Strickland rally moved

Strickland rally moved
YOUNGSTOWN -- Because of crowd concerns, the Friday rally for U.S. Rep. Ted Strickland, the Democratic Party candidate for Ohio governor, has been moved to the corner of Federal and Market streets near Buffalo Wild Wings from 4 to 6 p.m. Still scheduled to perform is the singing group Boyz II Men. Jim Brown, NFL Hall of Famer and former running back for the Cleveland Browns; U.S. Rep. John Lewis, also a civil-rights activist; and Joey Fatone of the group *NSync, also are scheduled to appear.
Car, police badge stolen
AUSTINTOWN -- A thief got away with a 1992 Ford and a police badge.
The gray Crown Victoria was stolen from a parking lot on South Meridian Road on Monday. The car contained a Boardman police badge belonging to the victim's father along with a wallet, briefcase, keys and several tools.
Child-sex conviction
AKRON -- Richard Murphy, 62, of Mahoning Avenue, Warren, was convicted Wednesday by a Summit County Common Pleas Court jury of gross sexual imposition and illegal use of a minor in nudity-oriented material. He faces a maximum of 13 years in prison when sentenced Sept. 21 by Judge Mary Spicer. The jury was deadlocked on a charge of rape.
According to Sherri Bevan Walsh, county prosecutor, Murphy befriended the a girl and her family in 2002 when the girl was 7 years old. Murphy molested her until she was 10; she did not reveal the abuse until age 13. The prosecutor will determine if the rape charge will be retried.
Reminder about signs
NILES -- Police Chief Bruce Simeone is reminding residents that signs, posters, placards and other advertising is prohibited from being posted on utility poles. The maximum penalty is a $100 fine and up to three months in jail. Simeone said his department is spending too much time removing garage sale, yard sale and political signs from poles.
DUI checkpoint planned
WARREN -- As part of the Trumbull County Operating Vehicle Impaired Task Force, city police will conduct a checkpoint to deter and intercept drinking drivers Friday. The location is not being disclosed until Friday. There were 56 alcohol-related crashes in the city in 2005.
Failure to appear
YOUNGSTOWN -- Judge R. Scott Krichbaum of Mahoning County Common Pleas Court has issued a bench warrant for the arrest of Jerome Carter, 19, of Ohio Avenue, who failed to appear in his court Wednesday for sentencing on a charge of assault on an assistant principal at The Rayen School.
Carter had pleaded guilty May 26 to the fifth-degree felony charge of assault on Robert Amatore, who had pulled him out of a brawl among students March 14. Carter was charged with threatening and lunging at Amatore.
Although Carter failed to appear in court, Judge Krichbaum heard a statement from Schools Superintendent Wendy Webb urging the judge to send a message that such behavior won't be tolerated.
Wanted man arrested
NEW CASTLE, Pa. -- A man wanted in a home invasion here has been arrested in Austintown, Ohio. Pennsylvania State Police said Joseph R. Hernandez, 21, of Highland Avenue has been arrested by Austintown Police.
State police said he initially gave a fictitious name, but they later identified him as Hernandez. He is accused in a May 30 home invasion robbery where a 20-year-old man and his 19-year-old girlfriend were robbed and pistol-whipped. Hernandez is charged with criminal conspiracy to commit robbery, criminal conspiracy to commit aggravated assault, burglary and theft. He is being extradited to New Castle to face those charges.
Closed for holiday
NEW CASTLE, Pa. -- The Pennsylvania Department of Transportation announced that all driver's license and photo centers will be closed Saturday and Monday for the Labor Day holiday weekend. Customers may still obtain a variety of driver and vehicle products and services online at www.dmv.state.pa.us. There are no additional fees for using online services.