Thousands lose power

Thousands lose power
WARREN -- Wind gusts downed power lines in Brookfield and Newton Falls on Monday, leaving 27,400 customers in Trumbull and Mahoning counties briefly without electricity.
Paul Harkey, a spokesman for Ohio Edison, said that wind appears to have blown a Brookfield power line down at 7:13 p.m., resulting in outages to 15,400 customers in Brookfield, Howland and Warren. Power was restored about an hour later, he said.
The second line, in Newton Falls, went down at 7:49 p.m., affecting 12,000 customers in Newton Falls, Lake Milton and Berlin Center. It was repaired by 9 a.m.
Robbed at gunpoint
LIBERTY -- A gunman got away with $60 from a 39-year-old Liberty man during an armed robbery that started in a fast-food drive-through.
The victim told police he was in the drive-through of Wendy's on Belmont Avenue about 11:45 p.m. Monday when a man got into his vehicle and ordered him to drive.
The thief pulled a handgun and demanded the driver hand over his money. The robber then fled the car in the area of Youngstown State University.
Recognition for mayor
LORDSTOWN -- Outgoing Mayor Arno Hill was recognized for his 12 years of service to the village with council members presenting him with the gavel he used to open and close every meeting during his tenure.
At a special meeting Monday, council honored Hill and outgoing Councilman Daniel Cuckovich. Each was also presented with a plaque.
Also at the meeting, council agreed to retain Atty. Paul Dutton as the village's legal representative for another year.
A fireworks tribute
NEW CASTLE, Pa. -- Fireworks unique to Zambelli Internationale will be set off here to the favorite music of company president George Zambelli Sr. on New Year's Eve. Zambelli, 79, died Christmas Day. The display is being offered as a tribute by his widow, Constance Zambelli. The fireworks will begin at 6 p.m. and can be viewed from the parking lot next to the Columbus Innerbelt. The light and sound show brings forth Zambelli's dedication to children and is specifically set for early evening so children can attend, according to a news release by the family. Signature shells unique to the Zambelli company will be used, including some packaged by Zambelli's late brother. Daylight fireworks featuring flags on parachutes, clouds of colored smoke and signature titanium salutes will be displayed at Zambelli's burial site earlier in the day.
Meat theft suspect
HERMITAGE, Pa. -- Police charged Jack L. Laughery, 31, of Union Street, Greenville, with robbery, simple assault and retail theft in the theft of meat from the Giant Eagle store in Hermitage Towne Plaza on East State Street. Police said store employees said they saw Laughery hide packages of meat under his coat, then walk out of the store around 3:20 p.m. Monday. A female store employee confronted him in the parking lot, but he pushed her and punched her in the mouth, police said. Two men passing by came to her aid and helped restrain Laughery until police arrived. He was held overnight and faced arraignment today.
Camper is burglarized
FREDONIA, Pa. -- Robert Giles of Fredonia Road told Pennsylvania State Police that someone cleaned out his "Scotty" camper, parked on his Delaware Township property. Giles told police Monday that a television, a VCR, a DVD player, an electric heater and cash were taken between Wednesday and Monday.
Seeking nominations
LISBON -- Several Columbiana County officeholders will be seeking their party's nomination in the March 2 primary.
They are Clerk of Courts Anthony Dattilio, Democrat; Engineer Bert Dawson, Republican; Recorder Jeff Hochadel, Republican; and Sheriff Dave Smith, Republican.
State rep. nomination
LISBON -- Frank Rayl, 34, of Salem, is seeking the Democratic nomination for the 1st District state representative seat in the March 2 primary.
Rayl, a labor leader and political newcomer, filed a nominating petition Monday at the Columbiana County elections board.
The resident of 1167 Andrew Ave. is serving his second term as president of United Steelworkers of America Local 3816. The union represents 253 employees of Eljer Plumbingware, a Salem plant slated for shut-down May 31.
The 1st District seat, which consists of Columbiana County, is held by state Rep. Charles Blasdel, an East Liverpool Republican.
Blasdel has yet to file for re-election.
The filing deadline is Friday.