Cigarette leads to fire

Cigarette leads to fire
YOUNGSTOWN -- The resident of 90 Essex St. told firefighters he thought he'd put out a cigarette that he dropped on a couch early Wednesday, but returned around 3 a.m. from walking his dog to find the house on fire. Fire reports show the first floor of the two-story wood house was engulfed in flames when firefighters arrived. The second-floor joists were coming down, which prohibited entrance to half of the first floor. A fire captain twisted his knee trying to open the side door. Damage to the house was estimated at $5,000 and $1,000 to the contents.
Antique car, tractor show
FOWLER -- Fowler Township Historical Society will host an antique car and tractor show and Chinese auction noon to 5 p.m. Saturday at David and Melissa Butt's House Museum, at state Routes 193 and 305. The drawing for the auction will be at 3 p.m. Admission is free and there is no entry fee for cars and tractors. Music will be by Wildwood Express. For more information, call Dave Cover at (330) 637-2006 or Judy McDonald at (330) 638-6646.
Free electrical classes
WARREN -- The Rebecca Williams Community Center, 421 Main Ave., is offering free electrical classes, but class space is limited. The weekly classes are 5 to 6 p.m. Mondays; free math tutoring is available at 4 p.m. for students who would like some extra help.
A retired engineer will lead hands-on lab sessions and discussions related to basic home wiring. Topics include safety, circuit breakers, panels, wire gauges, standard and special wiring, and the proper use of hand tools and meters. Students will learn to analyze and correct minor wiring problems at home and gain confidence to pursue higher education, a vocational career, or enter the work force.
A federal grant has provided all necessary tools and supplies. For more information, contact Tommy Lee Perry at (330) 399-2582.
TV talent hunt, picnic
WEST MIDDLESEX, Pa. -- Crossing Paths, a local television ministry, will have its annual picnic and television talent hunt at 2 p.m. Sunday at the Shenango Township Park, 3439 Hubbard-West Middlesex Road.
Special guests will be Strongman Steve McGranahan, who appeared on "The Tonight Show," and Linda Webber, who sings "Let's Take America Back." She got her start with Crossing Paths.
Meat and beverage will be provided. If you plan on attending, bring a covered dish, a dessert and lawn chairs. Crossing Paths encourages children to see McGranahan or bring your own talents to perform at this annual event.
Contact Dave Poling if you are going to sing or do another act. The public is invited, but make a reservation by calling (724) 981-7777.
Man charged with theft
YOUNGSTOWN -- Bernard E. Carter, 36, of West Judson Avenue is charged with stealing two sex toys worth $20 from Uptown Books on Market Street. He was arraigned Wednesday in municipal court on a theft charge and will be back in court Sept. 28 for a pretrial. Police caught Carter near Chicago Avenue on Tuesday afternoon. A store clerk identified him as the man who took at least one sex toy and stuffed it down his pants and ran out. Police said Carter had two still-packaged sex toys on him when arrested.
Man accused of graffiti
YOUNGSTOWN -- Martin Reinkemeyer, 29, of Broadway Street is accused of using a can of spray paint to write "ZIG ZAG" at Edwards Flower Shop garage on Elm Street, causing $2,000 damage. Reinkemeyer was caught around 1 a.m. Tuesday. Reinkemeyer was charged with vandalism and arraigned Tuesday in municipal court, where bond was set at $2,500. He will be back in court Sept. 8 for a pretrial.