Howland house fire

Howland house fire

HOWLAND

Firefighters said no one was home when they were called to a house fire at 2217 Larchmont Avenue around 6 a.m. Sunday.

The structure was heavily involved in flames, and firefighters didn’t know if anyone was inside the one-story frame structure, said Lt. Lance Blair.

Firefighters searched the house while fighting the blaze but found no one. Blair said the tenant of the home was away at the time of the blaze, and firefighters still didn’t know the tenant’s identity as of late Sunday.

The cause is under investigation, but nothing appeared suspicious, Blair said.

The damage was estimated at $23,000, he said, noting the house is a total loss.

Blaze attributed to grill

YOUNGSTOWN

Firefighters said a man cooking ribs on a back-porch charcoal grill set fire to his home at 327-329 Myrtle Ave. just before 1 p.m. Sunday.

Battalion Chief Gary DiTullio said the man, believed to be in his mid-70s, escaped without injury but went to St. Elizabeth Health Center for observation. Firefighters didn’t have his name.

The fire burned up the rear wall of the home before it was brought under control. Damage was estimated about $5,000.

$2,000 theft probed

YOUNGSTOWN

Police are investigating the reported theft of $2,000 from Denny’s Auto Sales at 1204 South Avenue.

An employee of the business said the money was left in a desk drawer around noon Friday to be deposited by the business owner but disappeared after the employee took a potential customer for a test drive, police said.

The employee said the woman wanting the test drive was accompanied by two other women and a man and that one of the other women entered the business to use the restroom while the employee remained outside.

Drug charges

NILES

Michael C. Callihan, 39, and Jennifer E. Kostan, of 56 E. Woodland Ave., were charged Friday by city police with trafficking in heroin, endangering children, drug abuse and permitting drug abuse.

Police and the Ohio Bureau of Criminal Identification and Investigation executed a search warrant at the home at 1:40 p.m. after a three-month investigation and complaints by people in the neighborhood.

A 4-year-old child was present during the search. A Trumbull County Children Services worker went to the home to provide help for the child.

Police said the drug activity was within 1,000 feet of McKinley High School, which could increase the charges.

Pavilion applications

NORTH LIMA

Pavilions are still available for rent at Woodworth and Memorial parks in Beaver Township for the 2010 picnic season.

The Beaver Township Park Board is accepting rental applications for the pavilions.

This year, the rental fees have been increased by $5 to help cover mounting operating and maintenance costs, said Scott Conway, township park administrator. The new fees are $45 for township residents and $75 for nonresidents.

For more information about renting the pavilions or township park activities, call 330-549-9552.

Grand opening

hubbard

The Hubbard Area Chamber of Commerce will celebrate the opening of Unique Gifts, 39 N. Main St., with a ribbon-cutting and grand opening at 5 p.m. June 2.

Refreshments will be available.

The chamber’s quarterly luncheon with a tailgate theme is scheduled for noon June 9 at Frankie’s Main Street Cafe.

Guest speaker will be Youngstown State head football coach Eric Wolford.

This luncheon also is open to the public. The cost is $12.

For a reservation, call 330-534-5120 or send e-mail to hacc44425@yahoo.com.