Elderly woman found dead in ditch near her home

Elderly woman found dead in ditch near her home
BAZETTA -- An elderly township woman was found dead in front of her residence Friday afternoon. State troopers and township police found Viola E. Bancroft, 88, lying in a ditch in front of 741 state Route 305 after receiving a 911 call at 3 p.m. Her death does not appear to be traffic-related and foul play is not suspected, the Ohio State Highway Patrol said. The Trumbull County coroner is investigating.
Anyone who may have seen Bancroft near her residence between 9 p.m. Thursday and 3 p.m. Friday is asked to call the patrol at (330) 898-2311.
Negotiators meet, but progress is minimal
YOUNGSTOWN -- Negotiators for WKBN-TV 27 and WYFX-TV and 35 union employees, who say they have been locked out since last Saturday, met for about 12 hours Friday with the help of federal mediator Doug Corwon, but no new talks are scheduled.
Joe Bell, steward and spokesman for National Association of Broadcast Employees and Technicians Local 47, said that talks focused on health care and other economic issues, but that minimal progress was made. The union represents anchors, reporters, directors, photographers and studio photographers.
The union awaits financial information from the company regarding its employee health-care costs, Bell said. No other language issues were discussed. A company spokesman could not be reached late Friday.
Retirement, promotions
SHARON, Pa. -- The retirement of a police sergeant has resulted in promotions for two other officers in the Sharon police department.
Sgt. Mark Yassem has left the force and Cpl. James Masotto, who joined the force in April 1995, has been promoted to sergeant. Patrolman Mark Johnson, a member of the force since May 1995, was promoted to the rank of corporal.
Library strategic plan
YOUNGSTOWN -- The Public Library of Youngstown and Mahoning County will conduct three public comment meetings this month on the strategic plan under consideration by its trustees, which would reduce the system from 19 branches to 13 or 14 branches with expanded hours.
The meetings will be at 5:30 p.m. Wednesday at the Austintown Library, 4 p.m. Feb. 18 at the Boardman Library, and 6 p.m. Feb. 19 at main library. The library administration said the strategic plan responds to the public's desire for stronger collections and longer hours. The plan will be on the agenda in a special library trustees meeting at 4 p.m. March 4 at the main library.
Rape indictment
LISBON -- A Columbiana County grand jury recently handed up a secret indictment for a Salem man accused of raping a 14-year-old girl.
Brock Ward, 20, of Woodland Avenue is charged with rape, a first-degree felony, and unlawful sexual conduct with a minor, a fourth-degree felony.
Ward was served with a copy of the indictment Wednesday. The crimes occurred in March 2002 and in July 2003, authorities said.
No further details were immediately available.