Man charged in break-in at Youngstown church

Man charged in break-inat Youngstown church
YOUNGSTOWN -- Jack E. Howell, 43, of McMyer Northwest, Warren, was arrested Saturday on a charge of breaking and entering St. Peter's Baptist Church on North Avenue, police said. Detective Sgt. Mark Wollet, responding to the church alarm Saturday morning, saw a man who matched the description of the break-in suspect walking on Foster Street carrying an amplifier. The amplifier was identified as church property, police said. A large rock was used to break out a church window and gain entry.
Men face drug charges
YOUNGSTOWN -- Seven men face drug charges after two raids Saturday evening by members of the vice squad and are expected to be arraigned today in municipal court. At 596 Cohasset Drive, police charged Allen H. Underwood, 25, of West Lucius Avenue, with trafficking in crack cocaine and he was served with four outstanding warrants; Leighland Johnson, 19, of East Auburndale Avenue, drug abuse (marijuana); Lennill Bush Jr., 34, of Hillman Street, same; Kenneth Hubbard, 24, of Mumford Drive, same; and Dana M. Wallace, 44, of Kenmore Avenue, possession of drug paraphernalia. At 377 W. Glenaven Ave., police charged Kevin L. West, 18, of Clearmont Avenue, with trafficking in powdered and crack cocaine, trafficking in marijuana, illegal possession of a gun and possession of drug paraphernalia. The resident, Boyd W. Robinson, 57, was charged with permitting drug abuse, reports show.
Prison vs. treatment
FARRELL, Pa. -- The Shenango Valley Initiative is sponsoring a community forum on "Treatment Instead of Prison" at 7 p.m. Thursday at Faith Christian Center Ministries, 901 Fruit Ave. The event will be a data-gathering event involving local judges and attorneys from both sides of the criminal justice system. The presenters will participate in an open forum about whether certain inmates charged with drug use and/or drug abuse crimes should receive treatment rather than prison. The public will be asked to give feedback on the topic. As a followup, SVI and other organizations will work with the courts to offer suggestions to revise or update the court system. This fall, possible changes will be announced at an SVI meeting.
Seminar to cover consumer protection
LISBON -- The Columbiana County Community Action Agency will be holding a seminar on consumer protection from 6 to 8 p.m. Thursday at the CAA Community Development Department, 7860 Lincoln Place. Topics to be covered include: identity theft, predatory lending practices and protecting yourself while shopping online. Speakers include: Craig Brown, Columbiana County recorder; Martina Grimm, CAA financial services coordinator; and Chuck Patton from PC Patton Services. Seating is limited to 20 participants; call CAA at (330) 424-4013, Ext. 264, to reserve a seat.