Hubbard Expressway

Hubbard Expressway
YOUNGSTOWN -- The state's Transportation Review Advisory Council has voted to retain $2.7 million to pay for part of the design work on the proposed Hubbard Expressway.
The long-discussed $74 million project would connect Albert Street on Youngstown's East Side with Interstate 80 in Hubbard Township.
No violation of law
WARREN -- The Newton Falls Joint Fire District did not violate the law when it hired George Prelac, a former Newton Township trustee, to serve as paid fire chief, the 11th District Court of Appeals has ruled.
The decision upheld a summary judgment by Judge Andrew Logan of Trumbull County Common Pleas Court to throw out the suit.
The plaintiff, Mildred Antolini, argued that Prelac should return salary payments totaling about $2,000, because of a state law that forbids trustees from taking a job as township fire chief under certain situations.
The appeals court ruled that those situations did not exist with the joint fire district.
Prelac was defeated for re-election as trustee last year. He no longer serves as fire chief.
Credit card misuse
NILES -- A Girard man told police he believes a family member may have taken his credit card and used it to charge thousands of dollars.
The Chrysann Drive man said he received a bank statement showing the card had been used at several ATMs and stores throughout Niles in March and April, and charges totaled $4,632.
Sexual harassment alleged
YOUNGSTOWN -- A woman is seeking in excess of $25,000 for alleged sexual harassment and wrongful discharge.
April L. Kirkwood of Millicent Avenue, Liberty, filed the lawsuit Monday in Mahoning County Common Pleas Court against Cumulus Broadcasting Inc. of Youngstown and John Trout, the program director at radio station WHOT FM 101, which Cumulus owns.
The lawsuit gives no specifics of the alleged harassment.
Kirkwood left the job as a WHOT radio personality March 15, 2004.
She started in March 2003, according to the suit.
Kirkwood also contends she was hired under false pretenses that she would be syndicated and receive additional income.
Trout could not be reached to comment.
Policeman's itemsstolen from car
YOUNGSTOWN -- Struthers Patrolman Thomas V. Granchie reported to city police that a wide variety of his police equipment was stolen from his unlocked car in a parking lot on Salt Springs Road.
Among the items taken were a .45-caliber semiautomatic pistol, 10 clips, .40-caliber ammunition, uniform shirt and pants, work boots, bulletproof vest, badge, duty belt with holster and handcuff case, Motorola 16-channel radio with lapel microphone, night stick, and a buck knife and case.
Granchie told police that he worked night security at a business in the 2700 block of Salt Springs and discovered the theft early Monday morning.
Also taken were personal items such as his home garage door opener and cigarettes.
Value of the stolen items was estimated at $2,500.
Salem Twp. fatality
LEETONIA -- A village man was killed in a one-car crash in Salem Township.
The Lisbon post of the Ohio State Highway Patrol said Gary F. Davis, 58, of Summit Street was driving north on Lisbon Road around 8 a.m. Monday when his car went off the right side of the road.
The patrol said Davis was ejected from the vehicle as it struck a ditch and overturned, then hit several small trees.
Apartment break-in
SALEM -- Someone broke into an apartment on the 190 block of West Pershing Street and stole about $1,650 worth of items, police said.
Among the items taken were a DVD player, rings, $300 in cash and a child's bank.
The crime was reported about 2:10 p.m. Monday.
200 CDs stolen
SALEM -- About 200 CDs were stolen from a car that was burglarized.
The owner, who lives in the 500 block of South Union Avenue, reported the crime about 9:59 p.m. Monday, police said.