METRO DIGEST | Electrical problem caused house fire

Electrical problem caused house fire

YOUNGSTOWN

An electrical problem at a house at 456 Sunshine Ave. caused a fire, destroying the home, firefighters said.

A 61-year-old woman was about to take a nap around 11 a.m. Wednesday when she noticed a computer in her son’s bedroom was on fire, firefighters said.

She was the only person in the house and escaped without injury.

The East Side house is a complete loss, with the estimated damage cost of the structure and its contents between $35,000 and $40,000, firefighters said.

Homeless man accused of assault

YOUNGSTOWN

A mother claims her 15-year-old daughter was sexually assaulted and impregnated by a homeless man she allowed to live with the family for several months.

The 37-year-old East Side woman told officers her daughter just recently told her she is pregnant and that the homeless man has been having sex with her. No charges have been filed.

Sexual-assault charges filed

YOUNGSTOWN

Lawyers for Mahoning County Children Services Board and an agency youth leader have requested a civil lawsuit alleging gross sexual imposition of a 13-year-old girl in CSB custody be moved from common pleas to federal court.

In November, the guardian for the girl filed the suit in Mahoning County Common Pleas Court, saying the youth leader assaulted, battered and caused gross sexual imposition to the girl on multiple occasions Dec. 24 and 25, 2009. The suit demanded a jury trial and more than $25,000 in damages.

On Thursday, attorneys for the CSB and the youth leader made the request to have the case, assigned to Judge R. Scott Krichbaum, moved to federal court. No hearing date has been set on the request.

Graham to open campaign office

WARREN

Jim Graham, United Auto Workers Local 1112 president, was set to open his campaign headquarters at 540 East Market Street at 10 a.m. today.

In a press release, Graham said if he’s elected mayor, he will bring together the area’s best and brightest minds and surround himself with “professionals who have significant and proven expertise in key areas.”

Graham, a Democrat, also called for a restoration of pride in Warren, saying, “Pride is a decision. Our city is our home, and despite the critical challenges we face, we must restore the pride of days past when Warren was a thriving, flourishing community.”

So far, one other Democrat has announced that he will run for mayor — Doug Franklin, the current safety-service director.