Coroner rules suicide

Coroner rules suicide
SALINEVILLE -- Columbiana County Coroner Dr. William Graham has issued a preliminary ruling that a Franklin Township man killed himself after setting his home on fire. Vernon "Lee" Grossman, 47, of 18639 Seigler Road, was found dead in the remains of his home July 3. Dr. Graham ruled Tuesday that Grossman died of a self-inflicted gunshot wound to the head. The Ohio State Fire Marshal's Office has ruled that the house fire was arson and that the structure was deliberately set on fire in multiple places. Dr. Graham will issue a final ruling after additional test results are completed.
Suspension appealed
SALEM -- City Fire Chief Walt Greenamyer is appealing a three-day suspension to the city's civil service commission. Scott Cranmer, safety director, said Tuesday he had imposed the suspension, but refused to say why, or whether it was related to the Bricker Farms investigation, pending the hearing. Greenamyer did not return a call seeking information. Cranmer has been investigating why the city fire department did not respond to a call at Bricker Farms earlier this year. The property was recently annexed into the city. Perry Township firefighters contended the property was in the city but eventually responded. A pole barn was destroyed. Cranmer has been investigating whether city safety forces were notified that the property was now in their jurisdiction.
$20,000 grant
NEW CASTLE, Pa. -- Lawrence County commissioners agreed to give $20,000 to help at a home improvement blitz later this month. The money, coming from the county Act 137 fund, will go to His Hands Ministries home improvement program planned for July 24-28 for low-income households. Lawrence County Social Services is helping coordinate the program where volunteers are expected to make improvements to about 35 homes. Debbie Hennon of LCSS said this is a yearly event, but a core of workers has formed to make emergency repairs to homes year-round. Hennon said they expect to have about 250 volunteer workers at the blitz.
Endangerment charges
WARREN -- A preliminary hearing is scheduled for 1:30 p.m. Monday before municipal Judge Thomas P. Gysegem for Kwan Frost of Main Street, charged with three counts of child endangering on allegations that he fled police with his three children in the car. He is being held in the county jail in lieu of $35,000 bond. According to police, they attempted to stop Frost on Fifth Street near Tod Avenue on Monday morning because his car had a cracked windshield. He fled, leading police into Austintown, where the car crashed into a tree on Turner Road. Neither Frost nor his three children ages 10 and 7 years and 2 months were seriously injured. He is also charged with failure to comply with a police order.
Drug raid in Wellsville
WELLSVILLE -- Columbiana County Drug Task Force and city police raided a property at 423 Tenth St. around 4:30 p.m. Friday. Authorities said they seized 29 grams of suspected crack cocaine valued at $2,900, some 50 grams of suspected marijuana valued at $500, over $1,600 in cash, two rifles, a handgun, and drug paraphernalia. No arrests were made. The raid followed a three-month investigation.
Fairfield car show
COLUMBIANA -- Fairfield Ruritans will host their fifth annual car show Sunday on Main Street, which will be closed during the show. Proceeds benefit the Ruritan general fund and will go toward scholarships. Registration begins at 9 a.m. outside the National City Bank branch on Main Street. There is a $10 entry fee. Motorcycles, tractors and old cars are welcome. The show will run from noon to 4 p.m. There will be food, a 50/50 auction, and trophies awarded for various categories.