Man hospitalized after knife-and-sword fight

December 11, 2008 at 12:00a.m.

YOUNGSTOWN — Two men who had been in a knife-and-sword fight inside a Bessemer Street house were taken to St. Elizabeth Health Center. Police said Christopher Poe, 26, of South Bailey Road, North Jackson, had a collapsed lung, internal bleeding and possible damage to his liver after the fight at 11:45 p.m. Tuesday. His condition was not immediately available.

Eric Huffman, 35, the resident of the Bessemer house, was treated for cuts to his hands and face. Police said because of Poe’s condition, the only version of the fight came from Huffman, who told officers he used a knife to defend himself when Poe grabbed the sword during an argument.

Both weapons were taken by police. The knife has a 5-inch blade and the sword has a 26-inch blade, reports show.

Search yields no drugs

POLAND — Township police, using a police dog, conducted a drug search inside and in the parking lots of Poland Seminary High School and detected no drugs. Chief Brian Goodin said the search was done Wednesday afternoon.

“This is the second time in a row that a search [at the school] has come up negative,” the chief said.

The search wasn’t initiated because of a suspected problem. It was routine, the chief said.

Family swim sessions

WARREN — Family swim sessions will be from 6 to 9 p.m. Friday and Dec. 19 at the new Warren G. Harding High School swimming pool on Elm Road.

The sessions are open to the public, and adult supervision is required for children. A lifeguard will be on duty, and locker room facilities will be available. Those planning to attend should enter at the east end of the building at the athletic entrance.

Cost is $2 for adults, $1 for students and $5 for families. For more information, call the athletic office at (330) 841-2316.

2 ex-clients get $800

COLUMBUS — The Ohio Supreme Court’s Board of Commissioners of the Clients’ Security Fund has awarded $800 to two former clients of deceased Trumbull County attorney Charles I. Swartz.

The board found that Swartz received funds for legal services that he failed to provide before his death May 28, 2007.

The CSF was created in 1985 by the Supreme Court to reimburse victims of attorney theft, embezzlement or misappropriation. The CSF is funded by registration fees paid by every Ohio attorney.

Law clients who believe they have sustained financial losses resulting from attorney theft, embezzlement or misappropriation should contact the CSF by calling toll-free in Ohio at (800) 231-1680.

Library to close Dec. 30

YOUNGSTOWN — The Public Library of Youngstown and Mahoning County will permanently close the current South Branch Library, located at 1771 Market St., at 6 p.m. Dec. 30 to prepare for the move to the newly constructed Newport Branch, located at Market Street and Midlothian Boulevard.

The opening date of the new Newport Branch has not yet been determined but is expected in early February, says a library press release.

Patrons who checked out library materials at the current South Branch before the closing can either return those materials at any library branch or wait until the new location is open.

There will be no fines accrued on materials checked out at the current South Branch and due during the period the current library is closed and before the new library opens.