Authorities probe death of 5-month-old girl
Authorities probe death of 5-month-old girl
YOUNGSTOWN — The mother of a 5-month-old girl who died Thursday morning told police she woke up next to the infant and discovered a yellow plastic bag over the girl’s face, reports show.
Police who were sent to 2606 Hunter Ave. on the South Side at 7 a.m. Thursday first spoke to the baby’s grandmother, who had been asleep upstairs when her daughter, 18-year-old Rashanda Weaver, came up holding Raniya Royal and yelling that the baby was not breathing.
The grandmother, Lynette Wesley, 42, started CPR and told her daughter to call 911. Wesley told police that when she turned Raniya over, blood came from her mouth.
The grandmother said she continued CPR until paramedics arrived.
Weaver said she’d been sleeping in the basement with Raniya next to her.
Capt. Kenneth Centorame, chief of detectives, said the death is under investigation and two detectives have been assigned to the case.
Laying of the Roses downtown Sunday
YOUNGSTOWN — The 17th annual Laying of the Roses ceremony, which honors service members killed or listed missing in action during the Vietnam War, will be at 1 p.m. Sunday at the Vietnam Veterans Memorial on The Square downtown.
During the ceremony, a rose is placed at the foot of the memorial by family members or friends for each of the 100 Mahoning County residents killed and the two listed as missing in action.
The main speaker at this year’s event is Dr. Cynthia E. Anderson, vice president of student affairs at Youngstown State University. A native of Fowler, Anderson has been recognized for her service to Vietnam veterans and for working with veterans suffering with post-traumatic stress disorder.
The event is sponsored by the Vietnam Veterans of American Chapter 135, and cosponsored by American Legion Post 472 and the International Association of Workforce Professionals Youngstown Sub Chapter.
Police ID three people shot at apartment
YOUNGSTOWN — The three people shot at a Dupont Street apartment have been identified by police as the resident, William Howell, 47; Maxine Kuzan, 55, of North Meridian Road; and Joshua P. Dixson, 17, of Robinwood Place.
Howell was shot in the neck, Kuzan was shot in the right shoulder and Dixson was shot in the stomach. All were taken to St. Elizabeth Health Center.
The hospital said late Thursday it had no information on their conditions to release.
Capt. Kenneth Centorame, chief of detectives, said Howell’s condition was considered critical.
Details of the shooting are still sketchy, but the investigation continues, he said.
Leaves pickup in Salem
SALEM — City workers on Monday will begin picking up leaves that have been bagged.
The new policy replaces the city’s program of collecting unbagged leaves that had been raked to the curb lawn. No loose leaves will be picked up.
There will be a truck in all four quadrants of the city.
Halloween traffic blitz
YOUNGSTOWN — A Halloween traffic blitz takes place today from 4 to 8 p.m.
Extra officers will be on the road, concentrating on impaired drivers, speed and safety belt violators as well as overall traffic safety of trick-or-treaters.
Halloween hours in the city are 5 to 7 p.m.
No solicitation by YPAL
YOUNGSTOWN — The Youngstown Police Athletic League is not attempting to solicit funds by phone.
A man who received a phone solicitation to contribute to police sports programs checked with YPAL on Thursday and learned that it is not soliciting.