Teenagers burned in explosion of gas well

Teenagers burned in explosion of gas well

VERNON — Two teenagers were flown by medical helicopter to Akron Children Hospital’s burn unit after a gas-well explosion around 8:15 p.m. Wednesday.

The teens were sitting on or near a gas well at 8129 Milligan East Road in Trumbull County and believed to be smoking cigarettes, said a 911 supervisor.

Their actions resulted in the explosion and product leakage. The quantity of spilled product was unknown, the supervisor said.

No other structures in the area were damaged, and no other injuries were reported.

Courts receive funds

YOUNGSTOWN — U.S. Rep. Tim Ryan of Niles, D-17th, said two federal courts in Youngstown have received $1.73 million in federal funds for improvements.

Youngstown’s Thomas D. Lambros Federal Office Building received $1,182,000, while the Nathaniel R. Jones Federal Building received $601,000 in funding.

The funds are part of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act passed by Congress earlier this year and will be used to expand on high-performance green-building, limited-scope projects.

“These grants will immediately help put people to work while at the same time making our court buildings more energy efficient,” said Ryan. “By upgrading our critical infrastructure, we are quickly putting money back into the economy while preparing our country for the future.”

Pleas entered in shooting death

YOUNGSTOWN — Written pleas of innocent and innocent by reason of insanity have been entered for a suspect in a fatal shooting on the city’s East Side.

Atty. Louis M. DeFabio entered those pleas Tuesday on behalf of Daniel Ortello, 20, of South Bruce Street, who is charged with the March 8 murder of Seetreon A. Dothard, 29, of West Judson Avenue, and with committing attempted murder and felonious assault against K’Shawn Weaver on the same day.

Police found Dothard lying face down on the street in the 200 block of Lansdowne Boulevard, dead of an apparent gunshot wound to the head. Ortello was arrested March 13 in the psychiatric unit at Forum Health Northside Medical Center and placed in Mahoning County Jail. The case is assigned to Judge R. Scott Krichbaum of Mahoning County Common Pleas Court.

Police find marijuana

BOARDMAN — Police searched a rental home at 53 Sciota Ave., finding 10 pounds of marijuana, packaging material and a scale inside.

No arrests have been made, and the search, performed through a warrant, is part of an ongoing investigation.

Two adults and two children were inside the home when police entered about 1 p.m. Wednesday. The two adults tried to flee but were apprehended by police.

Canfield police chief

CANFIELD — A 13-year veteran of the city’s police force was sworn in as chief. Chuck Colucci III, 36, took his oath of office Wednesday in the city’s municipal building before the council meeting.

The former sergeant and assistant police chief said he credits his success on the force to his family.

“My wife and two sons have always been my support system throughout my career,” Colucci said. “Each of them posses uniquely different qualities that provide me with the strength and courage needed to proceed down the many paths life presents.”

Colucci graduated from Youngstown State University in 1995 with a bachelor’s degree in criminal justice. In 2001, he obtained his master’s in police administration from YSU. Former Police Chief David Blystone announced his retirement in February. He spent 17 of his 26 years on the force as chief.

Civil War show

YOUNGSTOWN — History buffs are welcome to attend a Civil War historical show from 3 to 4 p.m. Saturday at the Arms Museum, 648 Wick Ave. Tickets for the event are $5 for adults, $3 for seniors and $2 for children.

For more information, call the museum at (330) 743-2589.