Greenville-area native killed in Afghanistan

GREENVILLE, Pa. -- A former Greenville-area soldier was killed in what authorities have described as an accidental explosion in Afghanistan.
U.S. Army Staff Sgt. James "Doug" Mowris, 37, a member of the U.S. Army Reserves 414th Military Police Company stationed in Joplin, Mo., was one of eight soldiers reported killed a week ago as they were preparing to dispose of ammunition and mortar rounds found near the city of Ghazni.
Mowris grew up in Adamsville in Crawford County, just north of the Mercer County line, and graduated from Conneaut Lake High School in 1984, joining the Army right after graduation.
He met his wife, Michele, while both were serving in the military. She was in the U.S. Navy at the time. The couple have two children.
Mowris worked as a correctional officer at the U.S. Medical Center for Federal Prisoners in Springfield, Mo.
He was placed on active duty in July and was expected to come home in May.
His parents, John Mowris and Linda Carless, still live in the Greenville area. The elder Mowris owns Mowris Engine Repair on North Race Street.