Panel OKs church plans

Panel OKs church plans
HERMITAGE, Pa. -- Faith Presbyterian Church has won the city planning commission's approval for a 4,500-square-foot addition to its building at 2370 N. Hermitage Road. The church had secured a zoning variance from the city's zoning hearing board in February to allow it to build within 45 feet of the roadway instead of the normal 50 feet. It submitted a land development plan to the planning commission Monday outlining the plan, which would also add 8,000 square feet of parking space. The plan now goes to the city commissioners, who have final say.
Taft appoints Valley man
YOUNGSTOWN -- Gov. Bob Taft appointed Dave Johnson, who operates Summitville Tiles and is the former Columbiana County Republican chairman, to his Commission on Higher Education and the Economy. The 33-member commission will evaluate the funding, structure, governance and accessibility of the state's higher education system, and make recommendations to the governor. Johnson, of Salem, is the only Mahoning Valley resident appointed to the committee, which includes educators, business leaders and politicians.
Illegal firearm ownership
NEW CASTLE, Pa. -- U.S. attorney Mary Beth Buchanan announced that Anthony Spragling, 30, of West Lincoln Avenue pleaded guilty in federal court in Pittsburgh on Monday to illegally owning a firearm. Officials said he was caught with a 9 mm handgun last June. He had been convicted in Lawrence County of a felony drug offense in 1994, making it illegal for him to own firearms. He will be sentenced Aug. 25. Officials didn't disclose Spragling's whereabouts.
Walkers raise $117,000
LIBERTY -- Despite heavy rain Saturday, walkers in the Relay for Life at the high school raised $27,000 more this year than the previous year. The relay, which ran from Friday to Saturday, was the second at the high school. Forty-four teams of walkers raised $117,000, up from $90,000 in 2002, said Al Stabilito, communications and advocacy director for the Mahoning Valley American Cancer Society. Relays are planned this weekend at the Lakeview High School track in Cortland and at East Liverpool's Mangano Memorial track.
Charged in kidnapping
ELLWOOD CITY, Pa. -- A borough woman was free this morning on $100,000 bond after an arrest stemming from a kidnapping earlier this year. Police said Diana M. Tillia, 23, of Fountain Avenue faces 21 conspiracy charges, as well as charges of receiving stolen property, false imprisonment and recklessly endangering another person. Police said the charges were filed in relation to a matter on Jan. 23 when three people forced their way into a Wayne Avenue home and forcibly removed and assaulted a 23-year-old man. Police said the man was eventually left along a roadway in Beaver County and had to be hospitalized.
Vehicles vandalized
NEW CASTLE, Pa. -- About $5,000 damage was done to construction vehicles parked near Frew Mill Road. Police said today that the windows of seven construction vehicles were broken sometime between 5 p.m. Friday and 5:30 a.m. Monday. The vehicles are owned by Graziani Construction and were parked in a secure lot across from the business.
Fire destroys barn
GREENVILLE, Pa. -- Authorities said a 9-year-old boy playing with a cigarette lighter started a fire that destroyed a 30-by-100-foot barn at the home of Fay Beckstine, 1039 Hilltop Road in West Salem Township. Officials said the fire broke out around 5:45 p.m. Monday and also destroyed two fishing boats and some lumber stored in the barn.
Man charged with rape
BROOKFIELD -- Dale A. Fell of Stewart-Sharon Road is charged with raping a 12-year-old girl. Fell, 57, was in Trumbull County Jail this morning on $500,000 bond set Monday in Trumbull County Eastern District Court. Police said the girl and her 10-year-old girlfriend were riding their bicycles Friday evening along Stewart-Sharon. They said Fell lured the girls to his home with the promise of seeing some kittens. The girls were joined by the victim's 11-year-old brother, who was also riding his bike. While the children were in the home, the victim was taken to another portion of the house and sexually assaulted, police said.