METRO DIGEST | New murder trial

New murder trial

LISBON

Andrew Irwin is back on trial in Columbiana County Common Pleas Court on a charge of murder dating to Aug. 23, 2006.

He had been convicted of stabbing Emily Foreman to death over drugs in a house in Liverpool Township.

The 7th District Court of Appeals ordered a new trial for Irwin because the judges said he received inadequate counsel. He was represented by Atty. George Kafantaris of Warren. Kafantaris was permanently disbarred by the Ohio Supreme Court on April 1, 2009, for misappropriating clients’ funds and other acts of misconduct.

Landlord meeting

STRUTHERS

The city safety-service director is meeting with landlords at 10 a.m. Saturday at Mauthe Park, 156 Smithfield St.

Safety-service Director Ed Wildes said he will inform landlords of city ordinances that affect them and what the penalties are for violations.

Salem house fire

SALEM

Fire damaged a house at 631 North Ellsworth Ave. Wednesday afternoon.

No one was home at the time, the fire department said.

Faulty wiring in an upstairs bedroom caused the 4:30 p.m. blaze, which traveled to the attic, the department said.

The department estimated the damage at $15,000 to the $193,000 house and $40,000 to its contents.