Held in student's death

Held in student's death
BOARDMAN -- Township police arrested a 16-year-old in the February death of a 17-year-old Boardman High School student.
Walter R. Phibbs, 16, of Oregon Trail, is charged with involuntary manslaughter, trafficking in drugs, corrupting another with drugs and theft in the drug overdose of Paul Graham, found dead in his Glenwood Avenue home.
Phibbs turned himself in to Boardman police Wednesday morning. He is being held in the Mahoning County Juvenile Justice Center in Youngstown.
Graham died in his home Feb. 5 and was found by his father. In early April, the Mahoning County coroner ruled that the death was caused by drug toxicity.
Police found evidence of drugs at Graham's home after his death. Police said they later determined that Phibbs had given Graham morphine pills he had stolen from his mother.
Help with electric bills
LISBON -- The Community Action Agency of Columbiana County is now accepting applications for the crisis cooling Home Energy Assistance Program.
Low-income residents can receive assistance to pay electric bills. Income-eligible people may apply to receive an air conditioner if cooling is medically necessary. For more information, call the Community Action Agency at (330) 424-1386YSU seminars available
YOUNGSTOWN -- War and terrorism, Islam, Russia and China are among the topics that will be covered in seminars this summer by Youngstown State University's Creative Retirement Opportunities that Work program. Session dates are Wednesday, war and terrorism; July 2, Russia and China in the global landscape; and Aug. 14, Islam history, art, architecture and religion. Lecturers include YSU faculty and members of relevant community and government groups. Each seminar runs from 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. in Kilcawley Center at YSU. Cost is $67 per person for one seminar, or $169 for all three. Lunch is included. Contact the Office of University Outreach at (330) 965-5800.
Authorities in slow start
NEW CASTLE, Pa. -- Lawrence County's two new municipal authorities got off to a slow start this week. The Lawrence County Redevelopment Authority and the county municipal authority met Wednesday at the courthouse for their first public meetings since formally organizing last month. Joseph Caminiti, chairman of the redevelopment authority, said his board is still waiting for the state to approve the authority and no formal action could be taken. Authority members did agree that the county planning director, James Gagliano, and the county planning staff will work as the staff for the redevelopment authority once state approval is given. The county municipal authority, which has been approved by the state, also met Wednesday afternoon, but conducted no business.
Party at Buhl Park
HERMITAGE, Pa. -- Third- and fourth-grade pupils from Sharon who created a picture or story around the theme, "My View of Buhl Park," will be treated to a party at the park's Activities Building from 1 to 3 p.m. Saturday. The program was sponsored by the Sharon Lifelong Learning Council and the Buhl Farm Park trustees. Participants could write or draw about their most original idea for the park or ways to experience happiness and fun at the park. The pupils and their parents will get a tour of the park, and there will be trolley rides, prizes and refreshments.
Arrested in kidnapping
ELLWOOD CITY, Pa. -- City police have arrested one man and expect to pick up two others in a kidnapping earlier this year.
Authorities said Chris David Anderson, 20, of Franklin Avenue, faces 17 charges, including kidnapping, aggravated assault and robbery, in the Jan. 23 disappearance of a Wayne Avenue man. Police said three people, two with semiautomatic weapons, forced their way into the victim's home. The man was beaten and robbed and taken to a waiting vehicle. Police said the victim was later left along a road in North Sewickley Township, Beaver County.
He was treated at Allegheny General Hospital in Pittsburgh for injuries. Police said they expect to arrest two others in the kidnapping. Anderson's preliminary hearing is set for 9:30 a.m. Wednesday in Lawrence County Central Court.