Suit over police dog

Suit over police dog
YOUNGSTOWN -- A former Mahoning County deputy sheriff is suing Sheriff Randall Wellington, the sheriff's department and the county commissioners for costs he incurred while caring for a police dog. In a suit filed in Mahoning County Common Pleas Court, Howard Santilli says he cared for Gill, his canine partner from 1991 until Gill retired in 1996 and through the animal's death in 2002. Santilli claims he was directed to care for Gill and was assured he would be reimbursed for expenses, including veterinary bills, food, licenses, medicines and vaccinations. He said he was rebuffed when he attempted to negotiate a reimbursement agreement. Santilli was a deputy sheriff until December 2001.
YSU student arrested
YOUNGSTOWN -- Michael Jones, a student at Youngstown State University, was arrested Wednesday evening at his home on Ohio Avenue by members of the Mahoning County Drug Task Force. A secret indictment charges Jones, 23, with four counts of aggravated trafficking in marijuana. During his arrest, new charges of possession of marijuana and possession of drug paraphernalia were added.
Sentenced for selling coke
YOUNGSTOWN -- A Poland man will serve four years in prison for two counts of cocaine trafficking. Shawn Willis, 31, of South Main Street, was sentenced Tuesday in Mahoning County Common Pleas Court. Judge John M. Durkin also suspended his driver's license for six months and ordered that Willis' car and $2,420 be turned over to authorities. Willis was one of seven men indicted in September 2001 for operating what authorities have said was a major drug network in the Mahoning Valley.
Driver faces civil lawsuit
YOUNGSTOWN -- A 32-year-old Lake Milton man serving a two-year probation for a car crash that killed a friend now faces a civil lawsuit. The Deerfield family of Joaquin C. Holstein is suing John P. Cunningham for an amount in excess of $25,000. The suit was filed Wednesday in Mahoning County Common Pleas Court. During his March sentencing to charges of negligent homicide and assault, Cunningham's lawyer said the defendant accepts responsibility but has no memory of the May 2001 crash in Canfield Township. Cunningham was driving west on U.S. Route 224, near Crory Road, when he lost control of his minivan, which crossed the center line and hit a tractor-trailer that was carrying a manufactured home. Holstein, 28, of Lake Milton, was killed. Cunningham was sentenced to a six-month suspended jail sentence which he will serve only if he violates terms of the probation. He is banned from driving in Ohio for five years.
Beatitude House benefit
YOUNGSTOWN -- A wine-tasting event and silent auction are planned from 6:30 to 9:30 p.m. Friday at St. Nicholas Byzantine Catholic Church Activity Center, 3801 Shady Run Road, to benefit Beatitude House. Tickets are $50 and are available in advance only by calling (330) 744-3147. Appetizers and wines will be served. On the auction block will be Ohio State University memorabilia, tickets to sporting events, a script from "Dragnet" signed by star and Valley native Ed O'Neill and other items. Beatitude House provides help to disadvantaged women and children.
Robbery at gas station
AUSTINTOWN -- A man waved a weapon at a clerk and a 15-year-old customer Wednesday night at Shell-True North gas station on South Raccoon Road, police report. He asked the clerk for two cartons of cigarettes about 10 p.m., took the cigarettes and ran for the door.
Breaking and entering
AUSTINTOWN -- Police said Wednesday they found a North Meridian Road man sitting on the basement floor and smoking a cigarette in a North Raccoon Road home. Roger McClellan, 21, is charged with breaking and entering. Police said they came to the home about 8:15 p.m. after receiving a call that a man had kicked in the home's rear door. Police also said they found rubber gloves on the basement stairs and a cloth gym bag in the kitchen; the home's alarm system had been torn off the wall.