Courthouse closing

Courthouse closing

YOUNGSTOWN — The Mahoning County commissioners’ office and the county courthouse will close at noon Monday in observance of Christmas Eve. Judge R. Scott Krichbaum, presiding judge of Mahoning County Common Pleas Court, signed a judgment entry Friday ordering the courthouse’s midday Monday closing, saying all legal pleadings and filings due Monday would be considered timely if they are filed Wednesday.

Warren man scares off
potential robbers

WARREN — A 27-year-old Parkman Road man thwarted a would-be robbery after confronting two men outside his home with his gun Friday morning. The victim told police he heard his front door rattling about 12:45 a.m. He looked out and saw a man on the porch with a gun and another man in the front yard. He was calling 911 when he noticed the man on the front porch again trying to open the front door. The homeowner grabbed his handgun, opened the door and aimed it at the would-be robbers. The men fled, leaped into an older Chevrolet Caprice and went south on Parkman.

Man robs hotel of $86

BOARDMAN — A man said he was sorry and wished a Red Roof Inn clerk “Merry Christmas” as he was robbing the hotel of $86, police report. The robbery took place at 5:49 a.m. Thursday after the man entered the hotel through the front door and asked the clerk for change for a dollar. As she was opening her drawer, he lunged over the counter and grabbed the money. The clerk told police the man did not have a weapon and did not push or threaten her.

Jail guards promoted

MERCER, Pa. — Three Mercer County Jail guards have been promoted to sergeant. The promotions, announced by Warden Jeffrey Gill, were approved by the Mercer County Prison Board. Those promoted are Carol Camp, a 14-year veteran at the jail; Dan Miner, a six-year veteran; and Neil Perample, a two-year veteran.

Team recycling drive

GIRARD — A recycling drive for used printer, fax and copier ink cartridges is being sponsored by the Girard High School Robotics Team to defray team expenses. Cartridges can be dropped off at any city school building. For information, contract Judy Barber, (330) 545-5431, ext. 107.

Arson on Wick Avenue

YOUNGSTOWN — A fire was intentionally set near the exterior of a glass door at 1021 Wick Ave., the former Youngstown Buick building, around 2:45 a.m. Friday, the fire department said. The fire spread to a small stage area of the building now used by the Youngstown Knight Riders, reports show. Firefighters noticed the strong odor of an accelerant, and a carpet sample was taken as evidence. Damage was set at less than $1,000.

Woman wins drawing,
grocery shopping spree

HERMITAGE, Pa. — Cindy McClimans of Greenville ended up with $1,300 worth of groceries for a good cause. She was the winner of the “Pack Your Pantry” fundraiser offered by the Primary Health Network Charitable Foundation of Sharon. The group sold nearly $2,000 worth of tickets giving people the chance for a three-minute shopping spree at the Hermitage Shop ’n’ Save store Friday morning, said Mary Lynn Reid, associate director of the foundation. Reid said the money raised will aid the group’s free transportation service it provides for people with medical appointments and scholarships for people entering the medical professions. Reid said Shop ’n’ Save donated a $50 gasoline card to the winner. There were also $50 and $25 food gift certificates given to second- and third-place ticket winners.

Seeking blood donors

The Red Cross this holiday season reminds people that the most precious gift does not need to be gift-wrapped. Give the gift of life by donating blood. To donate blood, you must be at least 17 years old, weigh at least 110 pounds, be in general good health and present a valid photo ID upon donation. For more information or to find a blood drive near you, call (800) GIVE-LIFE (448-3543) or visit us online at www.RedCrossDonor.org. To schedule an appointment to donate platelets, call (800) 356-3339.