Decks disappear

Decks disappear
AUSTINTOWN -- Two assembled 8-by-10-feet wooden decks vanished from the front of Carter Lumber Co., where they were being displayed, between 7 p.m. Tuesday and 7:55 a.m. Wednesday. Police have no suspects, but said it probably took a large truck to haul the decks, which together are worth about $668.
Natural gas group plan
WARREN -- Residents of Trumbull County townships have until Sept. 10 to enroll in a group buying plan for natural gas that has been endorsed by county commissioners. The average homeowner who joins the plan can save $200 a year compared to Dominion East Ohio gas prices, officials say. To enroll, township residents can call (877) 55-SHELL or register online at www.shellenergy.com.
Police sign contract
YOUNGSTOWN -- The city's control board signed a three-year contract with police patrol officers Wednesday after several months of delay. City council and the union approved terms in February, but there was a dispute over staffing. The city now has agreed to the union's request to fill 10 afternoon and 10 evening shifts by seniority, said John McNally IV, an assistant law director. The city wanted officers on those shifts to have at least four years' experience. The city has 60 days to implement the new scheduling. The contract's 30-cent-per hour and 4 percent pay raises also had been held up, but back pay and the new rates were paid starting a couple of weeks ago, McNally said.
Negotiations continue
YOUNGSTOWN -- Negotiations were to continue today between the Mahoning County Board of Mental Retardation and Developmental Disability and its unionized employees. Three-year contracts for local units of the Ohio Education Association and the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees expire Friday. The unions have said they will strike if a new deal isn't reached by midnight Tuesday, said Atty. Lou D'Apolito, who represents the board. The parties have been meeting with a federal mediator, said J. Kevin Sellards, county human resources director. Contract language and wages are the main issues, Sellards said.
School back in session
CAMPBELL -- Classes at Memorial High School, canceled Wednesday, were back in session today after power was restored Wednesday evening. Ohio Edison assisted school crews who replaced some underground wiring, owned by the school, which failed around 4:30 p.m. Tuesday.
Grand jury indicts man
WARREN -- A Trumbull County grand jury has indicted an 18-year-old Girard man on charges of attempted murder, aggravated robbery, felonious assault and grand theft of a motor vehicle. Detective Mike Begeot of the Hubbard Township Police Department said Kenneth W. Hyatt, 18, of Davis Street, is accused of robbing Truck World Motor Inn off Interstate 80 and beating George Kroynovich, 63, a desk clerk. The getaway car, Kroynovich's 1995 Oldsmobile, was recovered in Liberty Township. Hyatt is being held in the county jail without bond.
Officer treated
GIRARD -- A city police officer was treated at Forum Health Northside Medical Center for bruises after his unmarked police car was struck by a pickup truck Wednesday afternoon. Police said Anthony Zuppo, the department's juvenile officer, was traveling east on Second Street about 2:30 p.m. when his car was struck as he traveled through the South State Street intersection by a pickup driven by Harry Godney, 15, of Lincoln Avenue, Liberty, who was northbound on State Street and ran a red light. Police said the juvenile is expected to be cited. The Trumbull County Sheriff's Department is investigating.
WRTA resumes service
YOUNGSTOWN -- Western Reserve Transit Authority will resume bus service from Youngstown to Kent State University Trumbull Branch in Champion Township beginning Sept. 9. Buses will travel U.S. Route 422 from Youngstown through Niles and Warren, running hourly from 6:10 a.m. to 5 p.m. weekdays, and 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturdays. Stops include Courthouse Square in Warren and Eastwood Mall in Niles. Also, free bus service will be provided to the Riverfest celebration at Packard Park in Warren on Sept. 29. The buses will run from Federal Plaza from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m.