Wrongful death lawsuit

Wrongful death lawsuit

NEW CASTLE, Pa. — A lawsuit filed by the family of a 16-year-old girl who overdosed on prescription drugs at New Castle High School has been amended. The lawsuit filed by Veronica Million-Passerrello on behalf of her daughter, Erica Jo Million, names her classmate Josh Stewart, a minor, and his parent and natural guardian Charmaine Alton. The original lawsuit filed last month had the incorrect name of Stewart’s parent or guardian. Million-Passerrello is seeking in excess of $50,000 in the wrongful death suit. Erica Jo died in February after ingesting a large quantity of oxycodone while in school. Her classmate has been charged in juvenile court and police are still trying to determine if he will be criminally charged as an adult in her death. Authorities contend he supplied the oxycodone to Erica Jo.

Counting Valley birds

Two bird counts are planned in the Mahoning Valley this weekend.

Saturday marks the area’s 103rd National Audubon Society Christmas Bird Census. Volunteers are needed to count in a 15-mile radius centered at Shields Road and Lockwood Boulevard. Bird feeder counts in this circle are also desired.

For more information and to get an assigned area in which to count, contact coordinator Gary Meiter at (330) 337-9236 or gmeiter@earthlink.net, or call Audubon Society/Mahoning Valley at (888) 846-8851.

Trumbull County’s “Christmas” bird count, which has been held since 1976, will be Sunday.

Anyone living in Champion, Bazetta, Southington, Bloomfield, Cortland, West Farmington and Bristolville can contribute to the data collected that day by calling the coordinator of the count at (330) 856-6160.

The information is sent to the audubon society and will be available on its Web site by early next year. The Web site has information on bird counts conducted in the United States since 1900, including those done in Trumbull County.

Information needed is the number and type of birds using bird feeders on that day.

Teenager reports assault

WARREN — A 17-year-old Harding High School student was assaulted by two other boys Wednesday afternoon as he was walking home from school, the boy told police.

The victim, of Bonnie Brae Northeast, said that the attack occurred on Laird Avenue Northeast about 3 p.m. and that he knew one of the two attackers.

The boy went to Trumbull Memorial Hospital for treatment of injuries to his shoulder and knee.

Girl attacked by dogs

WARREN — A teenager was bitten on one leg and both arms Wednesday afternoon when a girl she knows ordered her two pit bull dogs to attack her, the girl told police.

The victim, 14, of the 2000 block of East Market Street, said she was walking in front of a house on Oak Street Southwest about 2:30 p.m. when another 14-year-old girl told the dogs to attack.

The girl with the dogs attempted to call the dogs back, the victim said, but the dogs did not respond.

The victim’s mother said the girl would be taken to the hospital for treatment.

Searching for bank robber

NEW CASTLE, Pa. — Police and the FBI are searching for a man who robbed Greenville Savings Bank on Wilmington Road. Neshannock Township Police said the man walked in at 4:23 p.m. Wednesday and handed a teller a note demanding cash. The teller gave the man money and he left in an unknown direction. Police describe the robber as a white man, early to mid-20s, approximately 5 feet 8 inches tall, with a thin build and heavy acne on his face. Anyone with information is asked to call police at (724) 656-9300.

Gas station robbery

YOUNGSTOWN — An undetermined amount of cash was taken from the register at the Speedway gas station, 1 N. Meridian Road, by a man who was paying for a lighter at 10:20 p.m. Wednesday, police said. Once the female clerk opened the register to make change, the man reached over the counter and grabbed the money. Police who viewed the surveillance video described the suspect as white, 25 to 33 years old, 6 feet to 6 feet 2 inches tall, 175 to 200 pounds with a full brown beard, brown and beige winter hat, green hooded sweat shirt and beige pants. The clerk told police the man said nothing and made no threat.

Breakfast with Santa

YOUNGSTOWN — Meridian Services is having its 11th annual Breakfast with Santa from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday at the downtown Youngstown YMCA, 17 N. Champion St. The event is for children 10 years of age and under whose families have been impacted by addiction and its related life challenges. Sponsored through Meridian’s PANDA2 program, the goal for the day is to provide gifts to children who might not receive anything during the holiday season. An estimated 300 children will receive breakfast, a picture with Santa and a new toy to take home.

Pupils donate to mission

STRUTHERS — Struthers Elementary pupils will help the Rescue Mission of the Mahoning Valley make Christmas brighter for those in need by donating food, hats, scarves, toys and games to the mission, said Pete Pirone, building principal. The 700 pupils in the school, in grades kindergarten through fourth, were encouraged to help the rescue mission instead of purchasing Christmas gifts for their teachers.

Pirone said the pupils were challenged to bring in 1,000 items, and that has been surpassed. The items will be picked up at 1 p.m. today, by Santa Claus, who will arrive on a city firetruck.