Jailed in robbery

Jailed in robbery
WARREN -- A man who is accused of trying to kiss his homeless victim after robbing her is in the Trumbull County Jail in lieu of a 50,000 bond. Larry Allen, 57, of Ferndale Avenue, pleaded innocent Monday before Judge Terry Ivanchak to a robbery charge. The 33-year-old victim told police that Allen approached her Saturday night in the 200 block of First Street and asked for money. When she said she didn't have any, Allen allegedly grabbed her purse, tried to kiss her and ran into a vacant house. Police retrieved the purse from inside the house and arrested Allen nearby.
Electric meter taken
YOUNGSTOWN -- An electric meter was discovered missing when police responded to a burglar alarm at 1:30 a.m. Monday at NYC Sounds & amp; Clothing, 2080 McCartney Road. Entry to the business was gained by forcing open an overhead door, police said.
Shooting victim ID'd
YOUNGSTOWN -- The man found shot to death around 12:20 a.m. Saturday on Falls Avenue has been identified by police as Carl Davis, 36. No address was given, but court records show a Forestview Drive address. A man who lives in the 300 block of Falls told police that he heard a single shot, followed by two more shots. Davis was found face down on the sidewalk with a gunshot wound to the head.
Arraigned in thefts
YOUNGSTOWN -- Denise I. Manning of Farrell, Pa., stole phone cards and soft drinks worth 4,520 from Family Dollar on Glenwood Avenue between May 1 and Sept. 6, police said. The 44-year-old Hamilton Avenue woman was arraigned Monday in municipal court on a felony theft charge. Her bond was set at 5,000. Manning was arrested Sunday afternoon by Boardman police on the Youngstown warrant.
Meeting canceled
YOUNGSTOWN -- The Dec. 27 meeting of the Mahoning Valley Veterans Service Commission is canceled.
Sobriety checkpoint set
A sobriety checkpoint will be from 7 to 11 p.m. Friday in Mahoning County at an undisclosed location. Members of the Mahoning County Operating a Vehicle Impaired Task Force will enforce impaired driving and safety belt laws. The task force is urging motorists to plan in order to get home safely from celebrations that include alcohol. The OVI task force will have increased enforcement in the coming weeks.
Successful celebration
NEWTON FALLS -- City council thanked volunteers Monday who made the first Home 44444 the Holidays program a success. The celebration was Dec. 9, and organizers hope to make it an annual event. The proclamation passed by council Monday urged all citizens to support the program. A similar program, Hometown Christmas, was held last year. The "44444" is the city's ZIP code. The celebration included a parade that started at Arlington Elementary and ended at the high school, where the event took place. It also included a craft and bake show, Chinese auction, arts and crafts, and pictures with Santa.
Smokers wanted
PITTSBURGH (AP) -- The University of Pittsburgh is seeking smokers who want to quit for an eight-week smoking cessation study. Participants must smoke at least 10 cigarettes per day and be literate, English-speaking adults. They must not be taking any medications to help them quit smoking and must abstain from smoking for the duration of the study. Smokers recruited will have to attend classes once a week for eight weeks at UPMC Montefiore in Oakland, complete written questionnaires and undergo a neuroimaging session. Participants who complete the study will be paid as much as 190. The study is being conducted by the university's Division of General Internal Medicine and will investigate the effects of two behavioral therapies intended to reduce cigarette cravings.