Cops: Man in hockey mask robbed woman, stole car

Cops: Man in hockey maskrobbed woman, stole car
YOUNGSTOWN -- A man wearing a white hockey mask followed a woman into her house in the 1100 block of Wabash Avenue about 3 a.m. Sunday and robbed her, police said. The woman told police she was grabbed in a bear hug by the robber, who then grabbed her purse. Saying "Don't hurt me," the woman gave the robber $1,500 that had been in a book bag in a closet, reports show. The robber left in the woman's car after taking her keys from a table.
Lowellville house burns
LOWELLVILLE -- A fire damaged a home at 404 East Wood St. after a pipe overheated, igniting a floor and wall near a flue pipe for the hot water tank. The homeowner discovered the fire just after noon Sunday, said Fire Chief Bill Meehan. It took village firefighters, assisted by the Western Reserve Fire District, about 30 minutes to bring it under control. No damage estimate was available. No injuries were reported.
Fire in Austintown
AUSTINTOWN -- Township firefighters are trying to determine what started a blaze early today that caused $30,000 worth of damage to the home of James R. Higgens at 1672 Lancaster Drive. Higgens returned home around 1:13 a.m. and found a fire in the living room. Firefighters said the family dog died of smoke inhalation.
New Castle house fire
NEW CASTLE, Pa. -- Fire officials are trying to determine who owns a house at 2 Schley St. that was destroyed in a fire this morning. Fire Chief Jeff Scrim said they were called at 1:30 a.m. to a fully engulfed house. No one was home, but the house was occupied, he said. The fire appears to have started on the first floor, but the Pennsylvania State Fire Marshal could not determine how it started because the second floor fell, Scrim said. Damage was estimated at $60,000.
French Creek grant
SHARON, Pa. -- The French Creek Project has received a $40,000 grant from the Western Pennsylvania Watershed Program to promote and protect French Creek. The money will help underwrite the project's public education and outreach programs. "We are delighted to receive this support and appreciate the program's ongoing commitment to protecting the commonwealth's water resources," said Brian Hill, director of the French Creek Project. The Western Pennsylvania Watershed Program emphasizes restoration and preservation and decided to support the French Creek Project because of the latter's long-standing efforts to protect what is widely regarded as Pennsylvania's most biologically diverse stream. The project is a national award-winning watershed protection program that is based in Meadville. French Creek flows through the northeast corner of Mercer County.
Police probe burglaries
SHARON, Pa. -- Police are investigating two burglaries -- one at a business downtown and the other at a residence while the homeowner was asleep. Police said someone entered Laskey's Discount Furniture Center at 31 N. Water Ave. through an unlocked second-floor window Thursday night or early Friday. Employees discovered the burglary Friday morning and reported that an undisclosed amount of money was taken. In the other crime, police said a Spruce Avenue woman was sleeping in her home when someone pried open her front door Friday night or early Saturday. The burglary wasn't discovered until Saturday morning. A small amount of cash from the victim's purse and 24 music CDs were taken, police said.