Deadly fire called arson

Deadly fire called arson
YOUNGSTOWN -- The fire that claimed the life of 50-year-old John Moore at 407 Norwood Ave. early Monday was deliberately set, said Capt. Alvin Ware, commander of the arson bureau. Ware said Tuesday that an accelerant was detected on the porch where the fire started. He said a cause of death is pending an autopsy but believes it was likely smoke inhalation. Moore was found in a second-floor bathroom of the house, which had no utilities. Ware said the case is being investigated as an aggravated arson. A neighbor heard an explosion around 1 a.m. and called 911.
Man reports car jacking
YOUNGSTOWN -- A 50-year-old East Side man sitting in his car with a friend in the 1400 block of Stewart Avenue around 12:20 a.m. Tuesday had a gun put to his head during a car jacking, reports show. The gunman told both occupants to get out of the car and ordered them to the ground, police said. The suspect took the passenger's wallet, then drove off in the car, a 1990 Saab, police said.
Bar hit with bogus bills
YOUNGSTOWN -- Counterfeit $20s -- $340 worth -- were accepted by a barmaid at a South Avenue bar who didn't realize until 2:30 a.m. Monday when she went to pay the cook that the money was no good, reports show. Police are investigating the possibility that a regular customer of the bar passed the phony money during a three-hour period. The bogus bills were taken by police.
Food drive initiated
MERCER, Pa. -- The Mercer Area Chamber of Commerce Civic Committee is sponsoring a food drive through Sept. 30. Nonperishable food items will be given to the Loaves & amp; Fishes, the Sharing Shed and the United Methodist Church Lunch Program.
Food can be donated at these businesses: Chamber of Commerce office, the Courthouse Square Dry Goods, Curves of Mercer, Dotty's Sewing & amp; Alterations, The Gallery, the Mercer Library, the Lunch Box, the Mercer Mercantile & amp; Soda Shoppe, Mercer Hardware, Pizza Joe's, Sarah's Thrift Shop, Shannon's Kandy Kitchen and Walts.
Child advocates desired
YOUNGSTOWN -- The guardian ad litem program of the Mahoning County Court Appointed Special Advocates office is recruiting volunteers for training this fall.
The program requires 30 hours of classroom training over six weeks to be a court-appointed special advocate.
Volunteers investigate cases of child abuse and neglect filed through the juvenile court. Volunteers are given an oath of confidentiality and commitment for one year, advocating in one case.
The application deadline is Sept. 23. For more information, call the CASA office at (330) 740-2239.
Road closes for repairs
SHARON, Pa. -- Division Street will be closed between Stambaugh and Indiana Avenues from 7 a.m. to 3 p.m. today and Thursday for road repairs.
Four ponds vandalized
BOARDMAN -- Vandals poured soap or detergent into the ponds in front of four township businesses.
A representative of Pondscape, Boardman-Poland Road, reported that soap or detergent had been poured into that business's pond early Sunday. The representative also reported seeing bubbles in the fountain/pond at Boardman United Methodist Church, Market Street.
Police also saw bubbles in ponds at Beeghly Medical Park, Market Street; and at American Beauty Landscaping, South Avenue, that same day.
Candidates featured
BOARDMAN -- The Boardman Civic Association will conduct its annual candidates' night at 6:30 p.m. Monday at Boardman Community Center in the township park.
The program will feature candidates for township trustee and school board. Spokesmen also will address ballot issues concerning the school district, township and park.
The cost of the dinner is $15, and reservations may be made by calling (330) 726-9736. The free program begins at 7 p.m.