Cause undetermined

Cause undetermined

BELOIT — The Ohio State Fire Marshal’s Office has concluded its investigation of a propane explosion at a modular home without determining the source of the explosion, said Shane Cartmill, OSFM spokesman in Columbus. “The case is still open, but the cause is undetermined,” Cartmill said Friday, adding that insurance investigators continue the probe The explosion at 4:30 a.m. Oct. 16 at 18515 W. Pine Lake Road injured the occupants — Willard Woods and wife Megan, both 44, son Jake, 18, and daughter Jenessa, 16. After the explosion and fire, the basement was all that was left of the home.

Fire damages home

FARRELL, Pa. — A gas heater was the cause of a fire at 929 Fruit Ave. Farrell firefighters said a passer-by noticed smoke coming out the third floor at 11:35 a.m. Thursday. The resident, Marcia Gregory and a 1-year-old child were inside but got out safely. Fire officials said the gas heater was on the third floor next to a futon when the mattress caught fire. There was fire and smoke damage to the third floor and water damage through the rest of the house. The American Red Cross provided assistance to Gregory and her four children.

Suspect sought

FARRELL, Pa. — Southwest Mercer County Regional Police are searching for Anthony Scott Jr., 19, who is known as “Dupus.” Police describe Scott as 5 feet 10 inches tall, 160 pounds with black hair and brown eyes. Police said he is wanted on multiple charges including intimidation of witnesses, terroristic threats and discharging a firearm in an occupied structure. All charges stem from events that occurred a a Negley Street home. The most recent event involved shots fired into the home, police said. If you have information about Scott’s whereabouts, call police at (724) 983-2720.

Hearing in drug charge

NILES — A preliminary hearing is scheduled for Wednesday in municipal court for a 27-year-old Warren man who was arrested for having a quarter-pound of suspected cocaine in his possession, police said. Daniel Honzu, of DeForest Road, appeared Thursday in court on charges of possession of criminal tools and drug abuse. Police stopped his sport-utility vehicle on Youngstown Road near the Eastwood Mall on Wednesday on a traffic infraction. A K-9 unit found the drugs. Also found was a device that can detect if a police officer or informant is wearing a “wire” to record conversations. Honzu is free on a $20,000 bond.

Forgery arraignment

YOUNGSTOWN — A Boardman woman who worked for two years at Allied Erecting on Poland Avenue was arraigned Friday in municipal court on a forgery charge. Christine Curtis, 45, of Brookwood Road, is accused of writing four checks to herself worth $3,419 and cashing them, police said. The checks were posted within the past week. The company owner told police that the comptroller brought the check discrepancy to his attention. Curtis is free on bond and will be back in court Thursday for a preliminary hearing.

Charged in break-in

WARREN — A 29-year-old Warren man is charged with breaking into a house to steal copper after police found footprints at the scene that matched his shoe prints. Governor Bowers III, of Clifton Drive Southeast, appeared in municipal court Friday. He pleaded innocent to breaking and entering, bond was set at $1,500 and a preliminary hearing scheduled for next Friday. Police arrived at the Mahoning Avenue residence and noticed the footprints around the house. A man believed to be the burglar was spotted at Idylwild Street and Arlington Avenue. They reported that the footprints at the house matched the shoes Bowers was wearing.

Pajama drive under way

WARREN — The Trumbull County Bar Association’s Pajama Drive will continue through Dec. 20. New pajamas, mostly for children age 3 to 5, and books will be given by the association to Head Start at the Trumbull County Community Action Program and Someplace Safe, a haven for women and children suffering from domestic violence. The pajamas and books can be dropped off at the bar association, 120 High St. For more information, call (330) 675-2415.