Phone threat reported

Phone threat reported
BOARDMAN -- A township trustee reported a threatening message left on her home answering machine. Robyn Gallitto, 43, of Griswold Drive, told police she received the message Monday from a California telephone number. The male caller mispronounced her name, called her a derogatory name and said that she should be shot.
Commissioner race
WARREN -- Joe Williams, a former Warren City Council president, has withdrawn from the Democratic primary contest for Trumbull County commissioner. The county elections board received a letter from Williams on Monday saying he was withdrawing because of a family illness, which would make it impossible to devote attention to the race.
Williams was one of six Democrats seeking to represent the party in November to fill the position currently held by James Tsagaris, who chose not to run for a third term. The five Democrats remaining are Warren restaurateur Mauro Cantalamessa, Niles Councilman Frank Fuda, political newcomer Ted Harrell, current Warren Council President Robert Marchese and Girard Mayor James Melfi. The winner will face Republican Nikki Frenchko of Warren in November.
Guilty in traffic death
YOUNGSTOWN -- Stephan Carlomagna, 19, of Warner Road, Hubbard, pleaded guilty Thursday in Mahoning County Common Pleas Court to one count each of aggravated vehicular homicide and driving under the influence. Carlomagna will be sentenced in May by Judge R. Scott Krichbaum. Carlomagna was driving a car that was involved in a head-on crash Nov. 19 at Mahoning and Maryland avenues in Youngstown. His passenger, 18-year-old Edrow W. Stargell of Liberty, was killed. Carlomagna's blood-alcohol content registered 0.187 after the crash. The legal limit is 0.08.
Tower variance appeal
YOUNGSTOWN -- Owners of an assisted-living center are appealing a city board of zoning appeals decision regarding construction of a cell phone tower. The appeal was filed recently in Mahoning County Common Pleas Court by Schenley Properties LLC, which operates Inn at Christine Valley on Schenley Avenue.
The board in February granted a variance to T-Mobile Central, which wants to build a cell phone tower on Kirkmere School property. The school, at 2851 Kirk Road, is adjacent to the assisted-living center. The variance reduced setback requirements from 180 feet to 16 feet. Representatives of Schenley Properties have said the cell phone tower would interfere with expansion plans for Inn at Christine Valley.
Arsons burn 2 houses
YOUNGSTOWN -- Two fires were deliberately set on the South Side late Wednesday, reports show. At 9:14 p.m., firefighters were sent to 70 E. Florida Ave., a vacant three-story house. Damage was listed at $21,000, a total loss. The fire department requested demolition of the remains.
At 11:32 p.m., crews were sent to 2728 Hillman St., another three-story vacant house. Damage was set at $20,000, a total loss. The fire department requested the site be cleaned up, reports show.
Passport processing
LISBON -- The Columbiana County Clerk of Courts Title Office is now processing the paperwork to obtain U.S. passports.
At the end of 2006, federal law will require people to have a passport to visit Canada, Mexico, South America and the Caribbean by plane or ship. At the end of 2007, all land, water or air border crossings will require a passport. There is presently a six- to eight-week waiting period to get a passport.
The cost for people 16 and over is $67 with a $30 processing fee. The cost for a passport for a person age 15 or younger is $52 and the $30 fee. The office can take a photo for an additional $21.30.
The paperwork is available and can be downloaded at www.ccclerk.org. The title office is at 3883 Saltwell Road.
Drug charge on I-80
MERCER, Pa. -- A Brooklyn, New York, man was found with nearly a pound of suspected heroin during a traffic stop in Interstate 80. Pennsylvania State Police said Pablo Fermin, 40, was stopped on a charge of speeding at 1:33 p.m. Monday. They found the suspected drug inside his van. Police said he was arraigned and placed in Mercer County Jail after failing to post a $100,000 bond.