Apartment fire

Apartment fire

YOUNGSTOWN — A fire early Wednesday afternoon forced the evacuation of the occupants of 12-unit apartment complex at 2660 Tyrell St. into the freezing cold. One woman, Crystal Williams, 24, suffered a sprained knee when she tripped coming down steps, said Youngstown Fire Capt. Rich Russo. There was heavy fire and water damage to Apartment 6 and water damage to the apartment below it. The roof was damaged when firemen ripped it to vent the smoke, and there was smoke damage throughout the structure. The occupants were not allowed to remain in their apartments, and after gathering a few items, were trying to find other places to stay. Russo said the low temperature, which, with the wind chill factor was 4 degrees below zero, caused two fire hydrants to freeze. He said extra pumper units were called to the scene to supply water until the hydrants began to work. Russo said late Wednesday that fire investigators had not yet determined the cause of the blaze, which was reported at 12:20 p.m.

Poland turf gets donation

POLAND — Community philanthropists Anthony Lariccia and his wife, Mary, have donated $100,000 toward the installation of artificial turf at Poland Seminary High School Field. The donation was made Wednesday at the high school during a meeting of the Bulldog Turf Club, which is raising funds for the $600,000 project. Bob Richards Jr., chairman, said the new field, which will be renamed after former Poland football coach Dave Pavlansky, will be ready for the start of the 2008 football season. Donations to the Bulldog Turf Club are tax-deductible and can be mailed to P.O. Box 14354, Poland, OH 44514.

Payment for bridge work

McDONALD — Village council at its Wednesday night meeting voted to reimburse Dot Construction Inc. of Berlin Center $46,600 for work on an improvement project to the McDonald Industrial Park Property Owners Association bridge. The work wrapped up in September 2007, slightly ahead of schedule, Mayor Glenn W. Holmes noted. The funds will come from leftover money CSX Railroad gave the village, Holmes said.

Sentenced in theft

MERCER, Pa. — Jesse Greathouse, 25, of Bendemeer Drive, Poland, was sentenced this week to three to 18 months in the Mercer County Jail for criminal conspiracy to commit theft by unlawful taking, a felony. A judge also ordered him to make restitution. Court documents state that Greathouse and three other men agreed to enter Northstar Power Sports, 1482 N. Hermitage Road, Hermitage, when it was closed Oct. 9, 2006, and steal two all-terrain vehicles valued at a total $8,889.

House targeted in arson

SHARON, Pa. — Sharon firefighters were called to 234 First Ave., for a second arson. The most recent fire was reported at 1:15 a.m. Wednesday. The house had suffered major damage last September during another fire that has also been declared an arson. On Wednesday, heavy winds took some of the flames to the neighboring house at 224 First Ave., where the exterior wall and eave was damaged. One firefighter did suffer a minor injury when he fell into a hole on the porch roof. The home is owned by Lawrence Menz and was set for demolition after the first fire investigation. Firefighters could not say when it will now be demolished.

Montessori open house

YOUNGSTOWN — The Montessori School of the Mahoning Valley, 2008 Lynn Ave., will have an open house from 1 to 3 p.m. Sunday for parents of children ages 2 through 12. Faculty will be available to answer questions about the school and Montessori education in general. Tours of the preschool, kindergarten, elementary and middle school programs will be provided. Classroom observations can be scheduled at that time. The school has programs for children ages 3 through 14, and applications are now being accepted for spring and fall enrollment. Call (330) 788-4622 for information.

Weapon and drug charges

SHARON, Pa. — Police here charged Demar Claiborne, 24, of Farrell, with carrying a firearm without a license, possession of a controlled substance and possession of drug paraphernalia. Sharon police arrested Claiborne after stopping his vehicle on New Castle Avenue at 2:33 a.m. Wednesday. Police said the car fit the description of a car wanted by Southwest Mercer Regional Police for shots fired in Farrell. Sharon police said they found a 9 mm semiautomatic pistol and a small bag of cocaine in the car. Police Chief Mike Menster said no one was injured in the Farrell shooting and no charges are expected from the Southwest Mercer department. Claiborne is in Mercer County Jail after failing to post $10,000 bond.

Juveniles beat man

SHARON, Pa. — A Farrell man was beaten by a group of juveniles who refused to get off his car. Police said the 28-year-old man reported the assault Tuesday, but told them he was injured at 7:30 p.m. Monday on the 200 block of Mesabi Street. Police said the man was visiting a friend and when he returned to his car a group of juveniles was sitting on his car. When he asked them to get off, the group started beating the man with a plastic snow shovel and then punched and kicked him. Police Chief Mike Menster said they believe the juveniles ranged in age from 15 to 17 years. None have been identified, he said.

Team manager accused

YOUNGSTOWN — A franchise holder of the Youngstown Babe Ruth League filed a police report Tuesday on behalf of the treasurer that alleges one of the team’s managers collected $1,625 from parents and kept the money. The collection took place between January and February last year for a team of 14- and 15-year-olds. The treasurer spoke several times to the team manager about the missing money, and an agreement was reached that he would repay the league $50 each month until the $1,625 was repaid. The manager made one $50 payment and no payments the past five months, reports show. Further attempts to speak to the manager were unsuccessful, and the league now wants to pursue a criminal charge.