911 center threat denied

911 center threat denied
YOUNGSTOWN -- Jaismin A. Morris told municipal Judge Robert A. Douglas Jr. that she didn't threaten to blow up the 911 center but used "blow up" as slang, meaning she would keep calling. Police who listened to the audio tape said her meaning was clear -- she told the 911 call taker Monday evening that if an officer didn't respond immediately to take a report she would blow up the 911 center. Morris, 18, of North Portland Avenue, is charged with aggravated menacing. At arraignment Tuesday, Morris entered a no-contest plea to the charge, but the judge entered an innocent plea on her behalf and set bond at $1,500. Morris had wanted to report that the father of her baby took the child while she was away.
Jewelry store burglary
WARREN -- A well-known downtown jewelry store was the victim of a smash-and-grab burglary. Police responding to an alarm at Thom Duma Jewelers, 115 W. Market St., at 2:36 a.m. Tuesday found the front door glass broken out, four cases smashed, a hammer and sledge hammer on the floor and a hammer in one of the smashed jewelry cases. A store employee, who was called to the scene, told police numerous watches and men's jewelry items were taken.
Chamber backs levy
SALEM -- The Salem Area Chamber of Commerce has endorsed the district's 4.3-mill levy that will appear on the May 2 primary ballot for Salem schools. The chamber announced Tuesday it had approved the measure last week during its board of directors meeting. By endorsing the levy, the chamber said it is supporting the district's effort to avoid a fiscal emergency. The district is under a state-ordered fiscal watch, and it must create a plan to balance its budget.
Bomb squad gets suits
YOUNGSTOWN -- Detective Sgt. Joe DeMatteo, commander of the Youngstown Police Department bomb squad, traveled to Columbus today to accept two bomb suits bought with Ohio Homeland Security funds. DeMatteo is a member of the Ohio Homeland Security bomb squad technicians group. He said the suits were bought for roughly $17,500 each with a federal grant. In all, 29 bomb suits were to be distributed today to 18 bomb squads throughout the state. The YPD five-member bomb squad covers Mahoning, Trumbull, Columbiana and Jefferson counties. Bomb squad technicians will go elsewhere if requested by the federal bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, DeMatteo said.
Register for primary
NEW CASTLE, Pa. -- The last day to register to vote in the upcoming Pennsylvania primary election is Monday. This includes new registrations, change of address, party and name. The Lawrence County elections office is open from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Any mailed registrations must be postmarked with Monday's date. The last day to apply for an absentee ballot in Lawrence County is May 9, and all voted ballots must be received by May 12. The Pennsylvania Primary Election is May 16. For more details, call the elections office at (724) 656-2177.
Crash victim dies
STONBORO, Pa. -- A Mercer man died of injuries he suffered in a crash more than a week ago. Pennsylvania State Police said Ryan Connelly, 22, of Pitt Street, died Monday at UPMC Presbyterian in Pittsburgh. Police said Connelly crashed into a tree on Lyons Road here April 1.