Lawyer held captive; man is jailed afterward

Lawyer held captive;man is jailed afterward
NILES -- A 38-year-old man accused of holding a local attorney captive Monday morning remains in jail on a charge of robbery.
Scott Kidd, no address listed, is accused of forcing the Robbins Avenue lawyer to remain in his home while he searched for a safe that did not exist, police said.
According to reports, the man visited the attorney Friday, asking for legal help for a friend. The lawyer said he could not help, but Kidd returned Monday.
Reports say Kidd pulled a semi-automatic gun from his coat and demanded the lawyer open a safe. When the attorney told him there was no safe, Kidd forced him on a search.
The attorney fled when Kidd's back was turned and flagged down an officer parked nearby. Kidd was taken into custody without incident.
He is being held on $50,000 bond.
Contract talks
NEWTON FALLS -- Both sides are awaiting resumption of talks in contract negotiations between the school district and the union representing its support staff.
No talks had been set as of this morning.
The union had issued a 10-day strike notice, but rescinded it Sunday after a four-hour bargaining session to continue working toward an agreement.
Before the workers can strike, the union would have to issue another 10-day notice, officials for the union and the district have said.
Essay contest winners
WARREN -- Forum Health and Trumbull Lifelines have announced the winners of the "Express Yourself" essay contest.
Students in 21 Trumbull County high schools were given the opportunity to write essays to raise awareness of mental health issues and the services available to families with school-age children.
Each high school conducted an internal contest to select their representative.
The winners were Dale Gaskins, Newton Falls High School, first; Alison Guerrieri, McDonald High School, second; and Emily Rech, Lordstown High School, third.
Hubbard school board
HUBBARD -- The board of education will conduct a special work session Monday at 6 p.m. in the board room at 150 Hall Ave.
Animal league auction
WARREN -- Tickets are on sale through Dec. 20 for the Trumbull County Animal Welfare League's Chinese auction.
They may be bought from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. at the organization's Thrift and Gift Shoppe, The Menagerie, 1010 N. Park Ave. Cost is $1 each or $5 for six.
The drawing is at 2 p.m. Dec. 20 at The Menagerie. Winners do not have to be present.
Food for needy
YOUNGSTOWN -- Save-A-Lot, American Farms Produce and radio station K-105 have joined to collect and deliver food to Second Harvest Food Bank for distribution to needy families in Mahoning, Columbiana, Trumbull and Stark counties.
Through Nov. 21, nonperishable food items may be dropped off at Save-A-Lot stores in Champion, Warren, Columbiana, Wellsville, Alliance, Liberty, Youngstown and Austintown.
Hallmark store robbed
NEW CASTLE, Pa. -- A man buying a birthday card for his mother demanded cash from the register at Mary Ann's Hallmark store in Westgate Plaza, Union Township.
State police said the man walked up to the counter and engaged the clerks in polite conversation before demanding the money at 7:45 p.m. Monday. He ran to the rear of the plaza and disappeared near Lower Idlewild Drive.
He was described as a white man in his late 20s or early 30s, about 6 feet tall, with thin build. He discarded a red hooded pullover jacket with "New Castle Red Hurricanes" embroidered on it.