UPS building fire

UPS building fire
GIRARD -- Arson investigators continue to search for the cause of a fire that destroyed several trucks inside the United Parcel Service building. The fire broke out around 4 p.m. Sunday, damaging the trucks and causing smoke damage to packages and other areas of the building at 800 Trumbull Ave. Initial reports say the damage totaled $1 million. No injuries were reported. Firefighters from Girard, Liberty, Vienna and Weathersfield Township responded.
Meeting canceled
KINSMAN -- Trustees have canceled the regular meeting scheduled for Dec. 22. The final meeting of the year will be at 6:30 p.m. Dec. 29 in the township garage. A reorganization meeting for 2004 will be held at 6:30 Jan. 12.
Pedestrian killed by train
SALEM -- Authorities say they are uncertain what prompted a Perry Township man to try to outrun the train that struck and killed him. Herman Schukert, 37, 350 Plymouth Place, died near the railroad crossing on South Ellsworth Avenue, south of Aetna Street, police said. Schukert was on foot, heading north along South Ellsworth at about 12:24 a.m. Sunday, when he tried to dash across the tracks as a westbound, nine-car Norfolk Southern train approached the crossing. Schukert was hit by the locomotive and thrown, police said.
Double left-turn lane
EAST LIVERPOOL -- State department of transportation crews will be installing signs that advise motorists that two lanes of traffic can make the left turn at the intersection of state Route 170 and Irish Ridge Road. The traffic change, which takes effect Tuesday morning, is in Calcutta, a commercial district north of the city. State officials say the change from a single to a double left-turn lane at the crossroad is aimed at reducing traffic in the busy area.
Three escape house fire
SALEM -- The cause of a house fire is unknown but doesn't appear suspicious, a fire department spokesman said. Firefighters were called about 5:10 a.m. today to the home of Sandra Eddinger, 651 Prospect St., after fire broke out in a third-floor attic bedroom. Eddinger and her two children, ages 16 and 10, were at home when the fire started. They escaped, and no injuries were reported. Loss to the three-story wood frame house is estimated at $7,500. The house is owned by Sherri Henson. Officials think she lives in Akron.
Attempted abduction
NEW CASTLE, Pa. -- Police are investigating an attempted abduction of a 27-year-old woman on Highland Avenue. Police said the woman was walking on the street at 12:58 a.m. Saturday when two men got out of a cream- or gold-colored four-door car and told her they wanted to take her to a party. Police said four other men were in the car. All were in their late teens or early 20s. The woman said they smelled of alcohol and marijuana. Police said the woman refused and they tried to force her into the car. She struggled with the men and they eventually let her go and drove off, police said.
Horse and buggy collision
WEST MIDDLESEX, Pa. -- When a motor vehicle collides with a horse and buggy, it's usually the latter that gets the most damage. Pennsylvania State Police said that may not have been the case in such a collision at 5:30 p.m. Sunday on the Bethel-New Wilmington Road in Wilmington Township. Glen Oswald was backing out of his driveway when his minivan was hit by a passing horse and buggy, police said. Oswald told police the buggy had no lights on and either the horse or buggy struck the right rear of his van, causing minor damage. The buggy driver continued on his way without stopping, police said.