LOCAL

LOCAL
Thiel player dies
GREENVILLE, Pa. -- A 19-year-old Thiel College basketball player died Thursday morning after complaining he had trouble breathing, authorities said.
Freshman Shawn Walton, of East Liverpool died at a hospital after he stopped breathing in a dormitory, Mercer County Deputy Coroner Cris Loutzenhiser said.
Authorities said they had few clues about what may have caused the 6-foot-4, 225-pound Walton's death. An autopsy was scheduled for today.
Donald Aubrecht, chief of the college's police department, said police did not suspect foul play and officers found no medication in Walton's room that could have contributed to his death.
Walton had four points and three rebounds in four games this season. He played about 10 minutes a game.
Garry Smith stillthe Boardman coach
BOARDMAN -- Contrary to reports Thursday night, Garry Smith remains coach of the Boardman High football team. At least for now.
No action has been taken on Smith's contract, Boardman principal Timothy Saxton said Thursday night. The next board of education meeting is scheduled for Monday at 5 p.m.
The Spartans went 1-9 last season, Smith's seventh as coach of the program. He holds a career mark of 42-38.
Beene elected to chair
YOUNGSTOWN -- John Beene has been elected to chair the 2004 Youngstown Bowling Association Hall of Fame selection committee.
The last day to submit applications for hall of fame candidates is Feb. 28.
Forms are available at area bowling establishments and at the YBA office at 7255 Glendale in Boardman.
The YBA Hall of Fame class will be elected on March 28. Selections will be honored at the annual awards dinner in June, 2004.
Assisting Beene as the selection committee's permanent board members are: Frank Toman (vice chairman), Andy Chicase (secretary), John Bossone, Jack Carter, Joe Haus, Jackie Martin, Russ Turner, Ted Bundy. Outside members are: Tom Janosik (Bowladrome Lanes), Norma Diver (Amron Lanes). Outside representatives are: Bill Bahny, Tom Hood, Roy Reese Sr., Nick Amendola and Napoleon Hill.
REGION
Indians to play hostto Reds next season
CLEVELAND -- Baseball's Battle of Ohio will be back at Jacobs Field next season after all.
The Indians announced Thursday they will renew their interleague rivalry with the Reds at home with a three-game series at the Jake from June 11-13.
The Indians were originally scheduled to play host to the Montreal Expos on those dates. However, the club asked Major League Baseball to drop the Expos and replace them with the Reds.
The Indians will play at Cincinnati on July 2-4.
Davis not interested in Nebraska
BEREA -- Cleveland Browns coach Butch Davis tried to end persistent rumors by saying he has no interest in interviewing for the Nebraska coaching job.
Davis said he liked Cornhuskers athletic director Steve Pederson, but the coach told his agent Marvin Demoff a few weeks ago to politely decline if the school called.
Judge says Stringer's survivors owe
MINNEAPOLIS -- The survivors of Korey Stringer owe the Minnesota Vikings and other defendants in the family's lawsuit more than $47,000, a judge ruled.
Hennepin County District Judge Gary Larson ruled that plaintiffs Kelci Stringer, the player's widow, his estate, and his parents, James Stringer and Cathy Reed-Stringer, are responsible for $47,588.03 that defendants spent on expert witnesses, depositions, medical records, court fees and other lawsuit-related expenses.
The judge filed the order this week. In April, Larson threw out most of the lawsuit's claims and dismissed the allegations of negligence against the Vikings and their employees.
NATION
More players testify
SAN FRANCISCO -- Baseball sluggers Jason Giambi and Gary Sheffield, boxer Shane Mosley and Oakland Raiders teammates Bill Romanowski and Barret Robbins were among the latest athletes to appear before a grand jury probing a nutritional supplements lab.
Also appearing was Jeremy Giambi, the younger brother of Jason.
Athletes from four sports -- football, baseball, swimming, and track and field -- have appeared before the grand jury: The group includes baseball's Barry Bonds; track's Marion Jones and her boyfriend, 100-meter world record-holder Tim Montgomery; six NFL players, and Olympic champion swimmer Amy Van Dyken.
Vindicator staff/wire reports