Warren records first homicide of the year

Warren records firsthomicide of the year
WARREN -- The city has recorded its first homicide of 2005.
A 20-year-old Warren man died in a car late Sunday, shot in a Highland Homes parking lot.
Ladell V. Smith of 1741 Southwest Blvd. was found after officer Tim Parana responded to shots being fired in the housing development about 11:15 p.m.
Arriving at the 348 Lane Drive lot, the patrolman saw a 1996 Chevrolet with the driver's and passenger side windows broken out.
The police report states Smith was in the driver's seat and died at the scene.
He was taken to Forum Health Trumbull Memorial Hospital. The coroner's office and detectives are investigating.
Libertarian leader
AUSTINTOWN -- The Mahoning Valley Libertarian Party is hosting a meeting for the public to meet Robert Butler, executive director of the Libertarian Party of Ohio.
The meeting will be at 7 p.m. Wednesday at the Comfort Inn and Suites on Clarkins Drive, near Interstate 80 and state Route 46.
For more information, contact Randy Vulcan (330) 424-2856 or rvulcan@neo.rr.com.
Mother arrested
WARREN -- A 27-year-old Warren woman is charged with child endangering after briefly leaving her 15-month-old child on a street corner.
Police report Nicole Brown of 2246 S. Feederle was arrested "after she left her baby at the corner of Autumn and Linda" Drive on the northwest side, about 5:40 p.m. Friday.
A witness stated the baby was dropped off on the corner, and the woman circled around in a vehicle and picked the baby back up.
No other details were available.
Man wanted since 1997
YOUNGSTOWN -- Nearly eight years ago, William Wilkins Jr. was supposed to be sentenced in municipal court on a probation violation that stemmed from a 1994 case.
Wilkins, 30, of Selma Avenue, didn't show, and a warrant was issued for his arrest in June 1997. The arrest took place at 10:30 p.m. Sunday in the 1300 block of Victor Street.
Police were sent to the location based on a report that two men, one of whom was Wilkins, were arguing and causing a disturbance.
The officers, before telling the men to move along, checked to see if they had any outstanding warrants. That's when Wilkins' warrant was discovered.
Market clerk robbed
YOUNGSTOWN -- A clerk at Belmont Food Mart, 911 Belmont Ave., was handed a note around 10 p.m. Sunday that said: "You are being robbed and my friend has a gun. If you don't give us the money, we will kill you."
The robber then told her to put all the money in a paper bag, including large bills kept under the counter, and to give him back the note.
The clerk complied. The two suspects, in their mid to late 20s, then fled.
Jailed for abuse
AUSTINTOWN -- A state Route 46 man will spend 10 days in jail after being convicted of using an electronic fly swatter on his girlfriend's children.
Joseph Jones Sr., 37, was convicted of domestic violence Monday in Mahoning County Court. Police said Jones also was sentenced to one year probation and must undergo anger management.
Jones' girlfriend's three children told investigators in August that when they were grounded, Jones would make them sit motionless at the kitchen table for 15 hours.
If they moved, Jones would punch them, shock them with the fly swatter, or beat them with a leather belt or yard stick, depending on how they had moved.