Traficant files appeal

Traficant files appeal
CLEVELAND -- A notice of appeal has been filed by U.S. Rep. James A. Traficant Jr., of Poland, D-17th. The congressman, convicted of racketeering, bribery and tax evasion, intends to appeal a decision Tuesday by U.S. District Judge Lesley Brooks Wells to deny him a new trial. He contends, among other things, that the jury selection process was unconstitutional. A jury convicted him April 11 and sentencing is set for July 30. Traficant's appeal will be handled by the United States Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit in Cincinnati.
Bank robbery suspect being held in Pittsburgh
COLUMBIANA -- Police say a man suspected in the May 31 robbery of National City Bank on state Route 164 in Sparkle Plaza is being held in the Allegheny County Jail in Pittsburgh.
The 47-year-old Monaca, Pa., man was arrested Thursday by Pittsburgh police in a bank robbery in Pittsburgh, Columbiana police said.
Columbiana police had filed charges against the man nearly two weeks ago in the robbery in Columbiana.
He is being held in jail awaiting a court appearance.
It has yet to be determined whether he will face federal or state charges.
Unique burglary attempt
SHARON, Pa. -- Police said a someone chopped a hole through the roof to get into City Line Foods at 1143 Division St., but apparently took nothing, police said. The burglary occurred sometime overnight Wednesday, and police said store employees didn't notice the hole in the back room roof until it started raining Thursday.
Hearing delayed
NEW CASTLE, Pa. -- A preliminary hearing for Christopher Herbin, charged with criminal homicide and recklessly endangering another person in the Saturday slaying of an Altman Road man, has been delayed until July 15. Herbin, 26, of North Liberty Street, is accused of fatally wounding Alfredo Soto, 20, as Soto walked near his Altman Road home around 1 a.m. He died an hour later in Jameson Memorial Hospital.
Witnesses led police to identify Herbin as the shooter, and he was picked up at his home around 1 a.m. Sunday. He is being held in the Lawrence County Jail without bond. His hearing was set for today, but District Justice Melissa Amodie has moved it to 9 a.m. July 15. She gave no reason for the delay.
Unions support Ryan
WARREN -- The six IUE-CWA locals in the Mahoning Valley threw their support behind Timothy J. Ryan's candidacy for the 17th Congressional District, giving $5,000 to the Democrat's campaign.
The six unions -- Local 717 at Delphi Packard Electric Systems in Warren, Local 722 at the General Electric Ohio Lamp plant in Warren, Local 716 at Alcan Aluminum in Warren, Local 724 at Paragon Industries in Youngstown, Local 727 at Lexington Seals in Vienna, and Local 734 at the GE Lamp plant in Austintown -- announced their endorsement Thursday of Ryan, a state senator from Niles.
The unions have about 6,000 active members and 6,000 retirees.
The 17th District includes portions of Mahoning, Trumbull, Portage and Summit counties. Other candidates for the congressional seat are Republican Ann Womer Benjamin, a state representative from Aurora, and two independents, U.S. Rep. James A. Traficant Jr. of Poland and Warren Davis, a former labor leader from Bay Village.
Rottweiler shot
SHARON, Pa. -- Police said they were forced to shoot a Rottweiler that attacked another dog in the 300 block of Logan Avenue around 1 a.m. today. The Rottweiler, which had no license or collar, was roaming the area and police responded to a call from residents who were concerned.
The dog was on a porch in the 100 block of Logan when police arrived but walked to the 300 block, where it attacked a dog tied to a porch. The owner of that animal, Kevin McDowell, was bitten on the hand by the Rottweiler when he tried to intervene. Police said they sprayed the attacking dog with chemical Mace and then struck it with batons, but it ignored them and continued to attack the other dog. At that point, an officer shot the dog twice with a handgun, killing it, police said. Police were trying to identify the owner of the Rottweiler this morning.