Alcohol-sale sting brings citation for store clerk

Alcohol-sale sting bringscitation for store clerk
YOUNGSTOWN -- Based on complaints of underage alcohol sales at USA Gas Mart, 667 S. Meridian Road, the vice squad sent in a cooperating 19-year-old who bought a six-pack of beer Wednesday, reports show. The clerk, Dahwal Hussein, 47, of Niles, was then issued a citation charging him with illegal sales of alcohol.
Suspect being returned
YOUNGSTOWN -- Martin L. Koliser Jr., charged with fatally shooting city Patrolman Michael Hartzell, 26, and wounding Donel Rowe, 23, of Youngstown on April 29, is on his way back to Ohio from Florida. Koliser, 31, left the Pinellas County jail Wednesday morning, bound for the Lorain Correctional Institution, where he faces a parole violation. At some point soon, Koliser will be brought to Mahoning County for arraignment.
Temporary closing
YOUNGSTOWN -- The northbound ramp from U.S. Route 422 (Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard) to state Route 711 (Division Street Expressway) westbound will close at 10 a.m. Friday so crews can repair expansion joints on the Division Street Bridge over Route 422. Also, westbound traffic on Burlington Avenue will be detoured to Dearborn Street and Robinwood Avenue for westbound access to Route 711. The closings will last until 8 a.m. Monday.
Facade work OK'd
YOUNGSTOWN -- The city's design review board has retroactively approved a facade improvement project done last summer by the Western Reserve Transit Authority. WRTA knocked down an old carport next door on the Armies Electronics property on Commerce Street, repaired and repainted the outside wall of the building that faces the bus terminal and erected a fence. WRTA representatives said they filed their plans with the city last summer but the board never reviewed the project.
Police probe tool theft
STRUTHERS -- Police are investigating the theft of $643 worth of tools belonging to Nature Stone, 1022 Fifth St. Police reports say a drill, pressure washer and high-power washer were last seen in the back of a company vehicle when an employee left for a job. The employee did not return to the place of business "for at least three days," the report states, and upon his return, told his employer the tools had been stolen. The report says, however, that the employee's girlfriend had called the company to inform the owner that the worker had sold the tools.
Solicitation charges
YOUNGSTOWN -- David C. Bopp, 58, of Barbie Drive, Boardman, and Lisa Walker, 40, of West Princeton Avenue were issued citations Wednesday night on the South Side charging them with loitering to engage in solicitation. Vice squad officers said they saw Walker flag down Bopp at Falls Avenue and Oakhill and then get into his car.
Woman reports rape
LIBERTY -- A 19-year-old Youngstown woman reported to police she was raped early today. The woman told police an acquaintance picked her up in his car, drove her to Liberty and raped her. She said he then pulled out a gun and told her not to tell anybody what happened. She was treated at Beeghly Medical Center in Boardman.
Arena project deadline
YOUNGSTOWN -- The city and FaulknerUSA, the developer chosen for the downtown civic center project, announced an extension until May 30 on today's deadline to reach a deal. The two sides also said they expect to reach agreement on two other contracts by May 30. Those will be the design and build contract for the proposed arena and the pact for managing the building. Both sides say negotiations are moving ahead smoothly.
Historical house to open
GIRARD -- The first floor of the historical Barnhisel House on State Street will hold a grand opening from 1 to 5 p.m. Saturday and Sunday. The home is owned by the Girard Historical Society. Built between 1842 and 1846, it's the oldest house in the city and one of the oldest in Trumbull County. Volunteers have been restoring the 2 1/2-story structure for two years. The house will be open for tours during the weekend.