Vindy.com for April 12, 2012
Please note, our last day of publication was Saturday, August 31, 2019.
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Stories published April 12, 2012
Please note, our last day of publication was Saturday, August 31, 2019.
Syrian rebels vow to test fragile truce
Syria's opposition called for widespread protests Friday to test the regime's commitment to an internationally brokered cease-fire that the U.N. chief described as so fragile it could collapse with a single gunshot.
Firefighters save trapped pup in dramatic rescue
Just as Wichita officials were holding a news conference Thursday to announce their efforts to save a dog had failed, a firefighter saw wet canine nostrils appear in a tiny hole in concrete.
Woman killed, children injured in Columbiana County crash
Troopers from the Lisbon Post of the Ohio State Highway Patrol are investigating a crash that killed an East Liverpool woman Thursday evening.
Free produce Friday
The Warren Family Mission, 361 Elm Road NE, is offering free fresh produce today from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Obama defends Romney's wife after Dem gaffe
The White House - and President Barack Obama himself - rushed into a damage control campaign Thursday to blunt the impact of a Democratic consultant's suggestion that Ann Romney isn't qualified to discuss the economy because she "hasn't worked a day in her life."
OHSAA adds seventh football division for 2013
OHSAA adds seventh football division for 2013 By Rob todor todor@vindy.com The first domino in
NY group wins OK to organize PTA for gay students
NY group wins OK to organize PTA for gay students GARDEN CITY, N.Y. (AP) — A New York group has
North Korea fires long-range rocket, South Korea says
South Korea's Defense Ministry says North Korea has fired a long-range rocket.
YSU offensive coordinator: ‘We can’t be complacent’
YSU offensive coordinator: ‘We can’t be complacent’ By JOE SCALZO scalzo@vindy.com YOUNGSTOWN
Phantoms close regular season with two home games
Phantoms close regular season with two home games By TOM WILLIAMS williams@vindy.com
Bus driver who collapsed during school commute dies
Bus driver who collapsed during school commute dies MILTON, Wash. (AP) — A school bus driver whose
Judge refuses to toss charges against Sandusky
Judge refuses to toss charges against Sandusky BELLEFONTE, Pa. (AP) — A judge has refused to throw
Kan. grain elevator cited for serious violations in explosion
Kan. grain elevator cited for serious violations in explosion ATCHISON, Kan. (AP) — The federal
Marsh fired as assistant city law director
Marsh fired as assistant city law director YOUNGSTOWN City officials said that senior assistant
Judge: Seattle man not guilty in 50-year-old rape
Judge: Seattle man not guilty in 50-year-old rape SYCAMORE, Ill. (AP) — An Illinois judge has
Zimmerman to be arraigned May 29
Zimmerman to be arraigned May 29 SANFORD, Fla. (AP) George Zimmerman made his first appearance
Trooper, motorist: Mysterious object fell from sky
Trooper, motorist: Mysterious object fell from sky LITCHFIELD, Conn. (AP) — Authorities in
Mom of dead Fla. teen clarifies ’accident’ remark
Mom of dead Fla. teen clarifies ’accident’ remark SANFORD, Fla. (AP) — Trayvon Martin’s mother
Ex-Mo. governor charged with mishandling donation
Ex-Mo. governor charged with mishandling donation ST. LOUIS (AP) — Former Missouri Gov. Roger
Expert: Church can investigate sex-abuse reports
Expert: Church can investigate sex-abuse reports PHILADELPHIA (AP) — An expert on Roman Catholic
Postmaster general visits potential closure sites
Postmaster general visits potential closure sites HELENA, Mont. (AP) — Postmaster General Patrick
Drilling in state parks must be 300 feet from campgrounds
Drilling in state parks must be 300 feet from campgrounds COLUMBUS Proposed rules for allowing
Judge will reveal Jordan Brown decision 2 p.m. Friday
Judge will reveal Jordan Brown decision 2 p.m. Friday new castle, pa. Closing arguments ended at
Nick Petrella, Boulevard Tavern owner, dies
Nick Petrella, Boulevard Tavern owner, dies YOUNGSTOWN Nick Petrella, 65, owner of The Boulevard
Health career workshop next week
The NEO HealthForce Career Workshop will be from 8:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. April 18 in the Community Outreach Center in Champion Presbyterian Church, 4997 Mahoning Ave. NW.
Columbiana BOE to discuss employee matter this afternoon
Columbiana Exempted Village Board of Education will have a special meeting at 3 p.m. today in the board room of the high school.
Earth Day event will be a repurposed sale
Earth Day event will be a repurposed sale BOARDMAN Boardman United Methodist Preschool and Child

Parents announce Hubbard-Verdi wedding plans
The parents of Carrie Hubbard and Nicholas Verdi are announcing the engagement of their children.
Plans made for Miss Pappas to marry Mr. Wills
POLAND Thomas G. and Anna Pappas and Rusty and Linda Wills are announcing the engagement and
Salem’s Citizens of Honor will be inducted at dinner
SALEM During the Salem Founders’ Day Dinner on April 24, two men will be officially inducted as
Public invited to open house to support Harding robotics team
The Warren G. Harding FIRST Robotics Team, Delphi ELITE, Team 48, will have an open house from 2:30 to 4:30 p.m. Tuesday in the small gym at Warren G. Harding High School to talk about the successful season the team has had.
Springfield to upgrade stop signs, sets clean-up day
Four-way stop signs will be installed Monday at the intersection of Sandy Court and Midway in the Carousel Corners development off Calla Road.
Yummy Mummy's opening Saturday in East Side library
A new cafe will open Saturday in the East Side branch of the Public Library of Youngstown and Mahoning County, 430 Early Road. “Yummy Mummy’s” will be open from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. that day, offering 20 percent opening day discounts on orders of $5 or more.
10 area residents indicted on heroin, coke charges
Four Youngstown residents and a Farrell, Pa., resident are among 10 people indicted by a federal grand jury on cocaine and heroin trafficking charges, the U.S. Attorney announced Wednesday.

Closing remarks expected to begin today in Jordan Brown case
Testimony is finished in the murder case of 14-year-old Jordan Brown, who is charged with killing his father’s pregnant fiance.

A tale of two teams at YSU
It’s the best of times for the Youngstown State offense, but the defense is still searching for consistency
Poland village panel to recommend cuts in face of projected $200K deficit
By Ashley Luthern aluthern@vindy.com POLAND Seeking to lower a projected $200,000 deficit, the
YSU notebook
Spring game change: After playing on Saturday afternoons his first two years, YSU coach Eric Wolford moved this year’s Red-White game to 7:30 p.m. Friday.
YSU renovations likely to begin in May
Work to renovate three auditoriums at Youngstown State University is set to begin next month.
Raiders’ standout impressed by Akron’s coaches and facilities
As an elementary student at the old McGuffey school in Warren, Anita Brown received a promise from her teacher, P.J. Notar.
Youngstown, Mahoning officials: Health merger information valuable
By WILLIAM K. ALCORN alcorn@vindy.com AUSTINTOWN Youngstown and Mahoning County public health
Kokrak subject of magazine feature
Jason Kokrak’s prodigious hitting ability has caught the attention of the golf world.
Youngstown cops probe beatings with bats
Youngstown police are investigating two separate Tuesday beatings involving baseball bats.
Preps at a glance
BASEBALL CAN. CENT. CATH. 12, WEST BRANCH 5 CCC0135111—12151 W. Branch3000200—586 Krupar,
Man charged with stalking ex-wife with sex toys Web ad
Staff report NEW CASTLE, PA. A man is charged with stalking and harassing his ex-wife after he
Vindicator player of the year will vie for starting role as a freshman
He won’t be shooting hoops down the street from his house anymore. He won’t be playing with teammates that he’s known all his life. And that red and black Wildcat No. 3 jersey he proudly wore — it will be handed down to somebody else.
‘Realistic’ financial projection requested by Liberty schools panel
By Robert Guttersohn rguttersohn@vindy.com Liberty The fiscal commission prodded and picked at
Trumbull officials to announce schizophrenia program
Staff report WARREN Mental health officials will announce Friday morning the start of FIRST
Gasser Chair Co. odds-on fave
Gasser Chair Co. Inc. President Mark Gasser and account manager Chris Dravis stand by a chair assembled at Gasser’s Mahoning Valley factory. The chair will be used in the Horseshoe Casino in Cleveland, set to open in May.
New this week
NEw this week Cabin in the Woods (R) Five friends go for a break at a remote cabin and get more
Give Congress a do-over
Opinion: By E. THOMAS McCLANAHAN McClatchy Newspapers President Barack Obama laid down a marker to the
MAHONING COUNTY COURTS
courts MAHONING COUNTY Marriage licenses Nicholas J. Verdi, 26, of 6805 Mayfield Road No. 310,
BUSINESS DIGEST || Free workshop
Free workshop LIBERTY Homeowners at risk of foreclosure or individuals unable to get home loans
Obama campaign is ready for a ‘ramping up’ on Romney
Associated Press WASHINGTON For all the turmoil of the long primary season, President Barack
Democratic chairman beats back challenge
Associated Press COLUMBUS The chairman of the Ohio Democratic Party on Wednesday handily beat
Murder charge brought in Fla. shooting
Amid furious public pressure to make an arrest in the Trayvon Martin slaying, the special prosecutor on the case went for the maximum Wednesday, bringing a second-degree murder charge against the neighborhood watch captain who shot the unarmed black teenager.
Rusty Wallace one of five newest nominees for NASCAR HOF
Combined dispatches Ray Fox, Anne B. France, Wendell Scott, Ralph Seagraves and Rusty Wallace were
Weighing ups & downs of legalizing illicit drugs
Opinion: WASHINGTON Amelioration of today’s drug problem requires Americans to understand the significance
Woman regains consciousness
Staff report WARREN The nearly-dead woman who was dumped onto the pavement near a gasoline pump
YSU baseball falls to Kent St.
Staff report Kent Kent State scored six runs in the third inning and four in the eighth to
Pitching, defense get Tribe beat
Associated Press Cleveland For four games, the Cleveland Indians had trouble hitting when it
Bourque scores 2 in Predators’ win
Associated Press NASHVILLE, Tenn. Gabriel Bourque scored two goals in his postseason debut, and
Hannity contacted by shooter
Associated Press NEW YORK Fox News Channel’s Sean Hannity has become the second cable news host
N. Korea is poised to launch rocket
Associated Press PYONGYANG, North Korea North Korea was poised Thursday to send a rocket into
struthers Safety project to begin soon
By jeanne starmack starmack@vindy.com Struthers A long-awaited safety project is beginning
It’s become fence-mending time for Romney
Associated Press WASHINGTON Now is the time for Mitt Romney to mend his Republican fences and
Doggone it! Cavaliers fall to Pacers in OT, eliminated from playoff hunt
Associated Press cleveland One of Indiana’s players wrestled Cleveland’s furry mascot before the
New stop signs to be installed in development
By Mary Grzebieniak news@vindy.com NEW SPRINGFIELD Four-way stop signs will be installed
Ohio nursing-home funds will be tied to standards
Associated Press TOLEDO Beginning this year, nursing homes in Ohio will need to show that
AUDITIONS
AUDITIONS ACTORS “The Best Little Whorehouse in Texas,SDRq New Castle Playhouse. Auditions will
METRO DIGEST || Eastwood hotel plans proceed
Hotel plans proceed NILES The Cafaro Co. says it plans to move forward with its hotel and
Cheddar’s Casual Cafe will open in Boardman
Staff report BOARDMAN A new family-dining franchise is coming to Boardman. A 9,000-square-foot
Woman pleads not guilty to vehicular-homicide charge
Staff Report YOUNGSTOWN A 21-year-old Alliance woman was arraigned in Youngstown Municipal Court
US transportation official visits Valley
The man responsible for day-to-day operations of the U.S. Department of Transportation visited the city Wednesday, meeting with small-business owners for a White House-sponsored round- table discussion at the Youngstown/Warren Regional Chamber.
Prices of natural gas dip below $2
Associated Press NEW YORK The price of natural gas has dropped below $2 for the first time in a
CD RATES
CD RATES The table shows the annual percentage yield as of Wednesday. All yields given in percent.
POLICE CALLS in Girard, Liberty and Hubbard
POLICE CALLS A summary of recent criminal activity in Girard, Liberty and Hubbard: GIRARD
Shatner to discuss career in Cleveland
Staff report CLEVELAND Television and movie star William Shatner will come to the State Theater
Luncheon planned
Luncheon planned BOARDMAN The Help Hotline Crisis Center Victims’ Assistance Program is having
BP’s investment in the Valley deserves cheers, not jeers
Editorial: London-based energy behemoth BP, the second largest oil and gas producer in the nation, is
Agenda Friday
Agenda Friday Area Agency on Aging 11 Board of Directors, noon, Niles office, 5555 Youngstown-
Luggage tags ID suspect in puppy abandonment
Associated Press TOLEDO An Ohio man accused of zipping six bulldog-mix puppies into a suitcase
Workshop planned
Workshop planned CHAMPION The NEO HealthForce Career Workshop will be from 8:30 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Be careful what you wish for
Opinion: By Caroline Poplin McClatchy-Tribune As we wait for the Supreme Court to render its verdict on
NIGHTLIFE
American Legion Post 737, 16465 Milton Ave., Lake Milton; 330-654-5630 Fri: Night Owls, 7 p.m. to
NEWSMAKERS
NEWSMAKERS Ex-Miss USA reaches plea deal in DUI case HIGHLAND PARK, Mich. Rima Fakih, the
Who needs government?
Opinion: By Kevin Horrigan St. Louis Post-Dispatch I want government to leave me alone. I’m sick of it.
Nude maid service raises eyebrows in Texas
Associated Press LUBBOCK, Texas Police in this staunchly conser- vative West Texas city are
‘Miracle’ morgue baby is improving
‘Miracle’ morgue baby is improving buenos aires, argentina A mother in Argentina says she fell
ODNR issues permit for a Utica Shale well
The Ohio Department of Natural Resources has issued a new permit for a Utica Shale well to Chesapeake Exploration LLC, a subsidiary of Oklahoma City-based Chesapeake Energy Corp.
Syria vows to stop fighting by deadline
Associated Press BEIRUT Syria promised to comply with a U.N.-brokered cease-fire beginning
What’s behind autism Some questions and answers
Q. What causes autism? A. That’s what researchers are trying to figure out with a host of
Coroner: Montrose’s death was a suicide
Los Angeles Times LOS ANGELES Hard-rock guitarist Ronnie Montrose died of a self-inflicted
Pub crawl wrestles with ideas
Expect some luchadores at the Cinco de Mayo pub crawl in downtown Youngstown. The Spanish Heritage
Pennsylvania State Police issue 31 texting-ban tickets
Associated Press HARRISBURG, Pa. The Pennsylvania State Police said Wednesday its troopers have
Births
Births St. Elizabeth Health Center Correction: Paula Sattarelle and Larry Villers II, Girard,
Still a Toledo classic: Jamie Farr at Packard
By GUY D’ASTOLFO dastolfo@vindy.com WARREN Jamie Farr has got a million stories from his days
Panel denies Manson’s 12th bid for parole
Associated Press CORCORAN, Calif. A prison panel denied parole Wednesday to mass-murderer
Hurting our health?
Doctors say natural-gas drilling lacks research Associated Press PITTSBURGH Public-health
AUTISM’S CAUSES
By MIKE STOBBE AP Medical Writer ATLANTA More than $1 billion has been spent over the past
Kasich won’t spare killer
By MARC KOVAC news@vindy.com COLUMBUS Gov. John Kasich has denied clemency for the Portage
Penn State campus offers ‘Trifles’
Staff report Sharon, Pa. The Penn State-Shenango Drama Club will present “Trifles and Other
Mastodon’s new album: an exercise in heavy rock
By JOHN BENSON entertainment@vindy.com The notion of sludge metal act Mastodon having a workout
Salem theater names new manager
Staff report SALEM Gary Kekel has been named the new manager of Salem Community Theatre.
"Buried Child"; digs into secrets that can ruin family
As its title suggests, “Buried Child” does not exactly make for an evening of light entertainment.
No secret about where president stands on same-sex marriage
Opinion: No secret about where president stands on same-sex marriage The point of an Associated Press
Comedian Mike Vecchione makes time for hometown show
Comedian Mike Vecchione admits to getting his butt kicked by jet lag.
“missing” (8 p.m., abc): On a new episode of “Missing,” Becca (Ashley Judd)
“missing” (8 p.m., abc): On a new episode of “Missing,” Becca (Ashley Judd) is getting frustrated by
Making a Point
The adage “you can’t rush greatness” is normally true, but there are notable moments when genius seemingly strikes on command.