Youngstowner indicted

Youngstowner indicted
CLEVELAND -- A federal grand jury has indicted a Youngstown man, charging him with being a felon in possession of a firearm. Indicted was Raymond L. Wright, 22, whose last known address was on Gray Avenue, the U.S. attorney said.
The U.S. attorney's office said Wright faces 10 years in prison and a $250,000 fine if convicted of the gun possession charge, but it did not specify what felony he was previously convicted of and when and where he was convicted.
The case was investigated by the U.S. Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms, and is being prosecuted under Operation Safe Neighborhood -- a program that targets armed criminals for federal prosecution.
Appropriations OK'd
CANFIELD -- The board of education approved an appropriation of $36.5 million Wednesday for the current fiscal year, which ends June 30 -- a 3.7 percent increase over the $35.2 million for last fiscal year.
The increase stems in part from a 23 percent increase (more than a $400,000 increase) in employee health insurance premiums, a 10 percent increase in money the district pays to the Mahoning County Educational Services Center for special education services, and the purchase of five school buses at about $65,000 each, instead of the usual three buses, treasurer Pattie Kesner explained.
Memorial bricks for sale
STRUTHERS -- The Struthers School Foundation for Educational Excellence is selling memorial bricks to help provide high school students with educational equipment and opportunities. There is space for the installation of about 1,728 bricks in the east-west walkway in front of the new high school. Each brick costs $50 and has three lines that can be engraved with up to 14 characters per line. For more information call (330) 750-1061.Honoring safety forces
YOUNGSTOWN -- The city's safety forces will be honored Saturday at Youngstown State University's homecoming parade. Police Chief Richard Lewis, Fire Chief John O'Neill and YSU Police Chief John J. Gocala will serve as grand marshals of the parade, which starts at 2 p.m. on Rayen Avenue and proceeds to Stambaugh Stadium. Greg Gulas, YSU assistant director of student activities, said the event is a way to thank police officers and firefighters for their jobs. Also participating in the parade will be YSU President David Sweet and his wife, Pat, fraternities, sororities, the YSU marching band and the Campbell Memorial High School flag line.
Man beaten in park
YOUNGSTOWN -- A 23-year-old Thalia Avenue man received 36 stitches in his head after being beaten with a 2-by-4 at a South Side park, police reports show. Police have arrested two male teen-agers, ages 15 and 19, on felonious assault charges. The man told police he met the teens and a third male at Lynn Park to drink beer when the 19-year-old retrieved the lumber from the woods and the three surrounded him, police reports show. He said they punched and kicked him and beat him with the wood. He went home and was taken by his mother to Northside Medical Center, where he was treated for three large gashes on his head. Arrested were the Thalia Avenue 19-year-old and the Wakefield Avenue 15-year-old, a Wilson High School ninth-grader, police said.
Radon kits available
AUSTINTOWN -- In conjunction with National Radon Action Week, the Mahoning County District Board of Health will be distributing free radon kits to the public. The test kits may be picked up between 9 a.m. and noon, and 2 to 4 p.m. Friday in the district's Health Promotion and Assessment Unit, Suite 103, 116 Westchester Drive.
Police arrest teens
CAMPBELL -- Two Youngstown teens were arrested by city police after the car they were in was pulled over for speeding on McCartney Road about 1:40 a.m. Wednesday. Police said a white plastic tube was tossed out the car window before the vehicle stopped. Police said the tube contained several suspected rocks of crack cocaine. The driver, 17, of Youngstown, is being held in the Mahoning County Juvenile Justice Center on drug abuse charges. The passenger, 19, also of Youngstown, is being held in Mahoning County Jail on warrants from Campbell Municipal Court for receiving stolen property and aggravated trespassing.