ROBBERY REPORTED BY STORE EMPLOYEE

Robbery reportedby store employee
BOARDMAN -- An employee at a Hillman Street discount store told police that gunmen took store merchandise and his personal belongings. The employee of Deals told police that four men came into the store about 6:20 p.m. Monday, looked around and left shortly thereafter. They returned a short time later, with three of the men coming into the store and the fourth remaining in the car. One of the men pulled out a gun and pointed it at the employee and the other two got trash bags from a store back room and loaded merchandise into them. The employee said the men took his necklace and an X-Box that also belonged to him. The men then left in a green car headed north on Hillman.
Truck driver cited
NEW CASTLE, Pa. -- The driver of a tree service truck that crushed the fountain on Kennedy Square faces six traffic citations. Bradley Robinson, 25, of Twilight Trailer Court, Edinburg, was cited because he had an expired vehicle inspection sticker and expired registration, no working horn, failed brakes, failed to display his U.S. Department of Transportation number and had no certificate stating that he had a medical examination as required of all who hold a commercial driver's license. Police are investigating the crash. City officials have already started the process to replace the fountain.
Threat investigated
YOUNGSTOWN -- A man upset that Veterans Affairs hasn't paid for lights he placed on his wheelchair made threats when he visited U.S. Rep. Tim Ryan's Federal Plaza office on Monday, police said. The 53-year-old West Wood Street man said that if he didn't have his money by Friday the congressman's staffers would have a funeral to go to. He also threatened to bring a gun to the VA office. Congressional staffers explained that he would be repaid but it would take time. The event is being investigated by the FBI.
Food bank reminder
YOUNGSTOWN -- Second Harvest Food Bank, 2805 Salt Springs Road, reminds the public that it does not sponsor individuals to solicit funds on its behalf at area retail stores and shopping centers. The food bank is financially supported by individuals, corporations, foundations, the United Way and member agency fees. The food bank asks the public to call it at (330) 792-5522 if they are approached by anyone soliciting funds at stores on its behalf or for America's Second Harvest Food Bank.
Suspect in robberiesturns himself in
AUSTINTOWN -- A man wanted in two robberies turned himself in to police. Gary P. Brainard, 37, of Redgate Lane, is charged with two counts of aggravated robbery in the attempted robbery of a taxi driver on Lynnhaven Drive on May 10, and in the robbery of a man outside his apartment on Woodhurst Drive on May 16. He is in the Mahoning County jail.
Traffic delays expected
FAIRFIELD -- Traffic delays are expected Thursday and Friday on state Route 164 between Leetonia and Columbiana as crews repair the bridge deck over the east branch of the middle fork of Little Beaver Creek in Fairfield Township. One lane of traffic is being maintained with temporary traffic signals.
Voting system lawsuit
MERCER, Pa. -- Mercer County commissioners have filed suit in county common pleas court against Unilect of Dublin, Calif., the company that sold it a touch-screen voting system that malfunctioned. The county paid $897,000 for the system, which was used in elections from 2001 to 2004. Problems that resulted in many lost votes in the November 2004 election caused Pennsylvania to ban its use. Because of that, the county had to pay $207,474 to lease equipment for the 2005 elections. The county has since purchased a new touch voting system. In the suit, the county is asking for $925,074, the sum of the cost of the machines and the cost of leasing replacements for two elections, as well as interests and costs.