Door-to-door solicitors

Door-to-door solicitors
SHARON, Pa. -- Police have issued a warning to city residents to be alert for people in their teens or early 20s who have been going door-to-door, some claiming to be selling magazines and some just asking questions about the home's occupants. The group, believed to consist of out-of-state young people, has been seen in residential neighborhoods. The group has no solicitation permit and isn't allowed to canvass door-to-door without one, police said, advising residents not to talk to them. If they refuse to leave a property, the homeowner should call 911 for assistance, police said.
4th arrest in assault
SHARON, Pa. -- Police have arrested a fourth person in the assault of a Thornton Street teen that sent the boy to the hospital with facial fractures and a concussion. Logan R. Malie, 20, also of Thornton Street, was arrested at his home at 11 a.m. Wednesday on a warrant charging him with aggravated and simple assault. He was arraigned and freed on his own recognizance. The victim, Randy Campbell Jr., 17, was hospitalized after the attack but has since been discharged. Police said the attack occurred around 3 p.m. Tuesday in the 500 block of Thornton Street. Two other adults, Brian Harris, 20, of Second Avenue and Andrew McClearn, 18, of Elm Avenue, as well as a 16-year-old city boy were arrested shortly after the attack on charges of aggravated and simple assault, disorderly conduct and harassment.
Greenville chief to retire
GREENVILLE, Pa. -- Police Chief Thomas Strahler said he is retiring to accept a job as an investigator for the Mercer County Public Defender's office. He is awaiting a vote by the county commissioners to hire him to make it official, expected in August. Strahler, a 27-year veteran of the force, has served as chief for 2 1/2 years, one of those years as acting chief. Saturday will be his last day on the borough police force. The borough has appointed Sgt. Richard Brown as interim chief until a permanent appointment is made to fill the post.
Felger Road closed
NEW MIDDLETOWN -- Felger Road at Donaldson Road in Springfield Township is closed indefinitely because of a washout from storm-water damage to the culvert on Felger Road, township officials said.
Schools receive grants
YOUNGSTOWN -- Several area school districts have received grants to provide programs held outside the regular school day. The programs are intended to provide pupils with experiences in such areas as science, art and culture, entrepreneurship, recreation, character development and drug and violence prevention. The "21st Century Community Grants" were announced Thursday by the Ohio Department of Education. Recipients in this area are: Eagle Heights Academy, $298,836; Youngstown schools, $300,000; Austintown schools, $300,000; Mahoning County Educational Service Center, $490,576; and Girard schools, $227,956.
Man's death investigated
HOWLAND -- Police and the Trumbull County Coroner's office are investigating the death of an employee at Service Guide, 250 Dietz Road. According to 911 officials, someone from the company called around 12:51 p.m. Thursday to report that a hydraulic cylinder exploded and an employee was fatally injured. A man answering the phone at the company, which makes industrial machinery, declined to comment. Officials at the coroner's office said an autopsy is expected to be performed soon. The name of the employee was not being released until relatives are notified.
Odometer-tampering case
WARREN -- A 46-year-old Niles man has pleaded innocent to charges of tampering with odometers and forgery. Douglas Best, of Merlo Court, entered the pleas Thursday in the courtroom of Judge John Stuard of Trumbull County Common Pleas Court. He is free on a $2,500 bond. The indictment says Best altered an odometer in March 2001. His attorney, Roger Bauer, declined to comment on the case.
Cashier charged
HERMITAGE, Pa. -- Police said they filed charges of theft by unlawful taking against a former cashier at McQuaid's Sunoco on North Hermitage Road. Police said Carla L. Chesmar, 39, of Tamarack Drive, South Pymatuning Township, is accused of stealing $1,000 during June by making fraudulent refunds on items that were never sold. An audit turned up the cash shortage, police said.