Soldiers honored in Lawrence County

Soldiers honoredin Lawrence County
NEW CASTLE, Pa. -- Eleven men were honored Thursday as part of a ceremony commemorating POW/MIA day in Lawrence County. Relatives of two Lawrence County men missing in action from the Korean War accepted gifts on behalf of the men. Nine others who were prisoners of war in World War II, Korea and Vietnam were also honored. The New Castle Honor Guard and American Legion Post 343 participated in the program, which was coordinated by the county Veterans Affairs office.
No new trial for Monus
YOUNGSTOWN -- A federal judge has overruled Mickey Monus' request for a new trial, saying the former Phar-Mor owner waited too long to file it. Monus is serving more than 11 years in prison for fraud and embezzlement. His attorneys filed the request in March 2001, saying there was new evidence in the case, but Judge Peter C. Economus of U.S. District Court, Youngstown, ruled this week that it was filed too late. The court record does not indicate what new evidence Monus intended to offer.
Canines cleared
COITSVILLE -- After the Thursday arrest of a Pulaski, Pa., driver on a DUI charge, two puppies found inside the car "although not under arrest, were taken to the Coitsville police station where they were given fresh water and treats," Lt. Allan P. Morris said in his report. The driver, Bette M. Coe, 63, was seen holding a beer can in one hand, Morris said. The puppies were released to the driver's daughter "on their own recognizance," Morris wrote. The officer said he would contact the prosecutor about filing animal cruelty charges because the driver had the puppies loose in the car and spilled beer on one of them.
Mischief chargefiled against man, 53
BOARDMAN -- A 53-year-old Youngstown man has been charged with criminal mischief after police say he left "bodily fluids" on the door handle of a woman's car in the parking lot of a store on Doral Drive on Thursday.
Police say Ralph J. Perrico followed the woman from another store to the Doral Drive location before putting a sticky substance on the car.
A sample of it is being tested to determine what it is.
Boardman police are asking anyone who has a similar allegation involving Perrico to contact them.
Mental health boardOKs $16.7M budget
YOUNGSTOWN -- The Mahoning County Mental Health Board approved a 2002-03 budget of $16,748,000, up from the 2001-02 budget of $15,867,000.
Despite an anticipated increase in grant and Medicaid billings, the budget includes a reduction in funding to several mental health agencies totaling $157,000 because of decreased funding from the Ohio Department of Mental Health, officials said.
Restaurant Revue
SHARON, Pa. -- The United Way of Mercer County should net about $15,000 from its annual Restaurant Revue, the start of its fall campaign.
Jim Micsky, executive director, said nearly 500 people turned out for the $35-a-plate event Thursday at The Rosemont Banquet & amp; Conference Center on Sterling Avenue.
"We had a great evening," Micsky said, noting that 21 area restaurants brought their specialty items to The Rosemont for people to sample.
The food and the facility were donated so that all of the funds raised -- minus some minor expenses -- go into the campaign pot.
The United Way is looking for $1,150,000 this year to fund about two dozen human service agencies working in the Mercer County area.