Unity parade planned

Unity parade planned

YOUNGSTOWN — Warriors Inc. has its fourth annual “Unity in the Community Parade” today. The parade begins at 10 a.m. on Midlothian Boulevard at Market Street and heads north ending at 2733 Market St., the H.O.P.E. Building parking lot in the Uptown, at noon.

The parade’s objectives are to unify the community and showcase area businesses, civic organizations, government agencies, local youth groups and faith-based groups within the Mahoning Valley.

A variety of floats are expected to take part in the parade, as well as automobiles, walkers and marchers.

Armed robbery probed

BOARDMAN — Township police are investigating a Thursday night armed robbery of two Catherine’s store employees.

Two employees of the Boardman-Poland Road store were leaving the building with the $154 bank deposit after locking up shortly after 9 p.m. when a man driving a dark-colored car, wearing a ski mask and holding a gun pulled up and demanded the money. One woman said she threw the money onto the hood of the car, and the man took it and drove away.

Police found what is believed to be the car early Friday, abandoned on Trailwood Drive. The car had been stolen before the robbery.

Domestic violence case

YOUNGSTOWN — A jury convicted a city man of a third-degree felony, domestic violence against his live-in girlfriend. The jury deliberated one hour at the end of a two-day trial before convicting Donte Mauldin, 25, on Friday of his third domestic violence offense.

Mauldin, who faces one to five years in prison when he is sentenced, was convicted of beating the woman with his fists Feb. 1 in their West Philadelphia Avenue residence. Mauldin repeatedly punched the victim in the face after a domestic quarrel, said Natasha K. Frenchko, assistant county prosecutor.

Mauldin’s prior domestic violence convictions were in 2004 in Mahoning County Common Pleas Court and in 2002 in Youngstown Municipal Court. The trial was before Judge Timothy E. Franken, who revoked Mauldin’s bond and jailed him.

Two injured riding ATV

CHAMPION — Two Champion Township women riding an all-terrain vehicle were injured Friday morning.

The township fire department identified one of them as Frances Russell, 68. She was in Forum Health Trumbull Memorial Hospital on Friday night, but no condition was available. The identity of the other woman at St. Elizabeth Health Center was not available.

A spokesman for the fire department said the ATV overturned at 11:45 a.m. while traveling on railroad tracks between North River Road and the state Route 5/82 bypass. Russell was taken to TMH by the township ambulance and the other woman was flown by helicopter to St. Elizabeth’s.

Liberty cleanup project

LIBERTY — Township officials are looking for volunteers to participate in the Make a Difference Day activities here today and Sunday. High school students are assisting in the cleanup efforts along township roads. Volunteers can stop at the township administration building for supplies and assignments from 1 to 5 p.m. Refreshments will be provided by Giant Eagle. For more information call (330) 759-1315, ext. 130.

Murder, assault charges

YOUNGSTOWN — The man accused in the shooting death of Marcus Easterly and wounding of Derrell Easterly was arraigned Friday in municipal court on charges of aggravated murder and felonious assault.

Bond was set at $1.25 million for Lamar McKinney, 20, of Broadway. McKinney will be back in court May 2 for a preliminary hearing.

Police found Marcus Easterly, 30, bleeding from the chest, on the ground near 510 Griffith St., the Westlake housing project, on the North Side around 7:45 p.m. Wednesday. He was pronounced dead at St. Elizabeth Health Center. Court records show a Lanterman Road address for the victim.

Derrell Easterly, 21, of Hammaker Street, was wounded in the leg. His relationship to the victim wasn’t immediately known. Shots were fired after a fight between young teenagers escalated and drew in adults, police said.