 Main St. S.W
After looking at the community's needs, the center decided to expand the program and add a nominal charge to cover the additional hours of operation. Trumbull County Children Services Board and the Department of Job and Family Services will offset some cost for eligible families.
Service renews grant
NILES -- The Ohio Department of Alcohol and Drug Addiction Services has renewed a $300,000 grant for the Mahoning County Chemical Dependency Program's Northeast Ohio Regional Center of Adolescent Treatment in Niles for the fiscal year that began July 1. NORCAT is a 24-bed residential facility for adolescent males.
Firefighters test open
GIRARD -- The civil service commission has decided to open the test for fire chief to firefighters. Capt. Frank Capella was named acting chief earlier this year.
The commission prepared to give the test to four captains, all of whom applied, but then only Capt. Sal Ponzio decided to take it. The commission ruled Wednesday that the test will be open to all 12 firefighters so it's competitive.
Below chief, the department has only the ranks of captain and firefighter.