2 robbers, 1 armed, hit check-cashing site

2 robbers, 1 armed,hit check-cashing site
LIBERTY -- Two masked men -- one of them armed -- got away with an undisclosed amount of cash Wednesday morning from Advance America, a check-cashing business at 3231 Belmont Ave.
Police said the men, wearing dark coats, hoods and masks, walked in and demanded cash. An employee handed over the money and the robbers fled.
There were no injuries.
Firefighters probeblaze, suspecting kids
YOUNGSTOWN -- Firefighters are investigating a fire at 881 E. Philadelphia Ave. they believe was started by children at the home.
Firefighters were called to the home around 10:30 p.m. Tuesday and were at the scene about an hour.
The fire was contained to a small upstairs bathroom of the two-story house, where firefighters found a towel burning on the floor.
There were three children visiting at the home, but none would admit starting the fire, firefighters said.
No loss estimate was available. There were no injuries reported.
Missing PTA money
AUSTINTOWN -- A woman who is charged with felony grand theft over $2,000 missing from an elementary school PTA has a preliminary hearing set in county court here.
Melissa Crago, 26, of Riblett Road, is scheduled to appear in court Dec. 1 at 11 a.m.
Police charged Crago, the former treasurer of the Davis Elementary PTA, in October after an investigation by township police revealed several discrepancies in her accounting.
Police grievance denied
MINERAL RIDGE -- Weathersfield Township trustees denied a grievance from a member of the police department at a special meeting earlier this week.
Trustee James Stoddard said the grievance had been filed over the way overtime was scheduled.
Mercer checkpoints set
SHARON, Pa. -- The Pennsylvania State Police will be conducting sobriety checkpoints in Mercer County through Sunday.
The checkpoint is part of the governor's initiative to reduce crashes, prevent injuries and save lives.
Locations are to be determined through up-to-date crash data collected by the department.
The intention is to focus on areas with a high number of DUI-related crashes.
Hurricane relief funds
YOUNGSTOWN -- The YSU chapter of Eta Sigma Gamma, the national Health Education Honorary, has raised $1,100 for hurricane relief efforts on the Gulf Coast.
The honorary had set a goal of $1,084, which represented one dollar for each of the 1,084 miles from YSU to New Orleans.
Group members sold Mardi Gras beads on campus for $1 each to raise the money.
Eta Sigma Gamma representatives will present the money Monday to Vicky Gill, public relations director of the Mahoning County Chapter of the Red Cross.
Police, task force raidEast Liverpool homes
EAST LIVERPOOL -- The Columbiana County Drug Task Force and city police used search warrants to raid two homes in two days.
The first raid was at about 6:30 p.m. Tuesday. Police found 6.2 grams of suspected crack cocaine valued at $700, a small amount of suspected Ecstasy valued at $60, suspected steroids, scales and packing materials.
Police also found an infrared surveillance system, a bulletproof vest and four firearms, one of which had been stolen from across the Ohio River in Hancock County, W.Va.
A house at 1210 Pennsylvania Ave. was raided at about 8:30 a.m. Wednesday. Police seized small amounts of suspected marijuana, cocaine, scales and other drug paraphernalia.
Arrests are pending in both cases as the investigation continues, the task force said.
Girl Scouts' gift offerings
NILES -- Holiday gift items are now available for purchase at the Girl Scouts of Lake To River Council office here, including chocolate-covered raisins or peanuts for $5.50 and whole cashews for $7. Gift tins of candy fruit slices or honey-roasted peanuts are $4. Candles-in-a jar are $6.
The council office is at 980 Warren Ave.
Call (330) 652-5877 or (800) 362-9430 to make a purchase.