Evidence shared

Evidence shared
CLEVELAND -- U.S. Rep. James A. Traficant Jr., of Poland, D-17th, and Richard E. Detore of Virginia have been told which evidence federal prosecutors intend to use against them at trial in February.
In a notice of compliance filed Monday, prosecutors informed U.S. District Judge Lesley Brooks Wells that the congressman and his co-defendant received a list of the trial exhibits.
Traficant faces 10 counts, including racketeering, bribery and tax evasion. Detore is accused of conspiracy to violate the federal bribery statute while employed by J.J. Cafaro at U.S. Aerospace Group.
Among the evidence to be used are documents related to Cafaro, who has pleaded guilty to bribing Traficant in return for the congressman's influence to promote USAG's laser-guidance technology.
Project scaled back
EAST PALESTINE -- East and West Clark and Sebring streets won't be included in a sewer renovation project because a federal grand didn't come through, city Manager Gary Clark said. The city will spend about $260,000 on improvements at the treatment plant in 2002, and may apply for 2003 Community Development Block Grant funds to replace sewer lines on Clark and Sebring streets, he said. The city applied for, but was not awarded a $500,000 CDBG for 2002 to replace those lines.
Fibromyalgia is topic
EAST PALESTINE -- Deborah Folkwain, a registered nurse, will be at the East Palestine Memorial Public Library at 10:30 a.m. Dec. 11 to speak about fibromyalgia.
The library will also sponsor a program on appraisal of antiques and collectibles from 6 to 8 p.m. Dec. 12. Nonlicensed appraisers will be on hand to evaluate pottery, porcelain, glassware, toys and other American-made items.
The library is at 309 N. Market St.
Drug charges
SHARON, Pa. -- Police said they knew Clifford M. Gregory, 20, of Fruit Avenue didn't belong in the neighborhood when they spotted him on a porch in the 200 block of Mesabi Street around 2:25 a.m. Monday.
Police questioned him about his presence in an area known for drug trafficking and found 11 packages of suspected crack cocaine as well as a small amount of suspected marijuana in his possession.
Gregory was charged with possession of a controlled substance, possession of a controlled substance with intent to deliver, possession of a small amount of marijuana and possession of drug paraphernalia. He was arraigned before District Justice Henry Russo and lodged in Mercer County Jail with bond set at $5,000.
Armed robbery
FARRELL, Pa. -- Police said they didn't catch the men responsible for the robbery of a woman on Hamilton Avenue but their search for the suspects did lead to a drug arrest.
The robbery victim told police she was approached by two black men as she got out of her car in the 1000 block of Hamilton Avenue around 9 p.m. Friday. One of the men had a gun and demanded her purse; she said she gave up the purse and they ran away.
Police fanned out through the area looking for the pair and found Marlon Howard, 19, of Fruit Avenue, in the 900 block of Beechwood Avenue about 10 minutes later. They stopped him to ask him about the robbery and found he had some suspected crack cocaine in his possession, police said. He was arrested, arraigned on a drug possession charge and lodged in Mercer County Jail. He was released after he posted the $5,000 bond Sunday.
Church burglarized
FARRELL, Pa. -- Police are investigating the burglary of St. Adalbert's Church at 1035 Fruit Ave. The break-in was discovered around 1 p.m. Monday. Police said someone tried unsuccessfully to drill open the door to the church safe.
There was no sign of forced entry to the building, police said.
Closed for funeral
EAST PALESTINE -- East Palestine schools were closed today so school personnel and pupils could attend the funeral of fifth-grade teacher Judy McDonagh. School Superintendent Jeff Richardson said McDonagh, 56, has taught in the district for 36 years. She was diagnosed with cancer in September and died Saturday, he said.