Candidate withdraws

Candidate withdraws
STRUTHERS -- Jeri D. Bell of Lyon Boulevard has withdrawn her name from Tuesday's election ballot as a Struthers Board of Education candidate. Five candidates will run for three seats on the Struthers school board.
Flier offends candidate
AUSTINTOWN -- A township trustee candidate has filed a complaint with police about a derogatory flier he found in his mailbox.
Samuel Swoger III, who is in the running for one of two open seats against Warren "Bo" Pritchard and David Ditzler, incumbents, and challenger Ed Rowland, said he found the flier at 9:30 a.m. Wednesday.
The anonymous flier, which police have on file, contains remarks and accusations about Swoger concerning his coaching with the Little Falcons youth football league and his work with the township Fourth of July committee. Swoger told police he also reported the flier to the U.S. Postal Service.
Robber takes $9,000
YOUNGSTOWN -- An armed robber made off with a bank bag that contained $9,000 after confronting the office manager of U.S. Trading Post on Poland Avenue around 10:15 p.m. Wednesday, reports show. The manager said the suspect approached just as she pulled into the business parking lot after coming from the bank. She said she was grabbed from behind by the robber. The suspect is described as a 30-year-old, 5-foot-7-inch white or biracial man who weighs 170 pounds. He was wearing a black skull cap and black nylon coat and blue bandanna around his mouth.
Fire's cause determined
JOHNSTON -- An overheated wood burner is being blamed for a fire that destroyed an old farmhouse along state Route 193. Fire officials said Thursday that the flames broke out about 11:30 p.m. Wednesday at the 2 1/2-story frame structure in the 5900 block of Route 193 occupied by John Fox. Officials said Fox noticed the fire, called 911 and got out safely. Flames heavily damaged the first and second floors and burned down the garage. Departments from Kinsman, Burghill-Vernon, Gustavus, Mecca, Cortland and Fowler assisted Johnston firefighters.
Crack confiscated
SALEM -- The Columbiana County Drug Task Force confiscated $1,000 worth of crack cocaine and $300 during a raid Thursday at a Washington Street home.
The homeowner was not charged. The task force said arrests are pending as the investigation continues.
Also taking part in the raid were the Columbiana County Sheriff's Office Special Response Team, Salem Police, and the Ohio Bureau of Criminal Identification and Investigation.
Driver to face charges
HUBBARD -- A city man will be back in Girard Municipal Court on Wednesday to face a list of charges filed by police after a Thursday morning traffic stop.
Willie L. Oliver, 19, who lists addresses on Johnny K Boulevard in the city and Judson Avenue in Youngstown, was pulled over by police at 1:57 a.m. on Raymond Drive. He was arrested for not having two headlights, having an illegal license plate and driving under suspension. Police also found two guns, suspected cocaine and marijuana in the car along with $223 in cash.
Oliver pleaded innocent to two traffic violations, driving under suspension, two counts of carrying a concealed weapon and drug abuse at an arraignment Thursday. He is in Trumbull County jail on $55,000 bond.
83-year-old robbed
YOUNGSTOWN -- An 83-year-old East Judson Avenue man getting out of his car in his garage around 9:40 a.m. Thursday was grabbed from behind, knocked to the ground during a struggle and robbed, police said. The victim said his wallet, which had $12 in it, was removed from his pants pocket by the robber, who then ran. The suspect is described as a 21-year-old, 5-foot-11-inch black man who weighs 140 pounds. He was wearing a black hoodie and brown pants.
Man jailed for assault
MERCER, Pa. -- A Farrell man was given a jail term Thursday in Mercer County Common Pleas Court for disorderly conduct and simple assault.
Judge Christopher St. John sentenced Robert Wright, 51, of Lee Avenue to seven months to two years in jail for disorderly conduct and simple assault. Court documents say on Aug. 24, 2004, Wright choked a pregnant woman and struck a man in the face and arm at the Lee Avenue address.