House fire probed

House fire probed
WARREN -- Firefighters are investigating the cause of a blaze at a Woodbine Street S.E. home early today. The fire started around 4:12 a.m., but the one person living in the two-story frame home, a dog and two cats escaped unhurt.
Several cats, however, perished, according to reports. No other details were available this morning.
Hazardous intersection
NILES -- Police will increase patrols near the Robbins Avenue intersections with Summit and Hogarth avenues, where there have been several accidents in the last several months. "We're working with the city, the light department and the administration in trying to correct the problem with a new traffic signal, but it will take a while to put that up," Police Chief Bruce Simeone said.
The intersections, which are close together, are marked with two traffic signals. Simeone said other intersections will be targeted for enforcement in coming weeks.
Vehicular homicide case
NILES -- A Youngstown man accused of aggravated vehicular homicide and aggravated vehicular assault has pleaded innocent.
Attorney Dennis A. DiMartino entered the plea in municipal court here Tuesday on behalf of Fred R. Brinsky Jr., 44, of North Lakeview Avenue.
Brinsky was charged in the May 19 accident that killed Taylor L. Veisz, 19, of Youngstown.
Authorities have said he crossed the center line and his van struck her car head-on on Salt Springs Road near Interstate 80.
A preliminary hearing is set for June 29.
Remodeling of school
McDONALD -- The board of education has approved paperwork to be sent to the Ohio School Facilities Commission for permission to proceed with the $5.1 million remodeling of the high school.
The board met in special session Tuesday to review the form prepared by architects Riccuiti, Balog and Partners of Youngstown.
The work is part of an overall $17 million improvements project in the district. The high school job will cost $7.5 million.
The paperwork going to the state for approval is for general trades construction, heating and air conditioning, plumbing, fire protection, electrical and windows.
Treasurer Thomas Radabaugh explained that bids for work at the high school will be opened June 19.
Some work will begin this summer and take about a year.
The board has changed the date of its next regular meeting to 7:15 p.m. June 18 in the high school library.
There will be an executive session at 7:15 p.m. June 11 to evaluate district administrators.
Warren man indicted
CLEVELAND -- A 23-year-old Warren man has been indicted by a federal grand jury on one count of being a felon in possession of a weapon.
Michael P. Kuntz faces up to 10 years in prison and a $250,000 fine. The indictment says Kuntz was in possession of a .40-caliber semiautomatic pistol Dec. 16 after having been convicted of aggravated assault Aug. 1, 1996, in Trumbull County Common Pleas Court.
Citizens meeting
MINERAL RIDGE -- The Weathersfield Township Responsible Citizens Association will meet at 7 p.m. Thursday in Summit Assembly of God, 2615 Salts Springs Road.
Speaker will be David Pugh, township administrator.
The group meets the last Thursday of each month at 7 p.m. and is open to the public.
Meeting on boat safety
CORTLAND -- Information on safe boating will be available this weekend at Mosquito Lake Park from the local Sail and Power Squadron. The Coast Guard material to be distributed Saturday and Sunday focuses on proper use of life jackets, boating rules and regulations and information on continuing education in boating offered by the local squadron.
Certified inspectors will be available from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. both days for voluntary vessel safety checks.