Sheriff's office probes death of Butler infant
Sheriff's office probesdeath of Butler infant
LISBON -- The Columbiana County Sheriff's Department is investigating the death of a Butler Township infant.
Ashton Elizabeth Howells was hospitalized May 14 with "questionable injuries," Sgt. Allan Young said Tuesday.
Those injuries, which included a fractured skull, blood on the brain and a bruised liver, are prompting the inquiry into Ashton's death, Young explained.
The baby, born Feb. 25, died Thursday in Akron Children's Hospital. A coroner's ruling has yet to be made.
Ashton was the child of Rachel Alfrey and Christopher Howells of 30497 Carey Road, Young said.
He would not comment on what the baby's parents said in accounting for how she was injured.
On May 17, Ashton's 3-year-old twin siblings were temporarily placed in foster care by county juvenile court.
Owners orderedto fix up properties
LISBON -- Village officials have sent letters to about 60 property owners telling them to improve their property or be hauled into municipal court.
Mayor Jeff Snyder said Tuesday that the letter cites a village ordinance requiring owners to keep up the appearance of their property by mowing and painting. Snyder said the ordinance hadn't been strictly enforced in the past, but village officials had been receiving complaints about some properties and decided to send the letters.
Snyder said the village would allow property owners 60 days to comply. Violations could bring fines of $100 for every day the property is not in compliance.
Man arraignedin robbery of bakery
SHARON, Pa. -- Police said they arrested a Youngstown man in the April 6 armed robbery of Metz Bakery at 981 Division St.
Everette R. Johnson, 20, of Early Road, Youngstown, was arraigned Tuesday before District Justice James McMahon on charges of robbery, conspiracy, theft and receiving stolen property. He is in Mercer County Jail with bond set at $10,000.
Police said he and a second man entered the bakery armed with a rifle and a handgun and took a small amount of cash from a clerk.
Bakery workers were able to get the license plate number on the car the robbers fled in, and Youngstown police spotted Johnson driving that vehicle April 9 and arrested him. Johnson was returned to Mercer County on Tuesday morning to face the robbery charges. The second robbery suspect is still at large.
Cigarette causes fire
NEW CASTLE, Pa. -- A cigarette put in a trash bin by a visitor caused a fire in the downstairs portion of a duplex at 330 Shaw St. New Castle Fire Chief James Donston said the blaze started at 7:35 p.m. Fire damaged the adjacent kitchen and smoke filtered throughout the house, he said. Mary Kelly lives in the bottom portion of the house, Donston said. David Garza, who lives in the second floor of the duplex, owns the building. No one was injured, the chief said.
Jewelry store robbed
BOARDMAN -- Two men made away with more than $5,000 from a jewelry store at Southern Park Mall on Market Street, township police said. A 23-year-old employee of International Jewelry told police that the men, in their 20s, were trying on jewelry about 3:30 p.m. Friday when they fled without paying. Among the items stolen were a charm of Christ's face, a bracelet, a necklace and a ring.
Meat, cheese stolen
BOARDMAN -- Someone stole several cases of meat and cheese from the Subway sandwich shop at 5052 Youngstown-Poland Road, township police said. The owner of the shop said he was doing inventory Monday when he discovered cases of roast beef, ham, turkey, cold cuts and provolone cheese missing. The items were valued at about $850.
Fire in vacant house
YOUNGSTOWN -- Seventeen firefighters responded to a fire at a vacant house around 4:15 a.m. today at 36 N. Schenley Ave. on the West Side. Cause of the fire, which started near an interior stairwell of the three-story house, is under investigation. Damage to the $40,000 house is estimated at $15,000.