Health board resignation

Health board resignation
WARREN -- Robert O'Connell has resigned from the Trumbull County Board of Health two weeks after an Ohio attorney general's opinion that his day job as McDonald village administrator made him ineligible to serve.
In his three months on the board, he has not cast any swing votes that could now be challenged.
"We hate to see him go," said board president Scott Thompson. "He was an asset to the board."
The attorney general's opinion said the positions of village administrator and health board member were incompatible because the health board may make decisions that affect the village.
O'Connell did not return a phone call for comment.
"I believe in the new direction being taken by the board and I would have been proud to be a part of that direction," he wrote in a letter of resignation.
Defendant competent
WARREN -- A man accused of killing a 4-year-old boy is competent to stand trial. Both Atty. Reginald Maxton of Cleveland, who represents Michael Ledger, and prosecutors agreed with reports from mental health experts that state Ledger is able to assist in his own defense and understands the charge he faces.
Another hearing in the case has been set for June 26. Ledger, who is being held in the county jail with bond set at $1 million, has pleaded innocent to a charge of murder. He is accused of killing Logan Guiton. Police said Logan died Jan. 20 of a head injury. Ledger was Logan's legal guardian.
Suit alleges damage
NILES -- The owner of two buildings contends the McKinley Memorial Library damaged its property while demolishing a building to make room for a replica of the ex-president's birthplace home.
Reisman's Inc., which owns buildings on both sides of the McKinley Birthplace Home and Research Center, seeks in excess of $25,000 in damages.
The company contends its properties were damaged during the demolition of the Ole Main Ale & amp; Chowder House, at 40 S. Main St., where the birthplace home now stands.
The company also alleges that McKinley Library trustees have been slow to fix damage, allowing it to worsen.
Director Patrick Finan said he couldn't comment on the lawsuit until he discusses it with the library's attorney.
Teens arrested in break-in
KINSMAN -- Police have arrested three 17-year-olds accused of breaking into Bronzewood Golf Course earlier this month.
The teens are charged with felony breaking and entering, said Police Chief Leroy Long. They were officially charged Wednesday in Trumbull County Juvenile Court.
They are accused of breaking into the office at the Webber-Cole Road golf course May 2 and 3, prying open a cash drawer and taking $1,100.
Suspicious behavior
WARREN -- Police say that two men in a black SUV who stopped residents, patted them down and asked for identification are not city police officers.
Police Chief John Mandopoulos said the department received two complaints from residents saying they were walking on the northeast side of town Thursday afternoon when a black SUV stopped, two men got out of the vehicle, placed the victims against the SUV, frisked them and then asked for identification.
After showing the identification, the victims were freed. No injuries were reported. "As far as I know, there is no police agency in this area that is doing this," the chief said.
He asks anyone with information to contact the police department.
Firearms indictment
CLEVELAND -- A federal grand jury here has indicted Brandi Anderson, 34, of Peace Avenue, Warren, on one count of violating federal firearms laws.
The government said Anderson was found in possession of a pistol in February, after being convicted in 1998 of burglary in Trumbull County.
The firearms charge carries a penalty of up to 10 years in prison and a $250,000 fine.
School review meetings
NILES -- The annual review meetings of the Niles City Schools' District Title I and Federal Entitlement Programs are next week.
The Title I meeting will be at 10 a.m. Monday in the cafeteria of Lincoln Elementary School. The FEP meeting will be at 11 a.m. Monday in the library of Lincoln. Parents, school personnel and residents may attend and give input.
Call Renee Ruman at (330) 652-5586.