Petitions approved

Petitions approved
LISBON -- Candidacy petitions for Charles Brown of Yorkville, who's seeking the Democratic nomination for the 6th U.S. Congressional District, have been approved. The Columbiana County elections board took the action Friday, two days after denying a challenge to Brown's petitions. The challenge was filed by John Abdalla, Jefferson County Democratic Party chairman. It was based on a discrepancy in Brown's home address. The 6th District includes Columbiana and Jefferson counties, and part of Mahoning County.
Assault during game
SHARON, Pa . -- Nathan Sample, 19, of Hazelton Street, Masury, was freed on his own recognizance after his arraignment on charges of assault on a sports official and disorderly conduct. Police said Sample turned himself in around 1 p.m. Monday after learning a warrant had been issued for his arrest. Police said Sample apparently became enraged at a referee's call during a sixth-grade basketball game between Brookfield and Notre Dame students at St. Michael's School in Sharon on Feb. 23. Sample is accused of going onto the court during the game and assaulting the referee, pushing him into the stands. Police were called to the scene but Sample left before they got there. The referee wasn't hurt, police said.
Woman assaulted
HOWLAND -- Police are investigating an assault in the parking lot of Home Depot on Niles-Cortland Road that sent a Pennsylvania woman to the hospital.
Howland police say Edna Freeman, 66, of Fredonia, Pa., was attacked while walking to her car around 7 p.m. Sunday. She was treated at Sharon Regional Hospital.
Witnesses told police they saw two men, likely 18 to 20 years old, pull up alongside Freeman in a silver or gray Cadillac. One man reached out and punched Freeman in the midsection, causing her to fall and somersault.
The passenger got out, laughed at Freeman and grabbed her purse, a report states.
The men were described as white, with short, dark hair. One had sparse facial hair.
Auto body shop fire
NEW CASTLE, Pa. -- Fire officials are still investigating the cause of a blaze that partially destroyed an auto body shop on South Mill Street. Nick's Auto Body caught fire about 9 a.m. Sunday and suffered about $750,000 damage, firefighters said. They are unsure of the cause but don't believe it was suspicious. No one was working when the fire started, fire officials said. Firefighters said they believe three cars inside the body shop were destroyed by the blaze and others in a nearby addition had heat damage. Only part of the building burned, but other areas of the building had heat and water damage, they said.
Wilt files petitions
GREENVILLE, Pa. -- State Rep. Rod E. Wilt of Greenville, R-17th, filed nominating petitions Monday seeking a fourth two-year term in the House of Representatives. The 17th includes 42 municipalities in Mercer, Crawford and Lawrence counties. Wilt is a member of the Labor Relations, Tourism and Recreational Development, Game and Fisheries, Republican Policy and Liquor Control committees in the House. He is a member of several community boards, including Keystone Blind Association, United Way of Northern Mercer County, St. Michael School and the Thiel College Board of Trustees.
Drug arrests
SHARON, Pa. -- Police arrested two people and said more arrests are pending in drug raid at a home in the 300 block of East Budd Street. Officers arrested Scott M. Hays, 41, of Warren Road, Franklin, early Sunday on a charge of possession of cocaine with intent to deliver. The resident of the property, Cheryl Cannon, 41, was arrested on charges of possession of cocaine, possession with intent to deliver, possession of drug paraphernalia and criminal conspiracy. Both were arraigned and Cannon remained in Mercer County Jail this morning after failing to post $10,000 bond. Hays posted bond and was released.