Police seek runaway

Police seek runaway
NEW CASTLE, Pa. -- Neshannock Township police are asking the public to help find a 16-year-old township girl who was believed to have boarded a bus bound for Pittsburgh early Thursday. Marita Byers is listed as a runaway. Police said her family reported her missing at 8 a.m. Thursday, and a check with New Castle Transit revealed she had boarded a bus headed for Pittsburgh around 5:50 a.m. She was last seen wearing a red shirt and jeans, police said. Marita is 5 feet 2 inches tall and weighs 108 pounds. She has brown eyes and dark-brown hair below shoulder length. Anyone with information on the girl is asked to contact the police department at (724) 654-4211.
Patterson misses cut
BOARDMAN -- Although township Police Chief Jeffrey Patterson made it to the final two for the police chief post in Wyoming, Mich., the city ultimately selected the other candidate. The Grand Rapids Press reported Monday that the other candidate, a major with a Michigan police department, had been selected. Patterson, whose contract with Boardman expires at year's end, also had been a finalist earlier this year for a police chief job in Illinois.
Man charged in robbery
NILES -- A preliminary hearing in municipal court is scheduled for May 17 for Lance Propst, 33, of Forest Street, Warren, on charges of robbery, failure to comply and possession of drug paraphernalia. Propst is accused of entering Niles Book & amp; News, 5970 Youngstown-Warren Road, on Monday morning, jumping over the counter, taking cash and fleeing, dropping the money as he ran. He was caught by police after a car chase. He is being held in lieu of $7,500 bond.
Cash, machine stolen
YOUNGSTOWN -- Cash and a 300-pound dough machine worth $7,500 were taken during a break-in over the weekend at Cornersburg Pizza on Canfield Road, police said Monday.
Meeting to plan events
SALEM -- The Salem Patriotic and Memorial Association will meet at AMVETS Post 45, 750 S. Broadway St., at 7 p.m. Wednesday to finalize plans for its Memorial Day activities. All interested residents may attend the meeting.
Accidental kitchen fire
HOWLAND -- A stove cooking accident is being blamed for a $35,000 blaze at the Rosselle Burch home at 556 Chipola Court. No injuries were reported. Firefighters from Howland and Bazetta townships responded to the Sunday afternoon blaze, which was confined to the kitchen. There was moderate smoke damage throughout.
Culvert replacement
GREEN -- U.S. Route 62, a half-mile north of state Route 165 in Green Township, will be closed through Thursday to allow the Ohio Department of Transportation to replace a culvert.
Woman reports shooting
YOUNGSTOWN -- A 30-year-old West Dennick Avenue woman told police that a man she dated for a few months pointed a gun at her in her driveway, and she drove through her back yard to get away from him around 4 a.m. Monday. She said he followed in his car and fired shots. The man's car was found abandoned on Elm Street, where it had been driven into a fence.