Fire hits vacant house

Fire hits vacant house
YOUNGSTOWN -- Damage was estimated at $7,500 in a fire at a vacant house at 741 Brentwood Ave. Firefighters said that the cause is under investigation but that crews on the scene of the blaze, at 10:44 p.m. Thursday, reported an odor of an accelerant both in the house and in the front yard. The fire was confined to the first floor of the two-story structure.
Milton water permits
LAKE MILTON -- Milton Township residents seeking permits to obtain residential water service can do so beginning Monday. The permits can be obtained between 10 a.m. and 3 p.m. Monday, and by appointment on other days at the township fire station.
Also, permits can be obtained from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Mondays through Fridays, except on holidays, at the Mahoning County Sanitary Engineering Department's business office at 761 Industrial Road, Youngstown. For more information, call the engineering department at (330) 793-5514, extension 6405.
Dog bites Girard man
GIRARD -- A city man suffered minor puncture wounds to his hand when he was bitten by a dog. According to police reports, the man was walking down North Saint Clair Street about 4 p.m. Thursday when a loose dog bit his hand. The dog is to be quarantined for 48 hours and the health department will investigate, reports said.
2 men burned at plant
HUBBARD -- Two men have been taken to the hospital after an accident at Ellwood Engineering Casting Co. on Masury Road S.E. in the township. According to police, the men were moving a large oven containing melted material when it tipped over, spilling onto them Friday morning. One man, police said, suffered burns to more than half his body. The other man suffered burns to his arm, police said. No names were available from police. Company officials could not be reached.
Wean donates to YWCA
YOUNGSTOWN -- The Raymond John Wean Foundation awarded $17,500 to the Young Women's Christian Association, 25 W. Rayen Ave. Made possible by the grant are a series of educational workshops that will be open to community child-care providers to give them practical business information so that they can continue to operate at a quality level.
Free training session
EAST FAIRFIELD -- A free training session on communication techniques for parents and professionals who deal with disabled children will be from 6 to 8:30 p.m. June 20 at East Fairfield United Methodist Church, state Route 558. The session, presented by Tina White of the Ohio Coalition for the Education of Children with Disabilities, is geared toward families, teachers, caretakers and professionals who deal with children who have a developmental age of newborn to 9 years. Child care will be available. Participants may call Kelli Harding at (330) 482-4630, or the church at (330) 457-2465, to register or for more information.
Sexual predator labeled
WARREN -- A 40-year-old Warren man was declared a sexual predator Friday by Judge W. Wyatt McKay of Trumbull County Common Pleas Court. Kenneth Oliver must register as a sexual predator with the county sheriff's office. Oliver was released from prison 11 months ago. He had pleaded guilty May 29, 1990, to the rape of a 2-year-old girl.
Charged in boy's rape
YOUNGSTOWN -- A suspect indicted Thursday on five counts of raping a young boy was arrested Friday morning and is being held in Mahoning County Jail. Earl E. Johns Jr., 36, of Thomas Drive, North Jackson, who was indicted by the Mahoning County grand jury, will be arraigned at 9 a.m. Tuesday before Judge Maureen Cronin of Mahoning County Common Pleas Court. Johns was arrested without incident at a Salem-Warren Road address. Johns faces a mandatory life sentence without parole if he's convicted on any of the five counts because the victim is under the age of 10.
Route 534 culvert work
GOSHEN -- Ohio Department of Transportation plans to replace two culverts on state Route 534 beginning in spring 2007. Both culverts at West Garfield Road and state Route 534. Road closure will not exceed 90 days. The project is expected to be completed by fall 2007. The cost is $265,250. Questions and/or comments regarding the project may be submitted by June 22 to ODOT, Office of Communications, 2088 S. Arlington Road, Akron 44306.