Farrell man gets prison on federal charges

Farrell man gets prisonon federal charges
SHARON, Pa. -- A Farrell man has been ordered to serve more than 11 years in prison on federal drug and weapon charges.
Romondo Oatis, 29, of Pennsylvania Avenue, is free on bond and will be directed to report to a federal prison to begin serving his sentence.
During a hearing in Pittsburgh, William L. Standish, senior U.S. District Court judge, ordered him Thursday to serve 135 months in prison followed by four years of parole.
Oatis pleaded guilty in July to charges of possession with intent to distribute and distribution of crack cocaine and possession of a firearm after having been convicted of a felony.
Michael A. Comber, assistant U.S. attorney who prosecuted the case, said Oatis sold an estimated 4.8 ounces of crack cocaine throughout 2001. The firearm charge stemmed from a gun in Oatis' possession June 21, 2001, Comber said.
Burglars strike in Salem
SALEM -- One house was broken into and an attempt was made on another Wednesday night, police said. Someone entered the front door of a home in the 800 block of Sunset Boulevard. They took an undisclosed amount of money, police said. The crime was reported at 6:42 p.m. Someone damaged the front door lock on a home in the 800 block of Howard Avenue, but an alarm sounded, apparently scaring the burglar. The crime was reported at 7:16 p.m., police said.
Columbiana crash hurts 5
COLUMBIANA -- A two-car crash at state Route 14 and Windjammer Drive sent five people to the hospital, including two children. The crash occurred about 1 p.m. Thursday. No other information was available from Columbiana police before press time.
Skid loaders stolen
MERCER, Pa. -- Pennsylvania State Police said thieves brought their own trailer to haul a pair of Case Model 40X skid steer loaders from the parking lot of Ralph W. Kyle Inc. at 791 Mercer-New Wilmington Road. Employees told police the loaders were taken from the lot between 5:30 p.m. Wednesday and 6:30 a.m. Thursday. A light-colored pickup truck towing a yellow flat bed trailer was seen in the area, police said. The loaders had a combined value of $35,582.
Road rage escalates
MERCER, Pa. -- Pennsylvania State Police said road rage ended with aggravated assault charges against a Brookfield Township man. Police said Dennis B. Clark was apparently angered by the driving of Mark Kwiecinski of Hubbard as their vehicles traveled along U.S. Route 62 in East Lackawannock Township around 12:20 p.m. Thursday.
Clark followed Kwiecinski into the Flynn's Tire and Service Center parking lot and started a verbal dispute that escalated when Clark returned to his truck and got a shotgun, police said. Clark threatened Kwiecinski, who struggled with him for control of the shotgun, police said. Clark fled but was stopped and arrested and arraigned before District Justice William Fagley, who freed him on $25,000 bond.
Accident puts power out
GREENVILLE, Pa. -- A sheared power pole cut electrical service to the east side of the borough as well as parts of the downtown business district overnight. Police said Stephanie Leonard of Greenville was northbound on Union Street around 11:45 p.m. Thursday when her vehicle ran off the road and hit the pole. She wasn't hurt. Power was out for nearly six hours, police said.
Holidays at Hoyt
NEW CASTLE, Pa. -- Hoyt Institute of Fine Arts, 124 E. Leasure Ave., will be the setting for a Holiday Preview event from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday and noon to 3 p.m. Sunday. Silk florals, decorated Christmas trees, centerpieces, gift items, jewelry, handbags and other home decor items will be displayed in five rooms, and gourmet food tasting will be available. The annual event, which is free, is open to decorators, shoppers and antique lovers.
Dog missing after burglary
GREENFORD -- A female tan Sharpei, valued at $800, was discovered missing after a burglary Thursday night at a house in the 5200 block of Salem-Unity Road, the Mahoning County Sheriff's Department said.