Background checks set

Background checks set

YOUNGSTOWN — After Sept. 1, all applicants seeking appointment as guardians in Mahoning County Probate Court must undergo a criminal background check by the county sheriff’s department.

Judge Mark Belinky said the policy is being initiated to protect people under guardianship. The court has nearly 1,400 people under guardianship. The $15 cost of the background check will be reimbursable in the guardianship, the judge said.

For more information, call (330) 740-2310.

Levy committee to meet

AUSTINTOWN — The township’s school levy campaign committee is having a meeting to discuss the November ballot levy 6:30 p.m. Thursday at Austintown Middle School.

A 4.9-mill levy has been approved by the board of education for the ballot. Superintendent Doug Heuer said if passed, the levy could bring as much as $3 million per year into the school district. He said the money would be used to deal with rising utility costs, as well as to fund repairs and the purchase of new equipment, and about $300,000 per year will be designated for repairs and new equipment.

The five-year levy will cost the owner of a $100,000 home about $150 a year, according to the school district.

Woman gets 6 years in prison for forgery, theft

YOUNGSTOWN — A Boardman woman who forged 363 checks totaling $260,658, which were drawn on the account of her former employer, has been sentenced to six years in prison.

Judge James C. Evans of Mahoning County Common Pleas Court imposed the prison time Thursday on Christine A. Curtis, 45, of Brookwood Road, and ordered her to make full restitution to Allied Erecting and Dismantling Co. after she leaves prison.

Curtis, who worked for the company for 2 1‚Ñ2 years, had pleaded guilty as charged to aggravated theft and forgery and received a three-year prison term for each offense to be served consecutively. The indictment said the crimes occurred between Nov. 4, 2005, and Dec. 3, 2007.

In imposing the six-year sentence, the judge adopted the recommendation of Mark Hockensmith, assistant county prosecutor.

Thefts from vehicles in New Middletown

NEW MIDDLETOWN — Police are investigating several reported thefts from vehicles that occurred between midnight and 6 a.m. Thursday. Sgt. Vincent D’Egidio reports that several cars were entered and various items were taken. Property taken included a GPS unit, cell phones, tools and money.

The suspects gained entry by unlocked garages and unlocked car doors.

D’Egidio advises that residents should always make sure the garages are locked and that vehicle doors are locked even when parked inside a garage. Remove valuables from sight when parked outside and make sure you record serial and model numbers of property. Marking your property will assist police in identifying property that is recovered.

Anyone with any information is asked to call the police department at (330) 542-2846.

Man charged after domestic dispute

SALINEVILLE — A man who allegedly threatened members of his family was shot, treated at East Liverpool City Hospital, and arrested early Thursday.

The Columbiana County Sheriff’s Office said William Show of Oak Grove Road called deputies about 9:12 a.m. Thursday and reported his brother, Kenneth Davis Show of 42650 Oak Ridge, Wellsville, was using a knife to threaten him and his wife.

William Show told deputies he shot Kenneth with a shotgun and possibly struck him in the chest.

Wellsville police found Kenneth in Wellsville. He had a nonlife-threatening chest wound. He was taken by ambulance to the hospital and was released after being treated.

He was then arrested on charges of domestic violence, aggravated menacing and trespassing and taken to the county jail.