Judge denies motion

Judge denies motion
WARREN -- A judge has denied a convicted sex offender's motion to get out of prison early.
Judge John Stuard of Trumbull County Common Pleas Court ruled Thursday against Vernon Watters' request to be released from prison.
"I don't believe that the defendant shows any remorse for what he did," Judge Stuard said.
Watters, 44, formerly of Brookfield, pleaded guilty in 1991 to a charge of attempted rape and two charges of gross sexual imposition.
He was sentenced in April 1991 by then-Judge Mitchell Shaker to a six- to 15-year prison term.
Sarah Kovoor, an assistant county prosecutor, opposed Watters' early release. She said Watters was accused of having sexual contact with two girls, ages 9 and 12, whom he knew.
Authorities seek 2 men
WARREN -- The Trumbull County Sheriff's Department is looking for two men who have failed to register as sexual offenders. Detective Rick Tackett says Jerry J. Merten, 33, of Freeman Street Northwest and Daniel T. Hillier, 32, of Poplar Street, Girard, have failed to register with the department. Failing to register as a sexual offender is a felony. Detectives said they need to contact the men and find out why that have not registered. Merten was found guilty in March 1999 of one count of gross sexual imposition. He served 18 months in prison and was to register as a sexual offender by Jan. 13. Hillier was convicted of a count of gross sexual imposition in June 1996. He was released from prison late last year and was to register by Jan. 11, officials said.
Deadline for campaign
WARREN -- Area nonprofit organizations that want to participate in Trumbull County's Combined Federal Campaign must submit applications by March 30.
Nonprofit organizations promoting human health and welfare, and which are recognized by the IRS, are eligible to apply for listing in the campaign, which is the annual fund-raising appeal among the area's federal employees.
Organizations must demonstrate a substantial presence in the county and must submit an IRS Form 990 and copies of the most recent audit and annual report. Applications are available at the United Way of Trumbull County, 3601 Youngstown Road S.E.
Writers group to meet
WARREN -- The second monthly meeting of Write On -- The Writer's Group will be from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday in the community room of Cortland Bank, Elm Road.
Participants are asked to bring a lunch and a sample writing.
For more information, call Sue Motzer at (330) 394-3924 or Marianne Nethers at (330) 394-1815.
Accused of threat
WARREN -- Police arrested a 15-year-old boy who they say pulled a knife on a 10-year-old girl and threatened her. The girl's mother told authorities the threat came after the boy got angry during an after-school snowball fight Thursday on Laird Avenue Southeast. Police reports don't indicate the nature of the threat. No injuries were reported.
Touring Ohio Northern
YOUNGSTOWN -- Youngstown State University trustees and staff visited Ohio Northern University in Ada today to tour the school's privately financed student housing complex. Trustees and staff will visit similar sites at the University of Buffalo and Marshall University in Huntington, W.Va., over the next four weeks. University officials are making the visits before choosing a development company to build a student apartment complex adjacent to the YSU campus. YSU hopes the complex, which could house as many as 400 students, can be finished and open by the start of fall semester 2002.
Mom faces charges
SHARON, Pa. -- A Sharpsville woman will stand trial on charges that she attacked her daughter's teacher last month. Victoria M. Morrison, 32, of Ridge Avenue, is accused of repeatedly punching sixth-grade teacher Lewis Rosa in the chest and face. She is facing charges of simple assault, recklessly endangering another person and disorderly conduct. Police said Rosa had confronted Morrison's daughter about passing a note in his class, then took her into the hall, confiscated the note and turned it in to the principal's office. Police said Morrison arrived at the school a short time later and attacked Rosa in full view of the roomful of pupils as he tried to get her out of the classroom. District Justice James McMahon ordered her to stand trial following a hearing Thursday.
Truck overturns
GREEN -- A tractor-trailer carrying construction debris overturned at the intersection of state Route 165 and U.S. Route 62 on its way to the Carbon Limestone Sanitary Landfill around 7:16 a.m. today. Police were still on the scene at 8:45 a.m. but had not set up a detour. No injuries were reported.