Man to be sentenced for aggravated robbery

Man to be sentencedfor aggravated robbery
WARREN -- A 44-year-old Youngstown man has been convicted of aggravated robbery. A jury deliberated two hours Friday before convicting Anthony Jerome Smith of Norwood Avenue. Judge Andrew Logan of Trumbull County Common Pleas Court said Smith will be sentenced after a background check by the county adult probation department. Smith's trial started Wednesday. Chris Becker, an assistant Trumbull County prosecutor, said Smith robbed the BP Gas Station on the corner of Gypsy Lane and Belmont Avenue in Liberty Township on Sept. 11, 2004.
Meeting scheduled forRoute 422 residents
GIRARD -- City residents living on the west side of U.S. Route 422 are invited to a meeting to discuss a Community Distress Grant the city will seek to benefit that area, Mayor James Melfi said. The meeting will be at 6 p.m. May 23 in city council chambers. The purpose of the meeting is to present the grant application as it will be submitted to the state Department of Development on July 15 and to get citizen comments on it.
Man robbed, beaten
YOUNGSTOWN -- A 55-year-old Coitsville man told police he was robbed after two men forced their way into his truck when he stopped for a red light around 1:30 a.m. Friday on Oak Street at Truesdale Avenue. The victim, who uses a wheelchair, said one of the assailants put a knife to his throat. He was forced to drive them around for several hours and then they threw him to the ground on Payne Court, beat him and took his wallet. The man said the robbers fled and he was able to re-enter his truck. He drove to a gas station on McCartney Road and called police around 4:40 a.m.
Man shot in arm
YOUNGSTOWN -- A 37-year-old Chicago Avenue man told police he was shot in his upper left arm while visiting a woman friend on Evergreen Avenue at 11 p.m. Thursday. The victim said he and his brother had just entered their car when five to seven shots rang out. Several shots hit the driver's side of the car, shattering the window, reports show. The victim was taken for treatment by his brother. No motive or suspects were reported.
Dogs wanted for show
YOUNGSTOWN -- Animal Charity of Ohio Inc. is looking for contestants for its June 5 dog show in Boardman Park. To be entered in the show, a dog must be spayed or neutered and have all its current vaccinations. During the event, all dogs must be on a leash held by their owners, and all dog owners will be required to clean up any waste their pets create. A dog does not need to be a particular breed to be entered in the show. The cost is $10 per contestant. Those interested in participating are asked to register in advance at the Animal Charity of Ohio Inc., 3722 South Avenue, Youngstown.
Meeting canceled
NEW CASTLE -- The Lawrence County commissioners' weekly meeting has been canceled because of the primary election Tuesday. Commissioners will hold their weekly caucus as scheduled at 10 a.m. Thursday. The next regular meeting will be at 10 a.m. May 24 in the commissioners' room at the Lawrence County Government Center. The commissioners will conduct their next monthly evening session at 6:30 p.m. May 31 at the Slippery Rock Township Building on U.S. Route 422.
School budget approved
NEW CASTLE -- The Neshannock school board approved a 2005-06 school budget of $15,365,753. Officials set the school district's real estate tax millage at 12.7 mills, on an assessed valuation of $623,748,800. In other business at its recent meeting, the board awarded a $73,394 contract to Northwest Roofing of Meadville for roof repairs at the high school; agreed to continue the services of district solicitor Atty. Jonathan Solomon at the rate of $100 an hour; approved the retirement of junior high school math teacher Lois Koprivnak, effective June 10; and hired Darcie Bell as drill team adviser and Jaclyn Pfeiffer as her assistant at annual salaries of $1,318 and $608, respectively.
Suicide survivors' meeting
BOARDMAN -- A regular meeting of the Survivors of Suicide, family members and friends who have lost a loved one to suicide, will be held at 7 p.m. Wednesday at Boardman Christian Church, 565 Boardman-Canfield Road. For information, call Help Hotline Crisis Center at (330) 747-2696.