PATROL SERGEANT INJURED IN CRASH AT INTERSECTION

Patrol sergeant injuredin crash at intersection
CHAMPION -- An Ohio State Highway Patrol sergeant was injured when his patrol car was struck by another car at state Route 45 and Folsom Street early Friday. Sgt. Randall Skaggs of the Southington Post was treated at St. Joseph Health Center. The other driver, Monica Baka, 42, of Damon Avenue, Warren, was cited with aggravated vehicular assault while operating a vehicle under the influence. The patrol reported that Skaggs was driving the marked car south on Route 45 about 1 a.m. when Baka drove her car through a red light at Folsom, striking the patrol car on the passenger side. Baka was not injured.
Dryer causes fire at spa
HOWLAND -- Damage is estimated at 33,000 as the result of a Friday morning dryer fire at Casal's de Spa & amp; Salon, 8600 E. Market St., in the Hunter Square Plaza. Fire Chief George Brown said firefighters were called out shortly before 4 a.m. The sprinkler system had been automatically activated because of a fire in a commercial dryer containing towels. There were no injuries, but the building sustained smoke and water damage.
Thieves take steel
AUSTINTOWN -- Police are investigating a breaking and entering at Main Steel, 3805-B Hendricks Road. Between 6 p.m. Wednesday and 7:30 a.m. Thursday, 5,000 pounds of steel in the form of 35-by-48-inch sheets were stolen from a hopper on the west side of the business, a police report said. The sheets' value was not noted.
Electric meter stolen
YOUNGSTOWN -- A McBride Street man's power went out while he was watching TV around 9 p.m. Thursday. When he searched for the problem, he discovered his electric meter was missing, police said.
Fund to cover funeral
AUSTINTOWN -- A fund for Josh Kellar, whose mother was found dead during a fire at her apartment Dec. 15, is open at National City Bank. Robin Kellar, 45, was murdered, police determined. Gregg Jenkins, 31, who lives in the next building at the Compass West apartment complex, was charged in the crime. Donations to the fund will be used for funeral expenses and for other expenses associated with the fire, said Danielle Samarco, Josh Kellar's girlfriend. People wishing to donate can do so at any National City branch.
Polar Bear Plunge
LAKE MILTON -- Grandview Tavern's third annual Polar Bear Plunge will be at noon Monday at Lake Milton State Park. Swimmers will plunge into Lake Milton at noon to ring in the new year. The free event includes refreshments and music. If coming from Youngstown, take Interstate 680 north to Interstate 80 west. I-80 will turn into Interstate 76. Take Exit 534 and make a left. Turn right onto Mahoning Avenue, then make a right at the fork in the road onto Milton Ave. The event will take place in the water between the Mahoning Avenue causeway and the I-76 bridge. For additional directions, contact Mary Ann at (330) 654-5628.
Aluminum stairs stolen
YOUNGSTOWN -- Aluminum stairs and railing attached to a construction trailer in the Lexington Avenue-Wirt Street area were stolen sometime before 7 a.m. Friday, police said. The construction company superintendent said it was the second set of aluminum stairs to be stolen within 48 hours. New stairs and railing now will be made of wood, he told police.
Donation from trust
YOUNGSTOWN -- The Frank and Pearl Gelbman Trust has given 10,000 to Second Harvest Food Bank of the Mahoning Valley, 2805 Salt Springs Road, to help with buying and distributing food during the holiday season. Second Harvest provided 5 million pounds of food in 2006 to its 170 affiliated hunger relief organizations in Columbiana, Mahoning and Trumbull counties. For more information about Second Harvest, call (330) 792-5522.
Trafficking sentence
MERCER, Pa. -- Judge Thomas Dobson of Mercer County Common Pleas Court on Friday sentenced Joshua Hunter, 23, of Mercer-West Middlesex Road, West Middlesex, to nine to 23 months in prison followed by four years' probation for unlawful delivery of methadone and possession with intent to unlawfully deliver. Court documents say Hunter delivered four methadone tablets July 11, 2005, to a man at a Hermitage address. Police also found 29 methadone tablets July 13, 2005, at his residence.