Fruit sale proceeds theft

Fruit sale proceeds theft
YOUNGSTOWN -- Gerald Freeman, accused of keeping $4,515, the proceeds of a fruit sale sponsored by The Rayen School band parents club, turned himself in to police Monday evening.
A felony theft warrant had been issued for Freeman last week.
Freeman, 51, of Ohio Avenue, spent the night in the Mahoning County jail pending arraignment today in municipal court. Last month, the treasurer of the band parents club told police that Freeman never deposited the money from a November 2003 fruit sale into the club's bank account.
The treasurer said Freeman had been unreachable since mid-December. Freeman's affiliation with the school was not immediately known.
Doctor charged with fraud
CLEVELAND -- A Youngstown podiatrist is accused of defrauding Medicare by submitting claims for services he never provided.
Dr. Walter M. Malkin, 74, of East Arms Drive, Hubbard, with offices on Gypsy Lane, is accused of submitting claims for surgical procedures on patients for whom he had provided only routine nail care, according to a press release from the United States Department of Justice. Dr. Malkin was charged after an FBI investigation. He is alleged to have filed fraudulent claims from January 1998 through September 2002 and as a result, a press release states, received payments to which he was not entitled totaling about $67,500.
Attempted-murder arrest
YOUNGSTOWN -- The U.S. Marshals fugitive task force, with assistance from the Mahoning Valley Violent Crimes Task Force, arrested Jackie Levonyak, 26, of Mount Vernon Avenue, at his home Monday afternoon. Levonyak is charged with attempted murder and felonious assault with a firearm.
Wash Fido and the Ford
YOUNGSTOWN -- Animal Charity will have a dog and car wash from 10 a.m. until 2 p.m. Saturday at its offices at 3722 South Ave. A dog bath will cost $10, and the cost of a car wash will start at $5 and increase based on the type of vehicle. All proceeds benefit Animal Charity, a nonprofit organization that offers spaying and neutering and pet wellness services.
Honoring volunteers
YOUNGSTOWN -- As part of celebrating the 20th Anniversary of Volunteer Service to Seniors -- a Faith in Action Program, members of Youngstown Rotary will host 20 clients of the Volunteer Service To Seniors program at the 12th annual Lunch in the Park from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Wednesday at Mill Creek Park.
Guests will be served lunch and tour Fellows Riverside Gardens and the Davis Center.
Volunteer Service to Seniors serves people 60 and older in Youngstown and the Mahoning Valley.
"As a Faith In Action program, we look to our neighbors in the community to help our older friends maintain their independence, and the yearly Youngstown Rotary picnic is a wonderful example of volunteer service," said Maureen A. Drummond, program director for Volunteer Services Agency, sponsor of Volunteer Service to Seniors.
High ozone levels
AUSTINTOWN -- The Eastgate Regional Council of Governments says ozone levels are expected to be high today in the Mahoning Valley, irritating eyes and lungs, especially among those with respiratory conditions, and damaging crops. Eastgate is asking Valley residents to avoid filling their cars or using gas-powered lawn mowers until after 7 p.m., as well as to carpool, to help combat ozone creation. Changes in the weather are expected to alleviate the problem by Thursday.
Trustees meeting
NEW SPRINGFIELD -- Springfield Township trustees will hold their regular meeting at 7 p.m. Wednesday at the administration building, 3475 E. South Range Road.
Bartender due in court
NEW SPRINGFIELD -- Bartender Margaret A. Messner, 55, of Springfield Township was due in Mahoning County Common Pleas Court today for arraignment on six counts of drug trafficking. Messner was arrested early Saturday at Smitty's Bar, 14156 Youngstown-Pittsburgh Road. Members of the Mahoning Valley Law Enforcement Task Force, Springfield police and the Ohio Department of Public Safety Investigations Unit seized cash and drugs. She was secretly indicted last week by a county grand jury.