Easter Seals' $25,000 aid

Easter Seals' $25,000 aid
COLUMBUS -- Attorney General Jim Petro awarded $25,000 in funding to Easter Seals of Mahoning, Trumbull and Columbiana counties. The discretionary funding is made available through various charitable gambling settlements reached on behalf of the state.
Easter Seals was chosen to receive funding because of its continued efforts to help Ohio's adults and children with special needs.
Gunfire hits 2 houses
YOUNGSTOWN -- Two houses in the 3000 block of Rush Boulevard were fired upon late Tuesday and early today.
Around 11 p.m. Tuesday, the first house was hit and police collected two bullets that landed in the living room and kitchen. Five shell casings were found in the street.
At 2:30 a.m. today, someone fired at least six shots into another house nearby, police said. The resident told police the shots were fired from a car.
Annual Christmas dinner
YOUNGSTOWN -- Gleaners Food Bank will have its annual Christmas dinner for the needy between noon and 1 p.m. Thursday at St. Patrick Church on Oak Hill Avenue. Also, toys for children will be given away.
On Saturday, an ice cream giveaway will be between 10 a.m. at noon at the food bank headquarters on Pyatt Street.
Man reports being shot
YOUNGSTOWN -- An Austintown man told police he was shot in his car during a robbery attempt in the 400 block of Otis Street on Tuesday afternoon, reports show.
David Sletvold, 20, of East Rockwell Avenue told police he had $160 in his lap when a man in a Cleveland Browns coat approached, asked for a cigarette and then tried to grab the cash. During a struggle over the money, the robber pulled a gun and fired twice, hitting Sletvold in the right arm and left leg. A woman passenger in the car put the car in gear, and Sletvold drove to St. Elizabeth Health Center.
Arrested in break-in
YOUNGSTOWN -- A search for a church burglar early today on the North Side resulted in the arrest of Derrick G. McIntosh, 34, of North Heights Avenue, reports show. He faces a charge of breaking and entering.
The search began at 2:15 a.m., after police found remnants of a stained-glass window in a trash bin at the Fifth Avenue Community Church, 1361 Fifth Ave., and received a description of the suspect from a witness.
McIntosh was found hiding behind a trash bin on Elm Street. Police said he had minor cuts on his forearms and wrists. McIntosh, according to police, admitted that he broke into the church, and showed them where he had stashed a bag with an assortment of gospel CDs.
Recall on candles
BOARDMAN -- Township firefighters are warning area residents about a recall on candles sold at some Wal-Mart stores.
Home Trends Ice Holiday Collection Candle gift set, Snow House Candle gift set, Snowman Candle gift set and Snowflake Candle gift set manufactured by Qingdao Kingking Applied Chemistry Co. Ltd. of China are being recalled.
Fire officials say the paint on the exterior surface of the candles could sustain a flame, posing a potential fire hazard. The set should be returned to Wal-Mart for a refund, fire officials said.
Dial 911 for ambulance
GIRARD -- City residents are being instructed to dial 911 if they need an ambulance after 11:30 p.m. Monday, when the city terminates its city-operated ambulance service.
Mayor James J. Melfi said that should the need for an ambulance arise, dialing 911 will connect the caller to the police department. A private ambulance will be dispatched.
Disorderly conduct
AUSTINTOWN -- A 17-year-old Idaho Road boy has been charged with disorderly conduct while intoxicated and resisting arrest.
Police received a call at about 11:30 p.m. from the boy's neighbor, who said someone was trying to break into her home. Officers arrived to find the boy sitting on a car outside the neighbor's home. The boy refused to identify himself or cooperate with police and cursed at officers, reports state. He also would not give them information or a phone number so they could contact his parents.
Reports state that the boy was "extremely intoxicated." Police said the teen refused to be handcuffed and they had to take him to the ground to restrain him. Police took him to the station and later to St. Elizabeth Health Center. Reports state that, on the way to the hospital, the boy threatened to kill himself several times. The teen was admitted to the hospital for observation and police later learned his identity.