Columbiana woman dies in 2-vehicle crash

Columbiana womandies in 2-vehicle crash
SALEM -- A Columbiana woman was killed in a two-vehicle accident in Perry Township.
According to the Ohio State Highway Patrol Lisbon post, Florence K. Sidwell, 87, of Crestview Road, was driving east on Salem Grange Road about 10:18 p.m. Tuesday when the accident occurred. Sidwell stopped at a stop sign at the intersection of Salem Grange Road and state Route 45, the patrol said.
She then drove into the intersection and her car was struck on the driver's side by a Mack truck southbound on Route 45, the patrol said. The truck was driven by Jack Ziegler, 60 of Williamsfield, who was neither injured nor charged, the patrol said. Sidwell was pronounced dead at the scene. Both drivers were wearing seat belts, the patrol said.
Zoning board action
HERMITAGE, Pa. -- The Hermitage Zoning Hearing Board has granted three zoning variances for small residential projects.
Jeff and Marcia Thompson of 3700 Tamara Trail were given permission to complete construction of an unattached garage that rises 26 feet high instead of the city-mandated maximum of 20 feet.
Richard and Cecelia Olson of 3760 Hogback Road got a variance that will allow them to put a 30-by-20-foot addition on their home that will have a front-yard setback of only 27 feet instead of the required 35 feet.
Finally, Leonard and Susan Turco of 134 S. Crescent Drive got a variance to allow them to put a 42-by-22-foot addition on their home that will result in total lot coverage of 21.7 percent instead of the maximum 20 percent allowed by city building codes.
Death ruled accidental
MERCER, Pa. -- Mercer County Coroner's Office has ruled the weekend death of a 32-year-old Hermitage man as accidental.
The coroner's office said Tuesday that Michael Murray, 1451 George St. Ext., was electrocuted Sunday when he came into contact with a high-voltage line.
Brookfield Fire Department said Murray was cutting down a tree on Boyd Street when he hit the 69,000-volt line, falling 21 feet to the ground. He was pronounced dead at Sharon Regional Health System's hospital.
Businesses burglarized
NEW CASTLE, Pa. -- City police are investigating two burglaries at area businesses. Owners of Pagley's Restaurant, 1235 W. Washington St., came to work at 8 a.m. Monday to find a door ajar, and money and a cash register missing.
Police discovered a second burglary early Monday morning when an alarm sounded at Johnny Dogg's Bar, 805 Croton Ave. Police said the rear door was wide open when they arrived at 3:26 a.m. A counter-top video game machine was missing. An unknown amount of cash was in the machine. The machine is valued at $3,000.
Charged with assault
NEW CASTLE, Pa. -- Police say a dispute between two women left one in the hospital and the other accused of assault. Authorities said Carla Lee, 41, of New Castle was arrested and arraigned before District Justice David Rishel on Monday on a charge of aggravated assault. Lee and a 29-year-old Volant woman were involved in an altercation at 7:15 a.m. on Copper Road in Slippery Rock Township when Lee hit the woman with a baseball bat, police said.
The other woman was treated at Jameson Hospital. Lee was released from police custody after posting bail. Police did not give the cause of the dispute.
Fishing gear stolen
VOLANT, Pa. -- Pennsylvania State Police are looking for whoever stole about $1,000 worth of equipment from the Neshannock Creek Fly Shop. The fly reels and fly lines were taken sometime from Sunday to Monday.
Police said there are two LM2 Bauer fly reels, a Teton fly reel and three fly lines missing. Reports don't indicate how the theft was accomplished.