Metro digest || Heart trouble killed man

Heart trouble killed man

BOARDMAN — Preliminary results from a Tuesday autopsy show that George Harris, 63, of Woodview Avenue died of natural causes related to cardiac problems, according to the Mahoning County coronor’s office. Harris, found Monday morning in a snow embankment on his property, had been dead for about two days before being discovered, a coronor’s office news release said. No evidence of hypothermia or injury was detected.

Girard garbage levy

GIRARD — Girard council recently voted to place a 1.5-mill garbage levy on the May ballot. If passed, the levy would go into effect in 2011.

Mayor James Melfi said Girard’s system of levying a tax on property owners specifically for garbage collection has been in place for 50 or 60 years. “It’s proved to be a good system,” he said. “It’s safe, clean and sanitary.” And, he said, property owners don’t get an individual bill for garbage collection. The system serves about 4,000 people. The city contracts with Allied Waste Services.

But, the mayor said, the cost of garbage collection has increased in the last 20 years, and more funds are needed to keep the service in place. He said this year the city will supplement the garbage fund with money from the general fund, estimating the amount at $125,000. “That’s if the general fund stays healthy ... which could be dicey because of the economy,” he said.

Bank robber sentenced

WARREN — The man who robbed the First Place Bank branch in the Warren Plaza on Oct. 9 has been sentenced to two years in prison. Joe D. Rein, 42, of Washington Street Northeast, pleaded guilty last month to robbery, a third- degree felony punishable by up to five years in prison. Judge Andrew Logan sentenced Rein on Tuesday in Trumbull County Common Pleas Court.

Warren police said Rein walked into the bank about 9:50 a.m. Oct. 9, handed a teller a note, received money and walked out. No weapon was seen. A witness said she saw a man get into a tan Oldsmobile and drive off about the time of the robbery.

Man turns himself in

WARREN — A Youngstown man turned himself in to Warren police and was placed in Trumbull County Jail on Tuesday in the Sunday evening shooting of DeShaun L. Pruitt on West Avenue Northwest.

Darrell E. Peterman, 47, of 150 West Indianola Ave., pleaded innocent in Warren Municipal Court to felonious assault. Judge Thomas Gysegem set bond at $25,000 and ordered Peterman to stay away from Pruitt and have no weapons. If convicted on the charge, Peterman could spend up to eight years in prison. Peterman returns to court Feb. 23.

Police said Pruitt, 35, of Lener Avenue Southwest, told them he was shot three times by someone he knows about 11:10 p.m. Pruitt was in critical condition Monday in Forum Health Trumbull Memorial Hospital.

Charged in endangering

LISBON — Randy Allen Wylie, 24, of West Taggart St., East Palestine, has been taken into custody after being indicted by the Columbiana County grand jury on a charge of endangering children. He is accused of causing serious physical harm to a 9-month-old child Sept. 1.

Lunch to be served

YOUNGSTOWN — St. Andrewes AME Church, 521 W. Earle Ave., will serve lunch to the public from noon to 2 p.m. today.