Boardman fire was arson, marshal says

Boardman fire wasarson, marshal says
BOARDMAN -- An August fire and explosion that sent a woman to the hospital has been declared an arson.
The Ohio State Fire Marshal's office announced Tuesday that deliberate actions caused the blaze at 120 Clifton Drive.
Firefighters from the township fire department responded to the fire and explosion at the two-story home and found the first floor of the house engulfed.
Sharon A. Padilla, 43, who lived at the house, was found in the bed of a pickup truck parked in the driveway. She was taken to the burn unit of Akron Children's Hospital where she remained for several weeks.
The force of the blast pushed out a wall, and a side door from the house was in the driveway, according to a police report.
The marshal's office fire and explosion investigation bureau is continuing to investigate. Investigators ask anyone with information to contact the office at (800) 589-2728.
Boil notice issued
CANFIELD -- The Youngstown Water Department has issued a boil notice for all residents of Curtis Drive in the township.
The notice is in effect today. A water main will be shut down from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. to extend a waterline to a new house on Curtis.
When service is restored, users should boil cooking or drinking water for one minute until further notice, officials said. The boil order will be lifted after tests confirm the water is again safe to drink.
Struthers forums
STRUTHERS -- The Struthers Committee for Better Education, which is promoting an additional 6.9-mill continuing levy for Struthers Schools, is sponsoring a public forum at 6:30 p.m. Thursday at Struthers Middle School, 800 Fifth St. There will be a presentation by the levy committee followed by a question-and-answer session.
Immediately after the levy forum, the Struthers Parent-Teachers Association will conduct a board of education candidate forum, at which each candidate will have an opportunity to talk about his candidacy.
Guest moderator for the evening is Madonna Chism Pinkard, community relations director for WFMJ.
Halloween holdup
YOUNGSTOWN -- A man who had black eyeliner going from eyebrows to cheeks, described as "Ozzie Osbourne-ish," implied he had a gun when he held up a clerk at the Subway shop on Canfield Road on Monday evening, police said.
Academy pupil arrested
YOUNGSTOWN -- A 13-year-old Summit Academy girl who police said brought a knife to the Oak Hill Avenue school and used it to cut a seat on a bus was arrested Monday.
The knife was found in the Plaza View Court girl's coat pocket.
The girl was charged with criminal damaging and conveyance of a deadly weapon onto school property and taken to the Martin P. Joyce Juvenile Justice Center.
Man reports robbery
YOUNGSTOWN -- A 70-year-old Cassius Avenue man told police he was robbed of his wallet by three teenage boys near the McGuffey Plaza on Monday.
Retirement party
AUSTINTOWN -- The public is invited to the retirement party for township patrolman Thomas Heinz. The party will be at 6 p.m. Nov. 12 at the Regency House, 3704 Mahoning Ave.
Heinz retired Oct. 1 after more than 30 years in the department.
Anyone wishing to attend should call patrolman Jeff Toth at (330) 233-5624. The deadline to buy tickets is Monday.
Story time at mall
HERMITAGE, Pa. -- The Shenango Valley Mall will have a children's story time with Clifford the Big Red Dog at 2 p.m. Saturday.
The free event will be held in the Sears Court at the mall, 3303 E. State St.