Burn victim's condition

Burn victim's condition
STRUTHERS -- Andrew Strickland, 33, of Fourth Street remained in critical condition today in the burn unit of Akron Children's Hospital. Strickland jumped from his burning third-floor apartment about 1 a.m. Saturday, according to Brian Stellato, an engineer with the Struthers Fire Department. The cause of the fire is under investigation.
Slain man identified
YOUNGSTOWN -- The man shot to death Saturday afternoon at 743 Parkview Ave. has been identified as Jefferson Smith Sr., 57. Police, who were alerted by Smith's daughter, found him lying on a bed with a gunshot wound to the head and a pillow partially covering his face. The pillow had a bullet hole. Police said they found evidence of drug activity in the house. Smith's death is the city's 29th homicide of the year. The city had recorded 22 homicides at this time last year.
Mafia Hall of Fame
YOUNGSTOWN -- Sam Moffie said today that his Mafia Hall of Fame is still in the planning stage, but he believes it will be successful in the Stambaugh Building downtown. Moffie, of Boardman, said he envisions a 1920s Chicago-style nightclub on the first floor, which now houses the BW-3 restaurant. Moffie, who operates Bill's Place in Austintown and the Coconut Grove in Youngstown, has already named a sandwich for imprisoned ex-congressman James A. Traficant Jr. The Traficant sandwich will have two pieces of white bread and lots of baloney. Moffie said the bar-restaurant concept, which includes hotel rooms, organized crime exhibits, gift shop, Warner Brothers' memorabilia and meeting rooms, will take about two years to bring to reality. Moffie believes the hall of fame will turn the area's negative image into a positive one.
Music club's 'Messiah'
NEW CASTLE, Pa. -- All singers are invited to participate in the New Castle Music Club Chorus as it presents its 62nd annual performance of George Frideric Handel's "Messiah" at 1 p.m. Dec. 1 at First United Methodist Church. Rehearsals are from 7 to 9 p.m. Mondays at First Presbyterian Church, on the corner of North Jefferson and Falls streets, Sept. 30-Nov. 25. Refreshments will follow. High-school students are welcome.
Drug charge
COITSVILLE -- Jackie S. Holland, 25, of Boyles Avenue, New Castle, Pa., was arrested on a drug possession charge after police found 25 pieces of suspected crack cocaine inside the gas tank door of the rented Ford he was driving Sunday afternoon on U.S. Route 422. Police said they approached Holland after he failed to stop for a red light. He gave them someone else's name and date of birth. Holland also faces charges of driving with a suspended license and falsification to avoid a citation.