Hit-and-run victim ID'd

Hit-and-run victim ID'd
YOUNGSTOWN -- The victim of an apparent hit-and-run Sunday on the city's South Side has been identified as 61-year-old Marilyn Guthrie of Niles, Mahoning County Coroner David M. Kennedy said.
According to a news release, the coroner used dental records to identify Guthrie, who lived in the Carnegie Arms Apartments, 1932 Youll St.
Guthrie was killed Sunday night in a possible hit-and-run on Parkcliffe Avenue. The manner and cause of death are pending the completion of the investigation, according to the news release.
Lt. Robin Lees, Youngstown Police Department spokesman, said that the case is a homicide and that "the investigation will proceed along whatever course it takes."
Guns-N-Hoses blood drive
BOARDMAN -- The American Red Cross will have the 2005 Guns-N-Hoses blood drive from 1 to 6 p.m. Thursday at the Boardman Township Government Center, 8299 Market St.
The blood drive, sponsored by the Boardman police and fire departments, will give away free "Guns-N-Hoses" T-shirts to donors.
Donors must present two forms of identification. They also must be at least 17 years of age, in good health and weigh at least 110 pounds.
Puppy found strangled
YOUNGSTOWN -- Police found a tan dog strangled to death Monday in a house on Shelby Road.
Owner Gregory Johnson, 23, found his 1-year-old puppy next to a couch with "a bag of Cool Ranch Doritos completely covering his head," according to a police report. Dave Nelson, deputy Mahoning County dog warden, investigated the scene and confirmed the animal was strangled.
Rented equipment stolen
YOUNGSTOWN -- An $11,000 piece of rented equipment was stolen Sunday night from a site at 360 E. Federal St.
Gary Schultz, owner of Schultz Universal Inc., which had rented a trash grapple from a Caterpillar rental store, said he has no idea why someone would steal the item. Because a trash grapple attaches to a front end loader and is used to clamp debris, the equipment is useless by itself, he said.
Howland schools hire staff
HOWLAND -- The board of education hired a township woman as the district's new high school math teacher. During a special meeting Monday, the board voted to hire Alesha Argeras, said Superintendent John Rubesich. She will begin her new job next month. The board also accepted the resignations of Kevin Spicher, a middle school science teacher, Mike Hall, a high school math teacher, and Janet Horsley, a cook.
Man charged with arson
AUSTINTOWN -- A North Raccoon Road man faces charges of arson, aggravated arson and aggravated menacing, accused of setting his former girlfriend's car on fire. Richard Rogers Jr., 20, is to appear Thursday in Mahoning County Court.
The mother of an 18-year-old Maple Leaf Drive woman told police that Rogers came to the home Monday evening, asking to see the woman, his former girlfriend. The mother refused and closed the front door. Witnesses told police they saw a man, later identified as Rogers, pouring gasoline in and on his former girlfriend's car, which was parked in the driveway of Maple Leaf. He fled before police and firefighters had arrived but was apprehended in Niles by local police.
Home improvement scam
YOUNGSTOWN -- Bond was set Tuesday at $50,000 for a man charged in an attempted home improvement scam, prosecutors said.
James Jackson, 30, of 2847 Youngstown Ave. in McDonald, was arraigned on a charge of theft on allegations that he failed to complete home renovations as defined in a contract he signed with a 55-year-old Youngstown woman in July 2002.