Competent for trial

Competent for trial
LISBON -- A Knox Township man charged with aggravated murder and attempted aggravated murder is competent to stand trial.
Judge David Tobin of Columbiana County Common Pleas Court made that determination during a hearing Thursday regarding Gregory Doak, 44, of Knox School Road.
Doak's mental status, including his competency to stand trial, was evaluated at the request of Doak's attorney, Charles Amato of Wellsville.
Doak, whose trial is set for Dec. 9, is charged in the April 7 shooting death of Teresa Stoffer, 42, of Knox Township. Stoffer was a friend of Doak's estranged wife, Angela, 39, also of Knox Township. Doak also is accused of attempting to kill his wife.
He faces a maximum life sentence if convicted of aggravated murder and a 10-year maximum term if convicted of the attempted aggravated murder.
He is being held in the county jail.
Home burglarized
LISBON -- An unspecified amount of cash was taken during a break-in at a home on the 2000 block of Southeast Boulevard, police said.
The burglar entered through a bedroom window sometime between 6:30 and 9 p.m. Thursday, police said.
Girl Scout fund-raiser
The Lake to River Girl Scout Council is sponsoring a nut snack sale through Oct. 27. Products range from gift packages of deluxe nut products at $6 and $7 to canned snacks priced at $3.50.
All orders will be delivered in time for Thanksgiving.
New this year are the All American Snacks Cookbook for $6, a gingerbread-scented candle, also $6, and two chocolates.
Contact a local Girl Scout to place your order, or call the council at (800) 362-9430.
The Lake to River Council provides programs for girls ages 5 through 17 in Trumbull, Mahoning, Columbiana and Ashtabula counties.
Burning ban lifted
NEW CASTLE, Pa. -- City Fire Chief James Donston has lifted a ban on burning for New Castle residents. Residents had been prohibited from burning rubbish Saturdays because of drought conditions.
Donston said he will continue to monitor the weather to determine if burning will be allowed. Only people with city permits are allowed to burn rubbish Saturday afternoons.
Last month, city council agreed to ban all rubbish burning in the city, but those who purchased the two-year permits before the vote are allowed to continue burning until their permits expire.
Guilty in firearm sales
PITTSBURGH -- A third man has pleaded guilty in federal court to knowingly selling a firearm or ammunition to a person not allowed to own firearms at a New Castle gun shop.
Alexander Pagley Sr., 56, of Coffee Run Road, Pulaski, Lawrence County, entered a guilty plea before U.S. District Judge Gary L. Lancaster. According to the U.S. attorney's office, Pagley worked in Pete's Bait and Sport, a gun shop on Mahoning Avenue, and on four occasions from March 15 to April 27, 2001, sold nine firearms, through a "straw purchaser," to a felon who was prohibited from buying or possessing weapons. A "straw purchase" occurs when someone buys a firearm for another person.
Two other men, Alexander Pagley Jr., 33, of West Terrace Avenue and Jeffrey Natale, 40, of Sunnyside Avenue, pleaded guilty earlier this week to identical charges.
All three men will be sentenced Jan. 10 and face up to 10 years in prison and a $250,000 fine.
Wampum man hired
NEW CASTLE, Pa. -- The Neshannock Area School Board hired Paul Makarevich of Wampum as supervisor of curriculum and instruction.
Makarevich was hired at a salary of $79,500. He has been serving as principal of Slippery Rock Middle School since 1993. He previously served 14 years in the Shenango School District as teacher and assistant principal.
Neshannock Superintendent Michael Hink said after the board's meeting Thursday that the board hopes to have Makarevich on board by the end of November.
Krakusy meeting
YOUNGSTOWN -- There will be a special meeting to decide the future of the Free Polish Krakusy Society at 1 p.m. Sunday at the Krakusy building, 2205 South Ave.
All current society members are urged to attend the meeting, which will focus on the organization's future as well as the fate of Krakusy Hall.
Union endorsements
CANFIELD -- Atty. Diane Vettori of Canfield, who is running for a seat on the Mahoning County Court bench, has received the endorsements of the Greater Youngstown AFL-CIO Council and the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees Ohio Council.