Break-in at tavern

Break-in at tavern
YOUNGSTOWN -- A pickax was found in front of a jukebox inside Southern Tavern on Glenwood Avenue around 3:30 a.m. today after the owner received a call from the burglar alarm company. A burglar apparently used the pickax to bust through a rear wall to gain entry, police said. About $125 was taken from the jukebox and an outside security camera stolen, the owner told police.
Teen caught after chase
YOUNGSTOWN -- After crashing a stolen car and running away from police -- and losing his shoes during the chase -- Willie A. Key, 17, of Halleck Street was caught hiding behind a house on Beechwood Avenue at 2:30 this morning, police said. They said they used lights and sirens as they pursued the car, which struck a utility pole on the Boardman side of Southern Boulevard. Key and his passenger jumped out and ran, police said. The passenger got away. Key was taken to the juvenile justice center to face charges of driving under suspension, receiving stolen property and failure to comply with a police order. Police said two pick-up orders had been issued for Key by juvenile court. The reason for the pick-up orders wasn't immediately available.
Execution date scheduled
COLUMBUS (AP) -- The Ohio Supreme Court set a July execution date Thursday for a death-row inmate who asked his attorneys to stop fighting for him. If executed July 14, Stephen Vrabel of Struthers would be the second Ohio death-row inmate in five years to voluntarily abandon court appeals to speed his execution. A Mahoning County judge ruled in March that Vrabel is competent to drop his appeals. Vrabel was convicted in 1995 of fatally shooting his girlfriend, Susan Clemente, and 3-year-old daughter, Lisa, and stuffing their bodies in a refrigerator and freezer in 1989. Experts hired by prosecutors and the state public defender's office both said Vrabel was competent to drop his appeals. "In this case there have been two independent psychological reviews, both of which have been shown him to be competent," said Kim Norris, a spokeswoman for Attorney General Jim Petro. Vrabel could still pursue federal appeals if he wished, she said.
Contestants for pageant
NILES -- The Mahoning Valley Italian Festival is seeking contestants for the first annual Miss Italian Pageant, which will take place June 10-13 at Eastwood Field. The pageant winner will receive $500; first runner-up, $200; and second runner-up, $100. Call (330) 847-8314 or pick up entry forms at the Eastwood Mall Information Booth.
Boat safety inspections
WARREN -- Free boat safety inspections will be provided from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday and Sunday at the launching area in Mosquito Lake State Park. Inspections will be performed by certified vessel examiners, who will issue State of Ohio safety decals for those boats passing inspections. Members of the Mosquito Lake Power Squadron will provide educational materials and information about the United States Sail and Power Squadrons.
Girl dies in horse accident
CHERRY VALLEY, Ohio (AP) -- A 12-year-old northeast Ohio girl was dragged to death by her horse while picking up stones in a pasture at her family's home. Sarah Kness of Cherry Valley, who suffered injuries to her body, head and neck, died Tuesday afternoon at St. Joseph Health Center in Andover shortly after the accident. She had a lead rope around her waist and around her horse's neck when something spooked the horse, said Ashtabula County coroner's investigator Rich Mongell. Sarah's mother, Anita Kness, said Sarah was devoted to her horse and had been horseback riding for about a year. "Her horse meant everything to her," she said. Kness said the family is planning to sell both of its horses. Cherry Valley is about 55 miles east of Cleveland.
Still in serious condition
LISBON -- Dean P. Santee, 71, of East Rochester, was in serious condition in St. Elizabeth Health Center, Youngstown, with injuries he suffered in a two-car crash Tuesday evening in Butler Township. Santee's wife, Peggy, 70, was killed in the crash when their car collided with another vehicle on Georgetown-Damascus Road, four miles south of U.S. Route 62. The driver and passenger in the other car were not seriously injured. The Lisbon post of the Ohio State Highway Patrol is investigating. No citations have yet been issued.