Attempted homicide

Attempted homicide
HERMITAGE, Pa. -- Police have charged a Sharon woman with attempted homicide and aggravated assault in the stabbing of a Farrell man outside the Orange Village Apartments on Orange Drive.
Cora L. Smith, 19, of Liberty Street, was arrested at her home shortly after 10 p.m. Wednesday by Sharon police on a warrant secured by Hermitage. She was turned over to Hermitage police and held overnight for arraignment today.
Police said she is accused of stabbing Dana M. Roye, 26, of Market Street, Farrell, in the parking lot of the apartment complex around 3 a.m. April 10. Roye was stabbed once in the chest and was hospitalized briefly for his injury.
School levy meeting
NEW MIDDLETOWN -- There will be a committee meeting of the Springfield Local Board of Education at 8 p.m. May 11 in the intermediate school library to discuss the school levy renewal. No action will be taken.
Judge: Fix carpet
MERCER, Pa. (AP) -- A judge apparently displeased with how newly installed carpet looks in his courtroom has ordered county officials to fix the carpet and possibly sue a contractor and a carpet maker to recoup the cost.
In the order, issued Friday, Judge Thomas R. Dobson contends the new carpet was installed contrary to plans and the pattern is "out-of square" as much as 3 inches with walls. The carpet was installed as part of an $11.1 million renovation of Mercer County's century-old courthouse.
The problem apparently resulted because the courtroom is irregularly shaped.
It's unclear what kind of weight the order carries, but county commissioners said they would get it fixed if it were installed wrong.
In memory of officer
YOUNGSTOWN -- Lighted candles were placed at West Federal Street and Vindicator Square around 2 a.m. today and police sirens sounded to mark the one-year anniversary of Patrolman Michael T. Hartzell's death.
The 26-year-old officer was gunned down in his cruiser at the traffic light.
Also in his memory today, a Mass at St. Christine Church was scheduled and a candlelight vigil at the Mahoning County Courthouse is planned for this evening.
Police help nude man
YOUNGSTOWN -- A man who was running nude south down Market Street at 1 a.m. today was confronted by police near Labelle Avenue.
He told officers that he had been threatened at gunpoint at his Hillman Street house and ran out, with the gunman chasing him for a while.
Police took the man home, where his girlfriend confirmed that a robbery had occurred. House and car keys were stolen.
Police said the couple's side entrance door can be forced open because of improper installation of the lock. The man and his girlfriend said they heard a loud bang before the suspect entered the bedroom.
Threat written on wall
YOUNGSTOWN -- A threat written on a wall in a women's restroom near the production area of Brentwood Originals, 1309 N. Meridian Road, was discovered at 2:30 p.m. Wednesday by a supervisor.
The writing, done in pencil, says: "If this contract ain't passed by the 1st of May? Do y'all remember Columbine High School & amp; what happened. I'm coming to work and I'm gonna spray the WHOLE plant. Believe in me."
Police were advised that the company is in contract negotiations and that several women employees have access to the restroom.
Management at the company told police that they have not received any threats directed toward them and were unaware of any one employee unhappy with the way negotiations are going.
Roller coaster gets OK
ERIE, Pa. (AP) -- Zoning officials have approved an amusement park owner's plan to build a $6 million roller coaster on a bluff near Lake Erie.
Millcreek Township officials approved a zoning variance Wednesday allowing Paul Nelson to build the Ravine Flyer II, a steel-and-wooden replica of the original Ravine Flyer that was dismantled at Waldameer Park more than 60 years ago.
Nelson estimates it will take up to four years to build the coaster, which he hopes will draw more people to the park, about 110 miles north of Pittsburgh.
The 108-year-old park is the 11th-oldest still running in the country and the 27th oldest in the world.
The new coaster was opposed by Brian Candela, who owns the adjacent Sara Coyne Beachcomber Campground. Candela's campground sits below the bluff where Nelson wants to bill the thrill ride and he contends the coaster would be disruptive.
Millcreek Township officials had to approve a zoning variance because state and township laws had labeled the bluff hazardous and barred construction.