Blaze began in battery box

Blaze began in battery box
GIRARD -- Fire officials have determined that a Sunday afternoon blaze at the United Parcel Service building started in the battery box of a truck.
Fire Chief Kenneth Bornemiss said Monday that the cause of the $1 million fire has not been determined but said it appears to have been accidental. He said seven delivery trucks and three tractor-trailers were destroyed.
There were no injuries, and UPS employees spent Monday sorting packages outside the Trumbull Avenue building.
Man held on $1M bond
WARREN -- A 48-year-old Youngstown man who has pleaded innocent to an aggravated murder charge is being held in Trumbull County jail in lieu of a $1 million bond. Daryl Brown entered the plea during an arraignment Monday in the courtroom of Judge John Stuard. His co-defendant, Wayne Gilliam, 21, who is incarcerated in Lorain Correctional Institution, is expected to be arraigned today.
Brown and Gilliam are accused by Liberty police of killing Niles J. Emmert, 25, during a drug-related robbery March 15, 2001, at Emmert's Madison Avenue apartment. The weapon was an assault rifle. Gilliam was served with the charges Friday in the prison, where he's serving a sentence of 54 years to life for the murder of a 3-month-old boy on the East Side.
Man tried on rape charges
WARREN -- Testimony is expected to begin today in the trial of a Youngstown man facing numerous rape and gross sexual imposition charges. A jury was selected Monday in Hervey H. Dunn's criminal trial, which is being held in the courtroom of Judge W. Wyatt McKay of Trumbull County Common Pleas Court. Dunn, of Sunshine Street, Youngstown, has pleaded innocent to the 14 counts of rape and five counts of gross sexual imposition involving an 11-year-old girl, officials said. Hubbard Police began investigating allegations in July that Dunn had improper contact with the girl.
African culture celebration
YOUNGSTOWN -- The fourth annual Jabali African Cultural Celebration will be held at Youngstown State University at 7 p.m. Friday in Kilcawley Center's Chestnut Room.
The event will feature a keynote address on "African Popular Culture in America" by Debora Johnson-Ross, professor of political science and international studies at McDaniel College in Maryland.
The evening also will include an African dinner, dance and musical entertainment by African students from YSU. The event is co-sponsored by WKBN TV-27 and Fox 17/62.
Rainbow Rental theft
LIBERTY -- An employee of Rainbow Rental, 3620 Belmont Ave., was strong-armed of store receipts Monday night. The assistant store manager told police he was making a night deposit at the National City Bank on Belmont about 7 p.m. when a man approached on foot and slammed him against the wall until he gave up the deposit bag. The robber fled on foot.
Mercer HazMat deal
MERCER, Pa. -- County commissioners have terminated an agreement for HazMat services with Weavertown Environmental Group, Houston, Pa., replacing the company with McCutcheon Enterprises Inc., Apollo, Pa., on the recommendation of the Local Emergency Planning Commission. No fee will be charged unless services are provided. They also entered an agreement with Staley Wireless LP, Wheeling, W.Va., for the lease of three towers, for a total of $1,170 monthly.
Death likely accidental
SALEM -- The death of a Perry Township man who was hit by a train probably will be ruled accidental, Columbiana County Coroner Dr. William Graham said.
Herman Schukert, 37, 350 Plymouth Place, died of massive injuries, including broken bones and a fractured skull, Dr. Graham said Monday.
Schukert was hit by a westbound train where the tracks cross South Ellsworth Avenue. Authorities said he was walking north on the road about 12:24 a.m. Sunday when he tried to jog across the tracks before the train could block them.
It's unclear where Schukert was walking to, or where he was coming from, Dr. Graham said. Tests are being conducted to determine if Schukert was under the influence of alcohol or drugs, Dr. Graham said.