Federal money set aside for Route 62
Federal money setaside for Route 62
SALEM -- Nearly $1 million in federal highway funds is earmarked to plan for extending U.S. Route 62 from the Stark County line in Alliance to state Route 11 in Mahoning County, said U.S. Rep. Ted Strickland of Lucasville, D-6th.
The proposed route stretches along southern Mahoning County and passes just north of Salem, Washingtonville and Columbiana.
Completion of the four-lane highway will be an economic boost to the region, Strickland said.
The money provided for planning the project will be "an important step to getting this venture moving forward," he added. Estimated cost of constructing the stretch of highway is $69 million.
Former secretary charged in theft
SHARON, Pa. -- Police have charged a former secretary at a doctor's office here with theft in the disappearance of an estimated $14,000 from the office bank deposits.
Lorinda Miller, 32, of the Warren-Sharon Road, Brookfield, was arrested at 10:30 a.m. Thursday at the office of District Justice James McMahon on charges of theft by failure to make required disposition of funds received and tampering with records. Police said she waived her right to a preliminary hearing and the case will move into common pleas court in Mercer. She is free on her own recognizance.
Police said Miller is accused of taking the money from bank deposits over two years from the office of Dr. Peter Daloni on Jefferson Avenue. Police began investigating in November 2002.
Benefit auction plannedfor crisis shelter
NEW CASTLE, Pa. -- An auction to benefit the Crisis Shelter of Lawrence County, formerly known as the Women's Shelter-Rape Crisis Center of Lawrence County, will be at 6 p.m. Saturday at the Crisis Shelter, 1218 W. State St.
Each year the shelter provides comprehensive services to more than 1,600 men, women and children who are victims of domestic violence, sexual assault and other serious crimes. It also provides community outreach programs, professional training and advocacy, as well as prevention education training to school districts.
All services are provided free. For more information or for tickets for the auction, call the Crisis Shelter at (724) 652-9206.
Mock-trial contest
LISBON -- Area high school students will gather at the Columbiana County courthouse Feb. 21 for a mock trial competition being hosted by the county common pleas court and the county bar association.
The competition here is one of 27 being conducted statewide. The top teams will advance to state finals set for March 13-15 in Columbus.
Students will be trying a case based on a Civil War event that presents issues of individual rights.
The mock trial is open to the public. The first round begins at 9 a.m.; the second, at 12:30 p.m.
The county courthouse is at Market Street and Lincoln Way.
Homeland security
NORTH LIMA -- The next Beaver Township Crime Watch meeting will be at 7 p.m. Feb. 25 in the activity center of Shepherd of the Valley, 9111 Sharrott Road (corner of Western Reserve and Sharrott Roads).
The speaker will be a representative from Mahoning County Disaster Services Agency. The discussion will focus on homeland security; how we are affected locally; the change in security levels; and what the agency is doing for our protection. Local crime statistics also will be discussed.
Man shot in stomach
YOUNGSTOWN -- James Whitaker, 53, of Shannon Road, Girard, was in guarded condition today in St. Elizabeth Health Center with shotgun wounds to his stomach.
Whitaker, who was shot about 3 a.m. at Jody Dougherty's house on Atkinson Avenue, went to his nephew's house on Avon Street and collapsed, reports show.
The nephew told police that Dougherty, his uncle's girlfriend, was responsible. Police arrested Dougherty, 39, at her home on warrants signed by a representative of the Bureau of Motor Vehicles that had been issued Feb. 3 on unrelated charges of tampering with records, forgery and possession of criminal tools.
Detectives were to confer with the prosecutor today about the shooting. Police said Dougherty told them she shot Whitaker twice after he kicked in her back door and forced his way into her house.