Gunman robs hotel, gets away with cash

Gunman robs hotel,gets away with cash
LIBERTY -- A gunman got away Monday night with an undetermined amount of cash from Hampton Inn at Belmont Avenue and state Route 304. A clerk told police a man entered the lobby about 8:30 p.m. and went to the television area where he stayed about 20 minutes before approaching the counter and demanding money.
Council OKs purchase
CORTLAND -- Council approved the purchase of a $26,000 diesel-powered brush chipper Monday from Franklin Tractor Sales of Columbus.
Paul Makosky, service director, said he hopes to have the chipper by the end of the week.
Makosky also announced the fall cleanup is set for Wednesday and Thursday evening.
Crews will not collect freon-charged appliances, construction materials or flammables.
Parents, teachers plan dance in school gym
WARREN -- Parents of Jefferson Elementary School pupils will be able to interact with staff at an adult-only '50s and '60s dance Friday.
"Rock Around the Clock" is from 5 to 8 p.m. in the gym at the Fifth Street school.
Organizers say they hope to make it an annual event.
A disc jockey will spin tunes and partygoers are asked to dress in attire appropriate for that time period.
Proceeds from the $2 admission price will go toward the 2002 graduation program for pupils in fourth grade and kindergarten.
Testimony to begin
WARREN -- Testimony was to begin today in the rape trial of a 38-year-old Howland man.
A jury was selected Monday to hear the case of Roy J. Griffith Jr., no street address available, who is charged with 10 counts of rape and 10 counts of attempted rape.
The victim was a 9-year-old girl he knows, prosecutors said.
He is being held in the county jail under $500,000 bond.
Township, road crewsto sponsor Safety Day
MINERAL RIDGE -- The Weathersfield Township safety and road crews will have Safety Day at the Mineral Ridge Fire Department on state Route 46 from noon to 3 p.m. Saturday.
The fire department will display its cardiac automatic emergency defibrillators and thermal-imaging cameras. An emergency command post will be set up for people to tour, and there will be a Jaws of Life demonstration at 1:30 p.m.
The police department will display a cruiser equipped with a new in-car camera, and the road department will display the newly purchased wood chipper and a new road-side mower.
Police search for man
WARREN -- Police are searching for a 31-year-old Homewood Avenue S.E. man who they say caused a three-car crash Saturday, then didn't show up for a court appearance Monday.
Stephen Baugh is charged with driving under the influence, driving under suspension, left of center and unauthorized use of a vehicle.
Police say they took Baugh to the Trumbull County jail shortly after Saturday's crash, but he was released because of overcrowding.
Sheriff Thomas Altiere could not be reached.
No one was seriously injured in the accident.