Faulty fireplace blamed for fire in uninsured house

Faulty fireplace blamed for fire in uninsured house
BROOKFIELD -- A faulty fireplace is being blamed for a house fire Thursday that caused between $20,000 to $25,000 in damage. There were no injuries.
A township fire official said firefighters were called to the one-story house at 930 N. Albright-McKay Road about 10 p.m.
The renter, David Hackett, tried to put the fire out but couldn't.
The official said flames went up the interior wall and into the attic and roof.
The structure was not insured.
Man charged with DUI, leaving scene of accident
HERMITAGE, Pa. -- A State Street man was arrested after a crash near his home.
Police said Robert Metz, 50, is charged with driving under the influence, possession of drug paraphernalia, leaving the scene of an accident and speeding.
They said he was traveling east on East State Street when his 1992 Ford Probe crashed into the back of a 1995 Ford Aspire driven by Merilyn Gibbs, 45, of Kinsman, Ohio, at 3:10 a.m. Thursday.
Police said Metz ran off but was caught by a passerby and brought back to wait for police.
Police later found a marijuana pipe on him, they said.
Gibbs' passenger, Elizabeth Gibbs, 12, was treated by paramedics for a cut on her head.
Television stolen
SALEM -- A television was stolen from a residence on the 600 block of East Sixth Street, police said.
Between 7 p.m. Tuesday and 1:20 p.m. Wednesday, someone kicked open the rear door of the residence and took the television.
Variances for additions being considered
SALEM -- The city zoning appeals board will consider granting variances for additions when it meets at 7 p.m. Monday at city hall.
Jean Bradley wants to construct a 12-foot-by-12-foot addition at 650 Woodland Avenue.
Dr. Benjamin Franciso is seeking a variance to build a 12-foot-by-25-foot addition to a garage at 861 Summit St.
SUV crashes into Yamaha; merchandise stolen
CHAMPION -- Police say someone driving a sports utility vehicle crashed into the front of Yamaha of Warren, 4807 Mahoning Ave., early today and stole three trail bikes and two four-wheelers.
Police Chief Dennis Steinbeck said the thefts took place about 4:45 a.m. When the officer arrived at the store, he found the SUV still running.
The vehicle was stolen from Doylestown, Ohio, Steinbeck said.
He noted that those involved must have used another vehicle to leave the scene.
Anyone who may have seen anything is asked to call the township police station.
Random drug testing proposal is challenged
BEAVER, Pa. (AP) -- The Beaver Area School Board wants administrators to develop a drug policy that would let any pupil be randomly tested for drugs if his or her parents approve of the testing and agree to pay for it.
The state Supreme Court last week rejected Delaware Valley School District's attempt to have a lawsuit in Pike County dismissed, meaning a legal challenge seeking to block the testing can continue.
In its ruling, the court said discouraging drug use is not a good enough reason to justify "suspicionless" drug screening targeted at athletes, parking-permit holders and participants in extracurricular activities.
Beaver Area school officials believe their policy will be legal even if the state Supreme Court ruling stands because they're not targeting any specific group of pupils.
School board member Frank Bovalino proposed the idea to save the district money while giving all parents an option to have their children tested randomly for drug use.
Police look into reports of vehicles struck by rocks
NEW STANTON, Pa. (AP) -- State police were investigating several reports of vehicles struck by rocks near the New Stanton interchange of the Pennsylvania Turnpike on Wednesday night.
Some people inside a sport utility vehicle were taken to a hospital when they were hit by glass shattered by one of the rocks.
At least three other motorists reported that their vehicles were damaged by softball-size rocks thrown from a retaining wall near the interchange or from another spot about two miles east.
Police said they began receiving reports of rocks thrown from the eastward location after they began investigating reports of rocks thrown from the retaining wall.
The first reports came in about 10:30 p.m. Wednesday, police said.