Court upholds ruling in 'Santa Claus' suit

Court upholds rulingin 'Santa Claus' suit
WARREN -- A city police officer did not act improperly by arresting a motorist identified as "Santa Claus" on his Ohio driver's license, the 11th District Court of Appeals has ruled.
Santa, whose legal name is Warren Hays, of Warren, was involved in a minor accident in 2002 while driving a motorized sleigh.
Judge Thomas Gysegum of Warren Municipal Court dismissed a misdemeanor charge against Hays of committing a prohibited act, which court officials said means knowingly giving false information to government officials.
His driver's license listed an address of 1 Noel Drive, which does not exist, and said his age was 100.
Hays sued Eric Merkel, then a patrolman, for arresting him maliciously and without cause, resulting in harm to his good name. Judge W. Wyatt McKay of Trumbull County Common Pleas Court granted summary judgment to Merkel and dismissed the suit.
The appeals court upheld Judge McKay's ruling, saying that the facts did not show the arrest was unjust.
Firefighters searchfor teen in river
WARREN -- Firefighters were to resume a search this morning for a 15-year-old girl who a witness reportedly saw jump into the Mahoning River from the Dunstan Drive bridge Monday afternoon.
Chief Ken Nussle said the call came in about 1:45 p.m. when a witness reported seeing the girl, Antoinette Cooper, jump. The girl's address was unavailable this morning, but Nussle said she lives near the bridge.
Crews used a boat to search, but after about four hours hadn't located the girl. Her family said she was still missing this morning, the chief said.
Statewide grouprecognizes judge
WARREN -- A statewide organization of children services agencies will recognize Trumbull County Probate Court Judge Thomas Swift for leadership and advocacy for children and families with a special judicial award.
The award will be given at the Public Children Services Agency of Ohio annual conference Sept. 24.
Judge Swift, who has been probate judge for 25 years, was nominated for the award by Trumbull County Children Services.
Mafia myths and legends
WARREN -- Cleveland author Allan May will present a program on Mafia myths and legends at the main branch of the Warren-Trumbull County Public Library at 6:30 p.m. Sept. 29.
The program will discuss the facts behind famous organized crime stories. It is free and open to the public.
Activists plan protest
WARREN -- Anti-abortion activists are planning the 13th annual Life Chain protest from 2:30 to 3:30 p.m. Oct. 3.
Organizers predict that more than 1,200 participants will line up on Elm Road N.E. from Warren Plaza to Harding High School to pray and wave signs.