Strickland joins panel

Strickland joins panel
YOUNGSTOWN -- U.S. Rep. Ted Strickland of Lisbon, D-6th, was chosen to fill a vacancy on the Congressional Steel Caucus' executive committee. Of the more than 100 members of the caucus, 17 serve on the executive committee. "This will help in my efforts to advocate for American steel workers and manufacturers," Strickland said. The executive committee meets separately from the rest of the caucus to discuss steel-related issues and legislation, and decides whether to endorse legislation or efforts on behalf of the steel industry. Executive committee decisions guide the rest of the caucus, Strickland said.
Federal drug indictments
CLEVELAND -- A federal grand jury has indicted a Struthers man along with a man and a woman from Andover on marijuana distribution conspiracy charges.
Roger Shaffer, 26, of State Street, Struthers, and Michael and Sandra Hazlett, ages 48 and 51, respectively, both of Andover, were charged after they were arrested Sept. 24 as they negotiated the purchase of 300 pounds of marijuana for about $255,000, a U.S. attorney said.
Michael Hazlett was also charged with illegally possessing a firearm after a previous felony conviction.
Some $255,000 in cash and a 2000 Ford truck were seized when the arrests were made.
The case was investigated by the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration.
Weapon, drug charges
YOUNGSTOWN -- A loaded gun found on 16-year-old Roy S. Nall at 2:20 a.m. today on South Avenue turned out to be stolen from Lisbon, police said. Nall's arrest report shows a Columbus address. He told police that he had the gun because the "streets are tough." He was taken to the juvenile justice center to face charges of carrying a concealed weapon and receiving stolen property. His companion, Daniel D. Sims, 21, of West Marion Avenue, was arrested on charges of carrying a concealed weapon, trafficking in marijuana and illegal possession of a weapon based on a prior conviction, reports show. Police said Sims, who had a BB gun in his waistband, dropped 10 packaged-for-sale bags of suspected marijuana and had more bags in his pants pockets.
Make a Difference Day
YOUNGSTOWN -- Kiwanis clubs of Division 21 will collect food on Make a Difference Day from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday at these locations: Santisi's IGA, 4477 Mahoning Ave.; Nemenz IGA, Boardman Plaza; Giant Eagle, U.S. Route 224; Fish of East Liverpool, 213 W. Fourth St.; Sav-A-Lot, Lincoln Knolls Plaza; Giant Eagle, 11734 South Ave., North Lima; Nemenz IGA, 8 N. Broad St., Canfield.
The food collected will be delivered to Second Harvest Foodbank.
Second Harvest provides food to 200 hunger-relief organizations in Columbiana, Mahoning and Trumbull counties.
Animal remains found
YOUNGSTOWN -- A trash bag found Tuesday behind an abandoned two-family dwelling at 238-240 E. Florida Ave. contained fur and bones, police said. Police were sent to the duplex because of complaints about the stench. The officers notified Dave Nelson, Animal Charity humane investigator, and John Bricker, a housing department inspector. Nelson could not be reached. Bricker said the tenants were evicted two years ago. He said the house was littered with trash bags. He red-tagged the house and passed the address on to the city's demolition list. Mahoning County records show the duplex is owned by The Associates Financial Services in Pittsburgh and delinquent taxes are $1,266.
911 equipment assessment
WARREN -- Trumbull County commissioners were expected today to hire consultants L. Robert Kimball and Associates of Pittsburgh to assess the reliability of 911 dispatching equipment damaged in flooding this summer.
The consultant's fees are not to exceed $10,000.
The equipment has been failing repeatedly since it was damaged, said 911 director Tim Gladis.
The county's insurance company prefers to rehabilitate the gear rather than replace it. Commissioners also were expected to approve borrowing $800,000 to buy new equipment.
Officials said the county may seek recovery of the cost from its insurer, and some of the expense may also be covered by the Federal Emergency Management Agency.
Fire destroys dugout
WARREN -- City firefighters are investigating a blaze that destroyed a baseball dugout behind John F. Kennedy High School. The blaze started around 5:05 p.m. Tuesday, firefighters said. No injuries were reported.