Officer's shooting was accidental, official says

Officer's shooting wasaccidental, official says
WARREN -- The city will not pursue criminal charges against a police officer who shot a colleague.
Law director Greg Hicks said his office has determined that the shooting was accidental. He said the police department will try to determine if Patrol Officer Jeffrey Miller violated any departmental policies and procedures when he shot Benjamin Harrell.
The shooting took place June 10 when the two officers responded to a burglary call at a home on Austin Avenue Southwest.
Harrell, who spent two days in the hospital, is recuperating at home, officials said.
Probing armed robbery
HUBBARD -- Township police are investigating an armed robbery at Arby's at North Main Street and Interstate 80.
A white man wearing a mask walked into the restaurant about 9:30 p.m. Wednesday and demanded money at gunpoint, witnesses said. An employee handed over cash.
Anyone with information is asked to call police at (330) 534-8477.
After 3 principals leave,school starts searching
NEWTON FALLS -- School district officials are scouring r & eacute;sum & eacute;s to come up with new elementary, junior high and high school principals after a spate of resignations at the end of the school year.
Gone are Richard Hura, principal at the high school; David Phillips, junior high principal; and Milajean Harkabus, Arlington Elementary principal.
The school board reviewed 27 r & eacute;sum & eacute;s for the openings during a closed session Wednesday.
Investigating fire
NILES -- Firefighters are investigating a blaze that caused about $5,000 damage to a garage early today.
Firefighters were called to Victor Avenue about 2:40.
Council pulls objectionto renewal of permit
WARREN -- City council withdrew its objection to the renewal of a liquor permit for Austin Beverage at 2819 W. Market St.
Councilwoman Susan E. Hartman, D-7th, said council initially objected to the renewal because of previous citations of sales to underage people.
The store has agreed to participate in the police department's Cops in Shops program, where undercover police arrest underage people who try to buy alcohol.
The store also will fire any employee who sells to minors. Council also passed a resolution notifying the Ohio Division of Liquor Control of its objection to the transfer of ownership of a liquor permit at North Side Market, North Park Ave.
Legislation sponsor Councilman Alford L. Novak, D-2nd, cited a criminal record of the prospective transferee that includes alcohol sales to minors as the reason for the objection.
Drug-court funding
WARREN -- Trumbull County commissioners have increased funding for the county drug court, to compensate for the reduction of state funds for the three-year-old program.
On Tuesday, the commissioners put in an additional $8,000 for the program, which is run by Judge Andrew Logan. The county had already been paying $33,000 a year for the $133,000 program.
Trumbull commissionwill receive award
WARREN -- The Trumbull County Planning Commission will be one of eight agencies statewide to receive a Governor's Award for Excellence from the Ohio Office of Housing and Community Partnerships.
The award is based on the commission's Community Assessment Strategy, a planning document turned into the state in June, and also on recent grant applications.
The award will be presented at the Ohio Conference of Community Development annual banquet in Cochocton.
School board to meet
LIBERTY -- The board of education will meet in special session at 4:30 p.m. Monday in the board conference room to discuss a permanent improvement levy.
Part of dam will close
HERMITAGE, Pa. -- Illegal use of alcohol and other behavior have prompted the Army Corps of Engineers to close the area below the Shenango Dam at 9 p.m. every day.
Fishing still will be permitted, but all other activities are prohibited after 9.