Summer program

Summer program
LISBON -- The Columbiana County Career Center will offer a "Summer Hands-On" Program from 8 a.m. to noon June 4 through 7 for any pupil entering seventh, eighth or ninth grade in the fall. Each program participant will choose four courses and spend one day in each program. The cost of the four-day program is $20, which covers all project materials. Registration deadline is May 30.
Course offerings include: auto body/collision repair, American Red Cross baby-sitting, auto mechanic technology, business technology, cosmetology, food service, landscaping/ horticulture, outdoor living, small engines and welding. To register, or for more information, call 424-9561 Ext. 10. Early registration is suggested.
Ruling in death
GROVE CITY, Pa. -- Pennsylvania State Police said a Summit Street man found dead in his home last month died of a drug overdose. The Mercer County coroner's office ruled Tuesday that Thomas R. Muller, 39, died of drug and alcohol toxicity. An autopsy showed he had a lethal mixture of cocaine, morphine and ethanol in his system, police said. Muller had been found dead in his home March 24.
Farrell man held
SHARON, Pa. -- Police arrested Cory Wilder, 20, of Wallis Avenue, Farrell, on a warrant charging him with criminal conspiracy, simple assault and receiving stolen property. Wilder was picked up at New Castle Avenue and George Street around 7 p.m. Tuesday and held overnight for arraignment. Police said he and an unidentified man attacked and beat a Hermitage man in the 200 block of Mesabi Street around 3:30 p.m. April 29. They took a cell phone from the victim's car, police said.
Pipe bomb hurts boy
HILLSVILLE, Pa. -- A young boy playing in the Hillsville Quarry with two friends was hurt when a pipe bomb went off. Pennsylvania State Police said the boy was treated at St. Elizabeth Health Center in Youngstown for injuries and later released. Police said the boy saw the pipe bomb and threw a rock at it, causing it to explode at 4:30 p.m. Sunday. His two friends were not hurt. No other details, including the ages of the boys, were available from police.
Warning about checks
ELLWOOD CITY, Pa. -- Pennsylvania State Police are warning area banks to watch out for stolen cashier's checks. They say checks for $5,000 and $10,000 along with cash and jewelry were taken Thursday from the Ellwood Road home of an elderly man. Police said the two men stopped by the home at noon on the pretext of cutting down trees. As one man was in the back yard with the elderly resident, the other went into the house and removed a safe, police said. One of the men is described as a white man of average height and build with short, dark hair. He was wearing a gray cap and jacket. There is no description of the other man, except he was wearing a red ball cap with an O on it. Both men drove off in an olive-green small to midsize car, police said.
Fire injures resident
NEW CASTLE, Pa. -- A city man was treated for smoke inhalation after his home caught fire early today. New Castle Police Officer Christopher Fabian noticed flames coming from the attic of 1821 East Washington St. as he was driving past the house at 1:37 a.m. Fabian banged on the front and back doors before he woke Wilbur and Lisa Strayer, who were sleeping in an upstairs bedroom. The Strayers and three dogs got out safely, police said. Wilbur Strayer was treated for smoke inhalation by ambulance workers who responded to the fire. Fire Chief James Donston said the fire appears to have started because of bad electrical wiring in the attic. There was about $10,000 smoke and water damage to the home, he said.
Arrested in theft
SHARON, Pa. -- Police arrested Dwight Dempsey, 50, of Hillcrest Street on charges of theft and receiving stolen property. Dempsey was picked up at his home around 7 p.m. Tuesday. Police said the theft involved the taking of some jewelry belonging to a family member April 23. Dempsey sold the jewelry at a local shop but it was recovered, police said.