Doctor pleads innocent

Doctor pleads innocent
YOUNGSTOWN -- Dr. Larry Lee Smith, 66, of Chestnut Ridge Road in Hubbard, pleaded innocent Friday to 39 counts of trafficking in drugs, failure to keep records of controlled substances and labeling. Smith was indicted Thursday by a Mahoning County Common Pleas Court grand jury. Smith posted cash or surety bond of $2,000. A pretrial hearing was scheduled for Wednesday before Judge John M. Durkin. Assistant Prosecutor Robert Duffrin said Smith is accused of giving the diet drug Phentermine, a highly addictive, controlled substance, to people who were not obese. Smith also was charged with improperly recording prescriptions and violating laws regarding the packaging of Prozac. Smith, an osteopathic doctor, has an office in Canfield.
Guilty in murder try
LISBON -- A 62-year-old man has pleaded guilty to charges of kidnapping and attempted murder in the severe beating of his live-in girlfriend. Gary L. Call Sr., of Iris Drive, Toronto, Ohio, entered the pleas Friday before Judge C. Ashley Pike of Columbiana County Common Pleas Court. Call was to go on trial Tuesday in the assault that occurred May 11, 2004. Prosecutors said they will recommend a total sentence of 10 years in prison. Call was charged with taking Susan Kelly to Highlandtown Lake, where he strangled her, beat her repeatedly with a club and threw her body and the club over a hill. Authorities planned to present a note at the trial that Kelly wrote in a hospital after the attack. The note reads, "He left me for dead."
Demolition sought
YOUNGSTOWN -- Demolition has been requested for a vacant commercial building at 620 Steel St. that was damaged by fire around 3 a.m. Friday, the fire department said. A street department worker reported the fire. Firefighters found trash burning inside a rear room and fire spreading through the floor into the basement.
Drug raid nets 3 arrests
YOUNGSTOWN -- A raid at 529 Broadway Ave. by members of the vice squad resulted in drug charges against one man and two women. The resident, Kevin M. Moore, 40, is charged with possession of heroin. His bond is $10,000, and a preliminary hearing is set for Jan. 20 in municipal court. Another resident, Tamara Walls, 31, is charged with drug-abuse marijuana, as is Rhonda Williams, 31, of Illinois Avenue. No bond was set because they were issued citations. They will be back in court Feb. 6. Walls was not handcuffed when police entered Thursday afternoon because she was with two small children, reports show.
Museum open Monday
YOUNGSTOWN -- The Children's Museum of the Valley will be open 10 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday for Martin Luther King Day. Activities will include a story time and arts and crafts in the art center. Admission is $5 for adults, $4 for senior citizens and $3 for children 3 to 18. The museum's regular hours are 10 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday and 1 to 4:30 p.m. Sunday.
Family Day at Butler
YOUNGSTOWN -- The Butler Institute of American Art on Wick Avenue will have a free Family Day at 1 p.m. Sunday. Artist Jean-Noel Vandaele will be on hand to speak about his current exhibition of paintings and drawings, "Children in the Work of Winslow Homer," on view in the Butler's Sweeney Gallery. The artist will interact with the children for a hands-on activity.
New Cub Scout pack
NILES -- First Christian Church of Niles, 33 Arlington Ave., has established Cub Scout Pack 143. The pack will meet at 6:30 p.m. Monday in the church's all-purpose room. The meeting is open to boys and parent volunteers who want to join or transfer membership. For information, call (330) 652-1675.
Surrenders to police
YOUNGSTOWN -- Raymond Patterson, 27, of East Montrose Avenue, turned himself in at the Youngstown Police Department, 116 W. Boardman St., after seeing his picture in Tuesday's Vindicator. Patterson was the FBI's and Mahoning Valley Violent Crime Task Force's featured Fugitive of the Week. Police said Patterson turned himself in around 6:15 p.m. Wednesday to officers at the station. He was wanted on a charge of burglary.
Solid-waste plan grant
HARRISBURG -- State Sen. Robert D. Robbins, R-50th, announced approval of a state grant by the Department of Environmental Protection to help plan for solid waste management in Mercer County. Mercer County Solid Waste Authority will receive $13,261 as reimbursement for 80 percent of the cost of revising the county's solid waste management plan.