Valley news

Fights at high schools

YOUNGSTOWN — Two 16-year-old girls stopped fighting at East High School only when police pumped a few bursts of pepper spray at them Wednesday afternoon. Both girls were given disorderly conduct court citations, suspended for 10 days and told they face expulsion. At Chaney High School on Wednesday, two 15-year-old girls who threw punches at each other in a classroom were given court citations and sent home. The same happened to two boys, 15 and 16, who fought in a restroom, reports show.

Body found in woods

GREENVILLE, Pa. — The monthlong search for a missing man ended Wednesday when the body of 60-year-old Howard S. Urquhart was discovered in a wooded area near Brandy Road. In response to a tip, police had been scouring the grounds near the site of the discovery since Tuesday. Urquhart was reported missing Jan. 15. An autopsy will determine the cause of death. Anyone with information about the case is asked to call the Mercer Station of the Pennsylvania State Police at (724) 662-6162.

Black history musical

YOUNGSTOWN — There will be a Black History Month musical at 4 p.m. Saturday at Elizabeth Missionary Baptist Church, 120 Himrod Ave. It will showcase mime groups from these area churches: Triedstone Baptist, Antioch Baptist, Fellowship Tabernacle Christian Center, New Bethel Baptist and New Birth Kimmel Brook Baptist. Special guest will be the Harambee Dancers.

$100,000 lottery ticket

WARREN — Teresa R. Verbosky of Warren is the latest winner of a $100,000 top prize after scratching the Ohio Lottery’s Ruby Red 7’s instant game ticket. She has filed a claim with the lottery’s Youngstown regional office. After mandatory federal and state withholding taxes totaling 31 percent, Verbosky will receive $69,000. She purchased the ticket at Eastwood Lottery, 5555 Youngstown-Warren Road, Niles. The agent receives a $1,000 bonus.

House uninhabitable

YOUNGSTOWN — The house at 328 W. Evergreen Ave. has been deemed uninhabitable after a kitchen fire got out of hand. The occupant told firefighters that he was heating oil for french fries and it boiled over when he went to talk to a repairman Wednesday morning. The burning oil caught a cushion on fire, and the occupant threw the cushion into the dining room, catching that room on fire, reports show. The fire extended to the roof and eaves via the outside walls. Utility companies were called out to cut gas and electric service. The American Red Cross was called to the scene to provide aid. Demolition of the structure has been requested. The cause was listed as unintentional and damage set at $6,500, a total loss.

Library out of heat

NORTH JACKSON — The North Jackson Branch Library, 10775 Mahoning Ave. Ext., closed Thursday because of a lack of heat. The branch is normally closed Friday and is expected to reopen for its usual hours of 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday.

Masury rape charge

BROOKFIELD –A 24-year-old Masury man has been bound over to the Trumbull County grand jury on a charge of rape. The action was taken in the case of James Edison, of Syne Street, after a preliminary hearing Thursday in Trumbull County Eastern District Court. He is being held in the county jail in lieu of a $250,000 bond. Sean O’Brien, an assistant county prosecutor, said Edison is accused of having sex in a Masury home for six years when the girl was 3 to 9 years old, and he was about 12 to 18 years old. O’Brien said she is now 15 and there hasn’t been any sexual contact for the past six years. The case was brought to the attention of Brookfield police by the girl’s mother.