Four face charges

Four face charges
CORTLAND -- Four people are to appear Wednesday in Central District Court to face charges of receiving stolen property and fleeing and eluding a police officer.
Police Chief Gary Mink said the four are accused of breaking into Cortland Tractor Sales, state Route 88 in Johnston Township, early today.
Mink said they had about $3,000 worth of merchandise from the store in the back of their pickup truck.
An officer tried to stop the truck around 2:30 a.m. in a routine traffic check, but the driver refused to pull over.
The truck was chased into Niles and eventually stopped. Niles police are considering charges of criminal damaging against the driver from damage done to lawns in the city during the chase.
Safety course onfarm equipment
WARREN -- A 12-week safety course focusing on common farm equipment will be offered by the Trumbull County Extension 4-H program beginning Jan. 9.
Upon successful completion of the course, 14- to 16-year-old participants will earn certification to legally operate tractors or farm machinery on any farm.
The class will meet Wednesday nights from 7 to 9. Cost is $18. Call (330) 675-2595 for a registration form.
Registration must be received before Jan. 3.
Armed robbers
NILES -- A West Park Avenue man told police two teen-agers came into his home Monday evening and demanded money at gunpoint.
The man said the two entered through an unlocked back door and hit both he and his son on the head with the handguns.
They took a Game Cube, valued at $200.
Pantsless man
NILES -- A Cortland woman told police she was approached outside a U.S. Route 422 business by a man in a car with no pants on.
The man, described as in his 30s with reddish-blond har, drove up to the woman as she was leaving the Ski Chalet about 8 p.m. Monday and asked her for directions.
She noticed he was naked from the waist down and ran back into the store.
Woman pleadsguilty to charge
WARREN -- A 19-year-old woman pleaded guilty Monday in Trumbull County Common Pleas Court to a charge of attempted felonious assault.
Tiona Jones entered the plea moments before her trial was to begin. In exchange for her guilty plea, the prosecutor's office dismissed a gun specification count.
Jones, who will be sentenced after a background check, could receive up to four years in prison.
Chuck Morrow, an assistant prosecutor, said Jones and codefendant DeShawn Pruitt, 27, of Warren, were involved in the May 18 shooting of Arthur Drayton of Van Wye Street S.E.
Pruitt was convicted of felonious assault in August and is serving a seven-year prison term.
Cortland schedulesspecial meeting
CORTLAND -- A special council meeting will be conducted Wednesday to discuss passage of routine year-end legislation.
Mayor Melissa Long said that not enough council members attended Monday's regular meeting to pass legislation introduced by Fran Moyer, finance director.
The ordinances will adjust city accounts and year-end money transfers. They must be passed by the end of the year.
Long said only four council members attended Monday's meeting; Gerald Bayus, Deidre Petrosky and John Caparanis were absent.
The mayor said she expects that at least five council members will be able to attend the special meeting.