Sharon man sentenced

Sharon man sentenced
PITTSBURGH -- Nathaniel Howard, 30, of East State Street, Sharon, has been sentenced to 10 years in federal prison for violating federal drug laws. Howard will also have to serve eight years' probation after his release, according to the sentence handed down Monday by United States District Judge Sean J. McLaughlin.
Howard was convicted of distributing a total of nearly a half-ounce of crack cocaine Jan. 31 and Feb. 7, 2001, according to information presented to the court by Michael A. Comber, Assistant United States Attorney. The FBI, Internal Revenue Service and the Pennsylvania State Police investigated the case.
Car hits school bus
LISBON -- Lisbon elementary school pupils escaped injury when a car slammed into the back of the school bus in which they were riding. Melissa Custer, 20, of Campbell Road, Hanoverton, was traveling west on state Route 517 in Elkrun Township when she ran into the back of the bus about 3:30 p.m. Monday, the Lisbon Post of the Ohio State Highway Patrol reported. The bus, with about nine children on board, had just dropped off a pupil and was starting to move again when the crash occurred, the patrol said.
Custer was cited by the patrol for failing to maintain an assured clear distance.
She was treated at Salem Community Hospital after the accident.
Bereavement group
NEW CASTLE, Pa. -- Monthly bereavement support group meetings will be at Jameson South hospital, second floor. The support group is for anyone who has suffered a loss of a loved one and is going through the grief process. The next meeting is from 2 to 3 p.m. Feb. 12. For details, call (724) 656-4250.
Man is found dead
YOUNGSTOWN -- A city man was found dead by his landlord in a fire-damaged apartment Monday. Curtis J. Cline, 41, was found on the floor next to the windows of a second-story bedroom at 46 E. Lucius Ave. after Cline's employer, Simon Roofing, inquired of the landlord when Cline didn't show up for work.
The landlord, Neil Kennedy of Poland, went to the apartment, and found Cline dead around 3:30 p.m.
Detectives, the crime lab, a fire investigator and a coroner's investigator were called to the scene. Police noted that a window was broken and that the upstairs front windows were blackened from smoke damage. A neighbor told police she heard a kicking noise and the sound of someone running through the snow at 4 a.m. but didn't call anyone. Lt. Alvin Ware, commander of the arson bureau, said the fire started in an upholstered chair and went out by itself or was possibly put out by Cline. Ware said the coroner will determine the cause of death.
Weapons, drug charges
YOUNGSTOWN -- Gunfire on East Pasadena Avenue on Monday night led police to Clarence L. Morris, 23, who lives on the street, and a 16-year-old boy. Guns were found in their car and drugs were found on Morris, reports show.
Morris was arrested on charges of driving under suspension, carrying a concealed weapon, discharge of a firearm, aggravated trafficking in crack cocaine, possession of marijuana and possession of a dangerous ordnance.
The East Myrtle Avenue boy was arrested on charges of carrying a concealed weapon and discharge of a firearm and taken to the juvenile justice center.
Morris told police that he had to get back at those who shot up his mother's house on East Dewey. A police report show that six shots were fired at the house at 9:30 p.m. Monday, damaging two windows.
Gunshot wounds
YOUNGSTOWN -- Evelyn G. Huffman, 44, of Green Acres Drive, Liberty, was in critical condition today at St. Elizabeth Health Center with multiple gunshot wounds to her lower abdomen. Huffman was shot in an apartment at 99 E. Myrtle Ave. at 6:10 p.m. Monday, police said. A witness, who drove Huffman to the hospital in a car, said he heard two loud bangs, and Huffman fell to the kitchen floor.