Arson fire destroys playground equipment

Arson fire destroysplayground equipment
LIBERTY -- Arson is being blamed for a fire Wednesday night that destroyed $10,000 worth of playground equipment in Church Hill Park.
According to police, an officer on patrol spotted the blaze shortly after 9 p.m. and called the fire department.
June Smallwood, township park and special projects director, said the one-piece play set was a "complete loss."
She said gasoline was used to set the blaze.
Smallwood said the arsonist is believed to be local because no cars were spotted in the park before the fire was set.
Arson also is suspected in an early-morning blaze that closed a Liberty Street market research company.
Fire Chief Michael Durkin said employees were sent home today from TNS Intersearch because of high carbon monoxide levels after the fire was set in an office between 5 and 6 a.m.
Durkin said the company employs about 100.
The blaze caused about $25,000 worth of fire damage to the office and $100,000 in loss of sales, the chief said.
Durkin said paper was piled up in the office and set on fire. The Metro Arson Task Force is investigating.
Lordstown teachersget pay-raise contract
LORDSTOWN -- A new three-year contract between the board of education and the teachers union gives educators a 3.5 percent raise each year, while having them pay more toward their health care.
The pact, announced Wednesday, increases the co-payment of doctor's visits for employees from $5 to $15 and introduces a three-tiered prescription plan.
Although the district will keep the same provider, the changes in health care are expected to save $80,000.
The contract has been approved by the state commission overseeing finances in the district, which is in state-imposed fiscal emergency.
Federal drug charges
HUBBARD -- Two men and a woman have been arrested in Hubbard Township on federal drug charges.
A U.S. Drug Enforcement Agency spokesman said the three -- one from Struthers and two from Williamsfield in Ashtabula County -- were taken into custody Wednesday night.
They were to be arraigned today in U.S. District Court in Youngstown.
The spokesman said the three will be charged with conspiracy with the intent to distribute 100-pound quantities of marijuana.
They were arrested in a vehicle at Interstate 80 and state Routes 7/62. A house was also searched as part of the undercover operation, the spokesman said.
Fire damagesElm Road building
WARREN -- A fire Wednesday afternoon caused at least $10,000 damage to an Elm Road building that housed a dance studio and two apartments.
The fire department was called to 1415 Elm Road around 3:20 p.m.
The fire started in one of the apartments where, firefighters say, one of the occupants had left candles burning unattended.
Fire department officials believe a candle either ignited a combustible material nearby or was knocked over by a dog in the apartment.
Two firefighters were treated for minor injuries, one for smoke inhalation and one for a burn on his wrist.
Man beaten and robbed
WARREN -- A 48-year-old Hollywood N.E. man told police two men beat and robbed him.
The victim said he answered his door at 11 p.m. Wednesday and two men rushed in.
The man said he was beaten and tied up and his wallet was taken.
He was treated at a local hospital for injuries.
Warren ward meeting
WARREN -- Councilman Alford L. Novak, D-2nd, has scheduled a ward meeting for 7 p.m. Tuesday at the Packard Park Shelter House.
Tom Angelo, director of the city's water pollution control facility, is expected to answer residents' questions and discuss a proposed sewer separation project.
Seaborn open house
MINERAL RIDGE -- Seaborn Elementary School will have open house today from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m.
Other open houses planned in the Weathersfield School District are: middle school, Wednesday, 6:30 to 7:30 p.m.; and high school, Oct. 16, same hours.