Death ruled a homicide

Death ruled a homicide

LISBON

The death of a Columbiana County man who had gone missing in the fall officially has been ruled a homicide.

According to 21 WFMJ-TV, The Vindicator’s broadcast partner, the Columbiana County Coroner’s office says 71-year-old Gerald Klusch of Lisbon died from two gunshot wounds to the head. Klusch’s body was discovered Nov. 18 in a wooded area off Hazel Run Road near Salineville.

Klusch was last seen alive when he dropped off an employee at his home Sept. 29. His damaged and bloodied pickup truck was found the next day on Beacon Light Road.

Fire damages house

WARREN

A fire early Friday caused an estimated $40,000 damage to a home at 2437 Beal St. NW.

The home’s occupant escaped unharmed, but a city firefighter injured a knee while battling the blaze that was reported at 4:46 a.m. The cause of the fire, which did $30,000 damage to the structure and $10,000 to its contents, is under investigation.

Bank robbery reported

SANDY LAKE, PA.

A white man with his face hidden by a ball cap and hoodie robbed the Mercer County State Bank of an undetermined amount of money at 4:30 p.m. Friday.

Sandy Lake Police Chief Donald Oakes, who is investigating the robbery with the assistance of the FBI and Pennsylvania State Police, said the suspect walked into the bank at 3309 N. Main St. and pushed a note demanding money toward a teller. After the teller complied, the robber grabbed the money and escaped on foot. The robber did not show a weapon, Oakes said.

Teen reports beating

Girard

A Girard High School student told police four unidentified males wearing black hooded sweat shirts and masks beat and tried robbing him Thursday evening after he left school.

The victim, a 16-year-old from Church Hill Road, told police that while he was walking home on Park Avenue the males beat him with a hubcap and a stick.

The victim also told police that they tried taking his bowling bag and backpack.

The four males ran into Tod Park when a car turned onto Park Avenue. The victim then ran home and told a teacher about the incident the next day, according to a police report.

The victim told police he did not know any of the four perpetrators, but said they called out his name during the attack.

Weapons qualification

VIENNA

Residents and passers-by in the vicinity of Youngstown Air Reserve Station in Vienna should not be alarmed to hear weapons fire early Tuesday.

During that period, members of the 910th Airlift Wing’s Security Forces Squadron and Department of Defense security officers will be conducting weapons qualification from 12:30 a.m. to about 6 a.m. Tuesday.

The weapons fire is a scheduled event and is necessary to maintain the mission readiness of the security personnel assigned to the 910th.

Leadership council

YOUNGSTOWN

The Youngstown Neighborhood Leadership Council meets at 6:30 p.m. Monday at the Public Library of Youngstown and Mahoning County’s main branch, 305 Wick Ave.

All neighborhood group presidents and/or vice presidents, or designated representatives, are invited to attend.

Monday’s agenda includes discussion of the upcoming Youngstown City School District levy by Dr. Connie Hathorn, superintendent; Youngstown’s Citizen Inspection Program by Maureen O’Neil; a Mahoning County Land Bank update; and discussion regarding recommendations for the city’s Charter Review Commission. For more information, contact Phil Kidd at 330-743-1196.

Police patrol mall

BOARDMAN

Internet claims of trouble brewing at the Southern Park Mall led to police patrolling the shopping center. Police began their patrols after Facebook claims said there would be mayhem at the mall at 4:30 p.m. Friday, according to 21 WFMJ-TV, The Vindicator’s broadcast partner.

Three police officers were dispatched to the mall as a security precaution. No incidents were reported.