Burglary attempt foiled

Burglary attempt foiled
WARREN -- A 62-year-old Maryland Street Northeast man held an intruder at gunpoint after finding him on the front-porch roof trying to enter his 14-year-old daughter's bedroom window.
The homeowner told police he was alerted to the intruder by the family dog about 3:50 a.m. today.
Police arrested Steven L. Westfall, 19, of 2779 Merriweather St. N.W. on a charge of attempted burglary.
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.
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.
Braceville bridge work
BRACEVILLE -- Newton Falls-Braceville Robinson Road will be closed from Oct. 27 to Nov. 26 about one mile north of state Route 82 for bridge replacement.
Howland limb pickup
HOWLAND -- The township's tree limb pickup is under way on the east side of North Road. Residents may put limbs less than six inches in diameter by the curb for collection. A work crew will take branches from areas west of North Road after Nov. 3. No firewood, logs or roots will be picked up.
School sealant strategy
McDONALD --Schools Superintendent Michael Wasser was to meet today with a flooring company and health officials to determine how sealant can be safely applied to a new gymnasium floor.
Wasser said the meeting was called after a first-grade pupil at Roosevelt Elementary School with asthma developed breathing difficulty his mother says was the result of sealant fumes.
The gym floor had about $100,000 damage during a July 27 rainstorm and was replaced.
Girard Lake dam meeting
GIRARD -- A meeting with state and federal officials about the Girard Lake dam will be at 4 p.m. Thursday in council chambers.
Councilman Charles Doran, D-4th, said members of the administration and city council will meet with representatives of the Army Corps of Engineers and Ohio Department of Natural Resources. U.S. Rep. Tim Ryan of Niles, D-17th, and state Sen. Marc Dann of Liberty, D-32nd, are also expected to attend.
Collections for needy
VERNON -- Badger Middle School pupils will be collecting food, clothing and gently used baby items for those in need from 9 a.m. until 2 p.m. Saturday at state Routes 7 and 88. Boy Scout Troop 90 will also conduct a flag-retiring ceremony. The events are being held in observance of Make a Difference Day. Call (330) 772-4731.
Marijuana indictments
CLEVELAND -- A federal grand jury has indicted an Andover couple and a Struthers man on marijuana distribution conspiracy charges.
Roger Shaffer, 26, of State Street, Struthers, and Michael Hazlett, 48, and Sandra Hazlett, 51, of Andover, were arrested Sept. 24 as they negotiated the purchase of 300 pounds of marijuana for about $255,000, the U.S. Attorney's Office said. Michael Hazlett also was charged with illegally possessing a firearm after a previous felony conviction.
Some $255,000 in cash and a 2000 Ford truck were seized.
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, which discusses 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.