Pickup truck crash brings 3 citations

Pickup truck crashbrings 3 citations
SHARON, Pa. -- A 16-year-old Hermitage boy received three citations after crashing his pickup truck into the Shenango Valley Chamber of Commerce. Sharon police said the boy told them his foot became lodged on the gas pedal as he backed up in a Chestnut Street parking lot. The bed of the truck crashed through a brick wall at 9:20 p.m. Saturday and stopped about halfway inside the building, police said. He was cited for careless driving, driving an unregistered vehicle and failing to use restraint systems. Police did not release the boy's name because of his age. They said five other juveniles were in the cab of the truck when the crash occurred. The building damage estimate was not available this morning.
Meeting on state funds
YOUNGSTOWN -- Mahoning County commissioners and other elected officials will meet at 2 p.m. Tuesday with Larry Long, executive director of the County Commissioners Association of Ohio. They will talk about a proposed reduction in state funding for counties, beginning in 2004. State legislators from the Mahoning Valley are also scheduled to attend.
Investment scam
BUTLER, Pa. (AP) -- A former insurance salesman who sold phony investments to 13 western Pennsylvania families was sentenced to two to four years in prison. Last week, a Butler County judge ordered Todd Manuel, 37, of New Castle, to pay $300,000 in restitution and to serve 15 years of probation after he is released from prison. In a plea agreement, Manuel pleaded guilty to selling phony investments from 1997 to 2000. Instead of investing the people's money into high-yielding accounts, as he promised, Manuel spent the money on vacations, a house, a car and dinners.
Fire leaves 5 homeless
NEW CASTLE, Pa. -- Five people were left homeless after an early-morning fire in a duplex on Pennsylvania Avenue. Fire Chief James Donston said the blaze started at 12:42 a.m. in the living room of 1321 1/2 Pennsylvania and extended to the other side of the duplex. Firefighters suspect the blaze was accidental, but did not know the exact cause this morning. The fire started in the living room of Rosemary Smith, who lives there with her two daughters. Smoke damage extended to the other side of the duplex where owner Charlene Macri lives, Donston said. The blaze also damaged 1323 Pennsylvania, occupied by Helen Prejsnar and owned by Vera Zuke. Donston said everyone got out of the homes, but some had to be treated for smoke inhalation at the scene. Smith and her daughters were assisted by the American Red Cross, and the others went to stay with family members, he said.
School levy meetings
COLUMBIANA -- Community information meetings about the Columbiana village schools 1 percent income tax levy on the Nov. 5 ballot will be at 7:30 p.m. Tuesday and Oct. 29. Both meetings will take place at the high school.
Explorer open house
COLUMBIANA -- The Columbiana police and emergency medical services Explorer post will have an open house at 7:30 p.m. Thursday at the Columbiana police station. Anyone 14 to 19 who is interested in a career in law enforcement or emergency medical services may attend. Columbiana Patrolman Kevin Kloss is the Explorer post adviser. For more information, call Kloss at (330) 482-9292.