Trial in shooting death

Trial in shooting death
YOUNGSTOWN -- Trial is scheduled to begin at 10 a.m. Monday in Mahoning County Common Pleas Court for Jonah F. Ortiz, charged in the Aug. 8, 2005, shooting death of Michael S. Olenik Jr., 28, of Thalia Avenue. Ortiz, 26, of Shirley Avenue, was indicted in March 2006 on a charge of aggravated murder with a firearm specification. Authorities said Olenik was shot in his car at East Federal and Boardman streets in downtown Youngstown. Olenik's house had been burglarized and he suspected Ortiz had broken in, police said. The case will be heard in the courtroom of Judge John M. Durkin.
Driver injured in crash
CHAMPION -- A one-car accident sent a 56-year-old woman to the hospital Friday afternoon. A woman driving a minivan slid into a utility pole at 2:10 p.m. in the 6700 block of state Route 45, the Champion Fire Department said. The woman had to be extricated from the vehicle before she was taken to St. Joseph Health Center for treatment of non-life-threatening injuries. Her identity was not released.
Belmont Ave. carjacking
YOUNGSTOWN -- A 39-year-old Liberty man told police he was carjacked by two men he thought were just crossing the eastbound service road near Belmont Avenue around 12:20 a.m. Friday. The man said one of the carjackers opened his unlocked driver's door while the second pulled a handgun from his waist and said "get out of the car." The man complied and the robbers drove off toward U.S Route 422, reports show.
Authorities seize guns
LEAVITTSBURG -- A Risher Road man had his guns taken away from him after the Trumbull Correctional Institution reported shots fired near the prison. Lt. Donald Bishop of the Warren Township Police Department said the prison reported shots fired about 11 p.m. Thursday. Prison authorities called the Ohio State Highway Patrol, and a number of police agencies responded. A police dog couldn't lead authorities to anyone. The Risher Road man, however, said he had fired a pistol into a pond. No spent casing were found. Risher runs south of the prison and is a rural area, the lieutenant said. Bishop said two pistols and a rifle were confiscated for safekeeping from the man, who was not charged.
CPR class offered
BOARDMAN -- Mahoning County Chapter of the American Red Cross is offering an adult cardiopulmonary resuscitation course from 6 to 10 p.m. Monday at its office, 8392 Tod Ave. The cost is 32 per person. To register, visit the Web site at www.mahoning.redcross.org or call (330) 726-6063.
Weapons charges
HOWLAND -- A 23-year-old Warren man was charged by Howland police after they said he pulled a gun on a motel manager, police said. Alan M. Harris, of Clearview Avenue Northwest, was arraigned Friday before Warren Municipal Judge Terry Ivanchak on a charge of carrying a concealed weapon, a felony. He was ordered held in the county jail without bond. According to a police report, Harris pulled a .38-caliber handgun on the manager of the Capri Motel, 8033 E. Market St. When police arrived, they were told that the man had walked off with a woman. They were found inside the nearby Pizza Works. A search found that Harris had the handgun on him and his companion, Kristin D. Martin, 20, of state Route 305, Cortland, had a knife in her possession. She was cited into court on a charge of carrying a concealed weapon, a misdemeanor.
Library panel to meet
YOUNGSTOWN -- The Building and Sites Committee of the Board of Trustees of the Public Library of Youngstown & amp; Mahoning County will meet at 3 p.m. Feb. 8 in the meeting room of the Austintown Library, 600 S. Raccoon Road. Trustees will review pending library projects for a new East Side branch at East High Avenue and Early Road, a new South Side branch at Market Street and Midlothian Boulevard, and upgrades at the main library at Wick and Rayen avenues.
Personnel matter
MINERAL RIDGE -- Weathersfield Township trustees will meet at 10 a.m. Feb. 2 on personnel matters. Trustees will be discussing the behavior of uniformed township employees -- part-time firefighters and a police officer -- who have been attending meetings. Some people have complained of feeling uncomfortable and intimidated at meetings.