Saturday, November 3, 2001
Burning odor attributedto W.Va. forest fires
YOUNGSTOWN -- A burning odor that wafted into the Mahoning Valley on Friday likely was from West Virginia forest fires, but there was no threat to air quality, according to a local air pollution control administrator. Some 21 forest fires were being fought in seven West Virginia counties, and 60 more such fires in that state were being allowed to burn out, said Larry Himes, administrator of the Mahoning-Trumbull Air Pollution Control Agency. Forest fires in Kentucky may also have contributed to the smell, he said. But Friday's air quality here was good, he said. Himes said he detected a smell similar to burning wire at his West Side residence when he left for work at 7:15 a.m. Friday, and others described the odor as being similar to that of wood smoke or burning rubber. The odor was likely dissipated by Friday's rain, which began about noon, he said. The odor was reported in Columbus, Twinsburg and in Summit, Portage, Trumbull and Mahoning counties, Himes said.
Suspect arrestedin robbery of store
WEST MIDDLESEX, Pa. -- Police have arrested a Greenville man in the Oct. 25 robbery of the Dairy Mart store at 3108 Main St. Mercer County deputy sheriffs picked up Alvin G. White Jr., 40, of 12th Street, Greenville, at his home around 1 p.m. Thursday on a warrant charging him with robbery, theft, receiving stolen property, reckless endangering and simple assault. Police said White entered the store around 4:15 a.m. and demanded money from a store clerk, indicating he had a gun. The clerk saw no gun but gave the robber an undisclosed amount of money, police said. Surveillance tapes helped in identifying White as the robbery suspect.
Boy still hospitalized
HERMITAGE, Pa. -- A 14-year-old Sunset Boulevard boy, who apparently walked into the path of a car while trick-or-treating on Easton Road around 6 p.m. Wednesday, was in fair condition late Friday in Children's Hospital, Pittsburgh. Robert Benger was first taken to Sharon Regional Health System, which reported he was treated and released. However, he was transferred to Children's Hospital with a broken leg and a head injury.