Man charged after raid

Man charged after raid
YOUNGSTOWN -- Sam Jones, 45, of Oxford Avenue was arrested on a charge of trafficking in marijuana at 6:30 p.m. Thursday after a police raid at 1144 Berkley Ave.
Police said they found 16 bags of suspected marijuana on a coffee table.
Emergency postpones trial
YOUNGSTOWN -- The trial of Arthur Barron, which was scheduled to begin Monday in Mahoning County Common Pleas Court, has been postponed until Feb. 18.
According to court documents, the trial was delayed to allow defense attorney Douglas B. Taylor to attend to a family medical emergency in the Dayton area.
Barron, 29, of Carroll Street, is accused of killing 32-year-old John Cannell of Youngstown in November 2002. Police said Cannell was trying to get back his wife's wedding ring, which she had traded for crack cocaine. Barron was tried in February, but Judge James C. Evans declared a mistrial after jurors were unable to reach a unanimous verdict.
Barron remains in the county jail while he awaits another trial.
Panel cancels meeting
YOUNGSTOWN -- The city's charter review commission canceled its scheduled meeting Thursday after drawing just three of its 11 members.
The commission is to meet at 4:30 p.m. Jan. 29 in the city council caucus room. The discussion is expected to center on the number of council members the city needs and how much they should be paid.
Discussing distress grant
GIRARD -- The city will hold a meeting at 6:30 p.m. Thursday in city council chambers to discuss a grant application for the West Side.
The Ohio Department of Development community distress grant is designed to target those living on the west side of U.S. Route 422. The meeting is to explain grant requirements and gather ideas for the types of improvements that are needed.
Dark Xmas convention
AUSTINTOWN -- Regional filmmakers and several big-name science fiction and horror actors will be available for questions and autographs during the Dark Xmas convention.
The event -- set for 4-10 p.m. today, 10 a.m.-8 p.m. Saturday and 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Sunday -- will take place at the Youngstown Inn, 1051 North Niles Road, near Interstate 80 and state Route 46.
Featured at the convention will be Robin Curtis, who appeared in several "Star Trek" movies; Michael Sheard, who was Admiral Ozzel in "The Empire Strikes Back"; Robyn Griggs, star of "One Life to Live" and the horror movie "Dead Planet"; local filmmaker William Victor Schotten, who wrote and directed "Dead Life"; and local filmmaker and producer Travis Bowen, who is directing "Shadows In The Woods."
Admission for Dark Xmas is $15 for a one-day pass, or $35 for the weekend.
For information, call the Youngstown Inn at (330) 793-9851.
Sentenced for harassment
GIRARD -- Mary Benton, 64, of School Street, Hubbard, has been sentenced to two months in Trumbull County Jail. Benton was sentenced Thursday by Judge Michael A. Bernard in Girard Municipal Court after being found guilty earlier in the day of telephone harassment.
Benton was sentenced to 180 days in jail with 120 suspended. She reported to the jail to begin her sentence. Benton was also ordered to pay a $1,000 fine and court costs. After Benton completes the jail time, she will serve two years' probation.
The complaint was filed by a neighbor.
Suit filed against Warren
WARREN -- A Champion Township man is suing the city, alleging he was subjected to illegal body cavity searches by police officers.
Adam Carson, of Aspen Drive, filed a lawsuit Thursday in Trumbull County Common Pleas Court naming the city, Mayor Hank Angelo and Safety-Service Director Fred Harris as defendants. Angelo declined to comment this morning.
The suit alleges that officers arrested Carson on April 17, 2002, on charges of a probation violation and driving under suspension, took him to the police station and conducted a body cavity search on him. It further states that Carson was illegally strip-searched when he was taken to the station Nov. 9, 2002, on traffic charges.
The suit contends the mayor and Harris were negligent in their duties for not properly training and supervising the police officers.
Choir festival benefit
SALEM -- A choir festival is set for 3 p.m. Sunday at First United Methodist Church, 244 South Broadway Ave.
Nine choirs will be featured in the event, for which donations will be sought.
Proceeds will benefit the Grace Dyball Scholarships, given to Salem schools juniors and seniors who will major in music in college. The Lois Frost Piano and Organ Memorial Fund also will benefit.