$500K bond set for suspect in robberies

$500K bond set for suspect in robberies

YOUNGSTOWN

A man accused of committing two armed robberies using a knife is in Mahoning County jail on a $500,000 bond.

Michael Varchulik, 41, of Edinburg, Pa., appeared Friday before Judge Robert Douglas of Youngstown Municipal Court for arraignment. Prosecutors told the judge before he imposed the bond that Varchulik has a previous arrest for theft.

Varchulik is a suspect in an aggravated robbery Aug. 14 at the PNC Bank branch on Market Street. Police say a woman was robbed at knife point while completing a transaction in her vehicle at the automated teller machine.

Varchulik also is a suspect in the aggravated robbery of Angiuli’s Farm Market in Canfield on Aug. 15. A 17-year-old employee was robbed at knife point while working in the fruit stand. The robber fled with $60 in cash.

Public speaking

AUSTINTOWN

A recent survey revealed that people are more scared of public speaking than dying.

Wouldn’t it be great if you could conquer that fear? Have you ever found yourself too nervous to think straight? Austintown’s newest public- speaking club can help.

Visit Austintown’s own Toastmaster’s club at 7 p.m. Wednesday at The Upstairs Lounge, 4500 Mahoning Ave., for their Visitors Day.

Toastmasters International is a nonprofit educational organization that teaches communication and leadership skills through a worldwide network of clubs.

Pavement repairs

NORTH JACKSON

The entrance ramp from Bailey Road to Interstate 76 westbound in Jackson Township is closed through mid-October for pavement repairs on I-76 westbound.

The detour is Bailey to Mahoning Avenue to state Route 534 to I-76.

This work is the beginning of a $500,000 project to make pavement repairs along I-76 westbound, just west of Bailey.

The entire project is scheduled to be completed by late October.

Grants for HMHP

YOUNGSTOWN

Humility of Mary Health Partners will receive $418,839 in federal grants for training and buying equipment.

U.S. Rep. Charlie Wilson of St. Clairsville, D-6th, announced Friday that the grants are coming from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.

HMHP will receive $284,457 to help toward the purchase of training equipment.

The organization, which oversees St. Elizabeth Health Center in Youngstown, St. Elizabeth Boardman Health Center and St. Joseph Health Center, Warren, also will receive $134,382 for post-doctoral training in the fields of general medicine, pediatrics, public-health dentistry and dental hygiene.

Crime Stoppers

YOUNGSTOWN

On Sept. 13 about 10:30 p.m., an unoccupied Youngstown police cruiser was vandalized by gunfire on Sunnybrook Street.

A witness described a male — white, age 25 to 30, with blonde hair, wearing a white T-shirt with patches on the left sleeve and chest — fleeing the area driving a light-blue compact two-door auto with a loud exhaust.

Police received a similar complaint the following evening on Baymar Street. A resident heard gunfire outside his home about 11 p.m. and discovered that his auto and home had sustained multiple bullet holes.

Police believe these two incidents are related and request the public’s assistance in solving these crimes.

Anyone with information is urged to call city police at 330-747-7911 or Crime Stoppers at 746-CLUE to receive a cash reward for the conviction of the perpetrator. All calls will remain anonymous.