Funds for defibrillator

Funds for defibrillator
LIBERTY -- Fraternal Order of Police Lodge 65 has donated $2,700 to the township to buy a heart defibrillator that will be stored in a cruiser.
Police Chief Anthony Slifka said the donation is a good sign in the township's effort to solicit $15,000 to buy five of the devices.
Slifka and fire Chief Michael Durkin have sent out 100 letters to township businesses seeking donations.
New Year's Eve party
GIRARD -- The Knights of Columbus will have a public New Year's Eve party at the K of C Hall, 122 S. State St.
Doors open at 7 p.m. and dinner will be served at 7:30. A continental breakfast is planned for 12:30 a.m. Hats, noisemakers and setups will be provided.
Music will be by Steve Treglia and Marie Pimpinella will cater the dinner.
For tickets, call Joe at (330) 545-0663 or Steve at (330) 530-2352. Tickets also can be picked up at the Brine Barber Shop, 12 N. State St., or by calling Lou at (330) 545-3430.
Tickets are $15 per person and $30 per couple.
Trash-pickup delay
GIRARD -- There will be a one-day delay in trash pickups because of the Christmas and New Year's holidays. Trash should be placed at the curb Friday evenings for the Saturday pickups.
Bound over to jury
NILES -- A Pennsylvania man charged with felonious assault has been bound over to the Trumbull County grand jury.
Jason Howell, 28, of Idaho Street, Farrell, is accused of shooting Michael Wright, 22, of Royal Arms Drive last week.
Wright was treated for a bullet wound to his upper chest.
During a preliminary hearing Monday, bond was set at $30,000 for Howell, who is being held in the Trumbull County Jail.
Delaying decision
AUSTINTOWN -- Township trustees have postponed a decision to rescind the township's strip club resolution and approve a new, nearly identical resolution.
Trustee Bo Pritchard said the Mahoning County Prosecutor's Office wanted more time to work on the new resolution.
Trustees had been expected to rescind one resolution and approve another Monday night.
The resolution, approved unanimously Sept. 23, requires strip club owners, strippers and other club employees to get a license to work in the township.
The prosecutor's office had expressed concern that trustees acted improperly by holding closed-door meetings to discuss the resolution with a consultant.
Local residents and representatives of The Babylon submitted petitions to the county board of elections to place the resolution on the November 2003 ballot.
Shots fired at officer
YOUNGSTOWN -- Shots were fired at Patrolman Jason E. Simon early today when he responded to a burglary-prowler report in the 300 block of School Street. Simon was not injured.
Melvin Fernandez Cruz, 19, no address given, was arrested about 12:45 a.m. on charges of attempted murder and possession of criminal tools. Two other suspects escaped.
Shots were fired when Simon chased Cruz, who was wearing a protective military flak jacket, to an open field near John Street, reports show.
A search of the area turned up a loaded 9 mm handgun.
Patrolman Brian Voitus and a police dog were called to track the two remaining suspects. Cruz was expected to be arraigned today in municipal court.
Pleads innocent to rape
YOUNGSTOWN -- Joshua Dale Baird, 27, of Salem-Unity Road, Salem, pleaded innocent to a charge of rape at his arraignment Monday in Mahoning County Common Pleas Court. Judge Jack Durkin set bond at $50,000.
Baird is accused of engaging in sexual conduct with a 2-year-old Boardman girl and faces life in prison if he is convicted.
He had been free on a $50,000 bond and awaiting trial on charges of rape and gross sexual imposition in Columbiana County, where he's accused of molesting a 4-year-old relative.
Atty. Jeffrey Limbian was appointed to represent him.
Police probe shooting
YOUNGSTOWN -- Police are investigating a shooting Monday morning that injured a city man asleep in his bed.
Two rounds were fired through a bedroom window at an East Avondale Avenue home, hitting Andre Ortiz, 23, in the upper right arm and shoulder around 9:30 a.m. as he slept in a downstairs bedroom.
The victim's aunt told police her nephew had been involved in a fight with another man on the East Side the night before.
Also, the victim's car was burned in front of his home around 3:15 a.m. Monday.