Retired barber reports being beaten, robbed

Retired barber reportsbeing beaten, robbed
YOUNGSTOWN-- A 72-year-old retired barber was beaten and robbed Saturday afternoon after letting four teen-agers into his home for a haircut. Vernon Penny, 72, of 377 Cohasset Drive, was in stable condition in St. Elizabeth Health Center on Saturday night.
He told police he was approached by four males between the ages of 17 and 19 about 1:30 p.m. Saturday. He said he cut the hair of one teen, then the four left, saying they would return with money.
When they returned, they rushed Penny, punching him and tying his hands and feet with an electric cord.
The teens took about $700, a revolver, a VCR and a stereo. Penny freed himself after they left.
Verdict expected
AUSTINTOWN -- A verdict is expected this week in Mahoning County Area Court here in the case of Rosemarie Francis, charged with cruelty to animals.
Francis had a trial this week and Judge David D'Apolito took the matter under advisement before rendering a verdict. Francis, formerly of Yorktown Lane, was charged last summer after authorities found more than 30 cats in her home.
Block-watch meeting
YOUNGSTOWN -- Animal welfare and railroad crossing safety will be the topics for the Southern Boulevard Block Watch meeting at 7 p.m. Wednesday in St. Dominic Parish Center, 3403 Southern Blvd.
"The Prevention and Investigation of Cruelty to Animals'' will be the topic for Dave Nelson, humane agent for Animal Charity, and "Dog Control in Youngstown" will be discussed by Carole Keevey, secretary to the Mahoning County dog warden.
With trains to return soon to the track along Southern Boulevard, Louis Jannazo, chief rail planner for the Ohio Rail Development Commission, will discuss railroad-crossing safety.
Home-buyer workshop
YOUNGSTOWN -- Consumer Credit Counseling Service will sponsor a free first-time home-buyer workshop from 5:30 to 8:30 p.m. Wednesday at the Family Service Agency, 535 Marmion Avenue.
The workshop will cover basic home-buying information such as determining affordability, budget and credit problems and the application process.
All participants will receive a certificate of attendance that will satisfy the education requirement for some mortgage programs. To register, call (330) 782-9113.
Cleanup meeting set
YOUNGSTOWN -- Councilman Richard Atkinson, R-3rd, will have North Side neighborhood cleanup meeting at 6 p.m. Thursday at St. Edward School on Redondo Road.
Targeted areas for cleanup will be Redondo Road to Broadway Street and Fifth Avenue to Ohio Avenue. Anybody interested in helping should attend the meeting.
Free stroke screenings
NILES -- Hillside Rehabilitation Hospital will give free stroke screenings from 9 a.m. to noon Wednesday at TMH Community Health Connection in Eastwood Mall.
The screenings take only a few minutes and consist of blood-pressure reading, carotid pulse and a short questionnaire.