Bad-check charges

Bad-check charges
GIRARD -- A Youngstown woman arrested on charges of passing bad checks, forgery and receiving stolen property was released on her own recognizance after the Trumbull County Jail was too full to accept her.
Marshaun R. Brooks, no age available, of Alameda Avenue, Youngstown, was arrested at 10:15 a.m. Sunday. Police said a clerk from Tobacco Plus on State Street called them when Brooks tried to write a check for merchandise. He said he recognized her for writing a bad check the day before.
When police arrested Brooks, they found several identification cards, checks and credit cards in other people's names, as well as receipts for items purchased using those documents.
According to reports, police were able to track down the owners of the cards found on Brooks and found they had all been lost or reported stolen.
Because the county jail was full and accepting only violent offenders, Brooks was released pending her arraignment today in Girard Municipal Court.
Sharon ditches appeal
SHARON, Pa. -- The city is dropping its appeal of 30 property tax reassessments approved by the Mercer County Board of Assessment Appeal.
The reassessments were for 2003, and city council voted in January 2002 to appeal the case. Topping the list were five businesses that had their property values reduced between 31 percent and 45 percent.
Council voted to drop the appeal last week after learning the process could be costly and the chance of winning slim.
Golden Stallion reopens
WARREN -- The Golden Stallion reopened for the weekend after a three-day closure by the Trumbull County Health Department.
The Tod Avenue bar and restaurant, known for its chicken, was shut down Tuesday after inspectors found mold on the walls in a cooler, moldy vegetables and food stored at the wrong temperature, along with other violations.
Owners fixed the violations and the restaurant passed reinspection late Friday, officials said.
Facing weapons charges
YOUNGSTOWN -- Jermaine Stroughter, 24, of Pasadena Avenue was arrested at 2:15 a.m. Sunday on charges of carrying a concealed weapon, illegal possession of a weapon and resisting arrest.
Police said they were flagged down on South Avenue by a bar patron and given the description of a man seen hiding near Krakusky Hall with a gun. Stroughter ran from the hall's parking lot to 2303 South, the rear lot of Patsy's bar, where he dropped a loaded .32-caliber handgun, police said.
Stroughter told police that he didn't have a gun because he is a felon and not permitted to have a firearm, reports show.
Seeking donations
YOUNGSTOWN -- Beatitude House, a transitional housing, education and vocational training program for disadvantaged women and children, is seeking donations to help cover the costs of utilities for 23 apartments.
Beatitude House also is seeking donations of household cleaners, hygiene products, digital oral thermometers for children, linens, small appliances, diapers and grocery store gift cards.
The Ursuline Sisters sponsor Beatitude House. Call (330) 744-3147.