Woman found dead

Woman found dead
YOUNGSTOWN -- Veronica R. Luthern, 18, of East Main Street, Girard, was found dead around 6:40 a.m. Tuesday, face up in the eastbound lane of Sycamore Street near Andrews Avenue, police said. A purse and flip-flop sandals were found nearby. The cause of death is pending a coroner's investigation, said Detective Sgt. Rick Alli. A motorist who stopped to see if the victim was OK called police. Anyone with information about Luthern's whereabouts before the discovery of her body is asked to call detectives at (330) 742-8911.
2 charged in solicitation
YOUNGSTOWN -- "A very nervous and theatrically shocked" Charles L. Hockenberry of Mercer, Pa., told police who charged him with a sex offense on the South Side that he had the day off work and was merely out for a drive Monday evening, reports show. Hockenberry, 52, of Lamor Road, and Denise Geddie, 21, of Crandall Avenue were arraigned Tuesday in municipal court, each charged with loitering to engage in solicitation. They will be back in court next month. Geddie was also served with an outstanding warrant that had been issued in Austintown. Police said they watched Geddie strolling on Hillman Street and flagging vehicles and then saw her get into a Ford that had been circling. The officers stopped the vehicle, driven by Hockenberry, on West Earle Avenue around 6:45 p.m.
Deputy returns to duty
LISBON -- Columbiana County Sheriff David Smith said a deputy has been returned to duty after his involvement in a shooting. Smith did not release the deputy's name Tuesday, pending completion of an independent probe by state authorities.
The deputy fired at, but missed David Rogenski, 42, Friday. Rogenski was staying at his girlfriend's house on Speidel Road in Rochester. She had obtained a protective order that the deputy was trying to serve to remove Rogenski.
A despondent Rogenski ran into a wooded area and apparently shot himself in the chest, Smith said. Rogenski has been released from the hospital and was in the county jail Tuesday on unrelated charges for failure to pay previous fines.
Rogenski is from Mahoning County, Smith said. His address was not available.
Poland break-in probed
POLAND -- Township police are investigating a break-in at a Kennedy Road home where someone took about $1,950 in tools and other items. The resident told police that the items including a power tool set, pressure washer, air compressor and battery charger were taken from his unattached garage between June 18 and Saturday.
Civic group to meet
GUILFORD LAKE -- Guilford Lake Civic Association will meet at 7 p.m. Thursday at the Ruritan Hall, state Route 72. The speaker will be Scott Angelo, Columbiana County wildlife officer. Information on the rules, regulations and prizes for the July Fourth parade of boats will be given by Cecil Conkle, commodore of Guilford Lake Boat Club. For more information, call Bob Gause, (330) 222-1975; Peg Leone, (330) 222-1300; or Donna Conkle, (330) 222-2065.
Case goes to grand jury
LISBON -- James Rhodes, 34, has been bound over to the Columbiana County grand jury on a charge of failure to comply with the order of a police officer. Municipal Court Judge Carol Ann Robb made the ruling Monday. Rhodes' bond was continued at $500,000 and he remains in county jail.
Authorities say the charge stems from Rhodes' fleeing an East Palestine officer June 8.
Pennsylvania officials want Rhodes and Bernard Gorvet, 50, of Youngstown, on charges of criminal intent to commit homicide, robbery, aggravated assault, terroristic threats and recklessly endangering another person.
Authorities say the two men forced two women off the road, took their purses and shot at them.
Rhodes also faces a charge of assault with a deadly weapon in Florida on an accusation that he tried to run over a woman with a car.