Wednesday, August 22, 2007
Storage facility planned
BOARDMAN — A storage facility is planned for the former location of Sam’s Club. The township’s board of zoning appeals granted a variance to allow Joseph Sylvester Construction Co., West Boulevard, to occupy the South Avenue location for self-storage occupancy. The variance was needed because self-storage isn’t permitted in a commercial district. Darren Crivelli, township zoning inspector, said the company plans facade improvements to the west and north sides of the building to “give a little bit of a retail appearance.” Sam’s Club vacated the building, south of U.S. Route 224, about four years ago and constructed a new building on South Avenue, north of Route 224. The Mahoning County auditor’s office Web site shows the property sold July 31 for $2.8 million.
House fire ruled arson
NEW CASTLE, Pa. — A blaze at 1513 Pennsylvania Ave. has been ruled arson. Fire Chief Tom Bulisco said firefighters were called to the vacant house at 11:53 p.m. Monday for a fire that appeared to have been started on the front porch and a second-floor bedroom. He said the house has been boarded up, but they have had problems with squatters breaking in. Firefighters have not determined who owns the house, Bulisco said.
Purse theft sought
SHARON, Pa. — Sharon police are searching for a man who stole a woman’s purse from an East Silver Street business. Police said the man grabbed the purse from an employee break room at a business on the 100 block of East Silver Street. The purse owner struggled with the thief, but he took off running about 5:32 p.m. Monday. A police officer found the purse Tuesday morning but did not give details about what contents were missing. The robber is described as a white man with dark hair, possibly some facial hair, standing about 6 feet tall with a thin build and wearing a gray, hooded sweat shirt.
Housing rehab funds
COLUMBUS — The State Controlling Board has approved $99,000 for housing rehabilitation projects for low- and moderate-income residents of Columbiana County. Forty households in East Palestine will receive $50,000 of the grant. The remaining $49,000 will be distributed to qualified homeowners and first-time buyers throughout the county, according to state Rep. Linda Bolon of East Palestine, D-1st. The grant will provide for housing improvements and repairs as well as homebuyer guidance and education.
Two armed robberies
FARRELL, Pa. — Southwest Mercer County Regional Police are investigating two armed robberies. Police said they were called at 5:11 a.m. Monday to McQuaid’s Convenient Store on Sharon-New Castle Road in Farrell after two men went inside and demanded money from the clerk. One man was holding a knife, police said. The second man demanded a carton of cigarettes valued at $42.50. Both men were wearing hooded sweat shirts. One man had his face covered with a bandana, and the other man’s face was covered with a piece of clothing. Police said they were called to a second robbery at the Circle K Convenient Store on Main Street in West Middlesex at 5:43 p.m. Police said a man in a black, hooded sweat shirt, an orange bandanna and dirty jeans came in with a knife and demanded money. He took an undisclosed amount of cash. Anyone with information about either robbery should call police at (724) 983-2720.
Rogers Health Fair
ROGERS — Rogers Auction and Open Air Market, 45625 state Route 154, will have its 11th annual Public Safety and Health Fair on Friday featuring various health and public safety agencies from the local area. Free blood sugar and blood pressure testing will be available throughout the day. U.S. Search, Rescue and Recovery will offer information on how to prevent adults with various levels of dementia and Alzheimer’s disease and children from getting lost. Local fire and EMS agencies, S.A.R.R. Corps, Community Action Center and Salem YWCA also will have displays.
Sobriety checkpoints
The Trumbull County Operating a Vehicle Impaired Task Force will conduct sobriety checkpoints at undisclosed locations Thursday and Friday to check drivers for signs of alcohol or drug impairment.