Thursday, July 12, 2001
Woman dies in accident
NEW CASTLE, Pa. -- A Pulaski Township woman died Wednesday night when the vehicle she was driving went off the road and rolled over numerous times, authorities said. State Police in New Castle said they don't know what caused Bonnie L. Devore of Garden View Mobile Home Park, to drive off the south berm of Evergreen Road. They said she wasn't wearing a seat belt and was ejected. Lawrence County Coroner Russell Noga pronounced her dead at the scene.
Raccoon causes outage
WEST MIDDLESEX, Pa. -- Penn Power says it's likely a raccoon caused a power outage that affected 2,345 customers in the Shenango Valley early today. Randy Coleman, Penn Power area manager, said the animal got into a substation and disrupted electrical service. Power was restored by 6:25 a.m., he said.
Nurse arrested in theft
SHARON, Pa. -- Police arrested a nurse at Sharon Regional Health System on charges of theft and receiving stolen property after a patient accused her of taking $900 from him. Police said Jennifer Sigwalt, 27, of Fruit Avenue, Farrell, is a licensed practical nurse at the hospital and was taking the patient for tests when he gave her $900 in a money clip to hold for him. She didn't return the money but used it to go shopping, police said. Sigwalt was arrested at 9 a.m. Wednesday and later was arraigned and freed on her own recognizance.
Threat, harass charges
SHARON, Pa.-- Ryan Redmond, 18, of South Irvine Avenue, was freed on his own recognizance after his arraignment Wednesday on charges of making terroristic threats and harassment. Police said he called his ex-girlfriend's home twice July 3 threatening to kill her, her new boyfriend and a third person. He was arrested on a warrant at noon Tuesday.
Forgery suspect freed
HERMITAGE, Pa. --Timothy G. Hassen, 20, of Sheridan Street, was freed on his own recognizance after his arrest on charges of forgery, theft and receiving stolen property. Police said Hassen stole two checks, forged signatures on them and then cashed them at two banks in the city. He was arraigned Monday before District Justice Henry Russo, police said.
Female suspect in theft
HERMITAGE, Pa. -- Tamara Barbir, 42, of Frampton Road, was freed on her own recognizance after being arrested on a warrant Tuesday charging her with burglary, theft and receiving stolen property. Police said she broke into a Broadway Avenue business June 21 and stole a handgun.
Meeting scheduled
NEW SPRINGFIELD -- The first township Crime Watch meeting will be at 7 p.m. Tuesday in the activity center of Deer Meadow Estates, 12921 Springfield Road. Springfield Township EMTs will share information on responding to emergency medical calls. "We are trying to make our community a safer place to live," said patrol officer Leona Compton.
Man shot on Ohio Ave.
YOUNGSTOWN -- Gregory Merchant, 36, of Willis Avenue, was in critical condition today in St. Elizabeth Health Center after a shooting about 4:15 a.m. on Ohio Avenue. Residents told police said they heard arguing and then at least two shots. Police learned that a car had sped off from the scene, south on Ohio and west onto Crandall Avenue. Records show that Merchant has been free on bond, charged with driving under suspension, and is due back in municipal court Wednesday.
Greenhouse vandalized
LAKE MILTON -- Someone did about $4,000 in damage to the Nemenz Foodland greenhouse at 1428 Grandview Road. The manager told a Mahoning County deputy sheriff that the aluminum door and frame to the greenhouse had been bent and broken and plastic panels cut out. Inside, all contents had been overturned. The vandalism happened between 10 p.m. Tuesday and 7 a.m. Wednesday.
New zoning ordinance
HOWLAND -- Township trustees have approved a zoning ordinance that will allow companies to use large, empty retail buildings for light assembly and manufacturing.
The ordinance is intended to allow redevelopment of buildings left vacant by stores, said John Emanuel, township administrator.
Trustees also approved a plan permitting Shepherd of the Valley nursing home to build a 40-bed addition for skilled nursing patients.