METRO DIGEST || Ex-deputy Lupo in critical condition

Ex-deputy Lupo critical

HILLSVILLE, Pa.

Pennsylvania State Police at New Castle say a former Mahoning County Sheriff’s deputy who was wounded in a shooting Sunday is in critical condition.

Earlier this week, police said Joseph Lupo, 50, had died of a gunshot wound to the head after a shooting at his home in Mahoning Township about 11:20 p.m. Sunday that also injured his wife Caroline, also 50. Both are being treated at St. Elizabeth Health Center in Youngstown. Caroline Lupo suffered wounds to her stomach and leg.

However, Trooper Harry Gustafson said police were given the wrong information about Joseph Lupo and he later learned from the hospital that he is alive.

Man faces charges of rape, kidnapping

WARREN

Kevin T. Johns, 23, of Cincinnati was arraigned Wednesday in Warren Municipal Court on charges of rape, aggravated robbery and kidnapping in connection with March 13 incidents involving two Stiles Street Northwest women age 21 and 32.

A police report says the attacks involved a car and taking a victim’s car keys at 5:30 p.m. Two cellphones were taken. The 21-year-old woman reported being injured, but the 32-year-old did not.

Police drove to Cincinnati on Tuesday to bring Johns back to Warren to face charges. He was being held in the Hamilton County jail on a rape warrant out of Warren.

An innocent plea for Johns was entered in Warren Municipal Court on Wednesday, and Judge Terry Ivanchak set bond at $300,000. Johns returns to court at 10:15 a.m. next Thursday.

Explosion suspect in custody, not charged

AUSTINTOWN

Police have a man in custody in the case of the South Turner Road house that exploded Sunday.

The suspect has not been officially charged.

The house, at 2196 S. Turner, is for sale and was vacant at the time the explosion occurred, about 8 p.m.

Witnesses said they saw a green Kia sitting in the driveway Sunday morning, according to the police report. The car left an hour later.

When police and fire officials investigated the home after the explosion, they found copper pipes that were bent and cut and found that the gas line also had been vandalized.

Fire Chief Andy Frost III said the gas line probably was cut inadvertently while the suspect was collecting the copper.

Oxycodone pleas

PITTSBURGH

Three New Castle, Pa., residents have pleaded guilty in federal court to conspiracy to distribute nearly 50,000 oxycodone pills to drug users on New Castle’s streets.

Thomas Klingensmith Sr., 58; Bobbi Jo Klingensmith, 35; and Shannon Viggiano, 34, sold the highly addictive narcotic pills between September 2008 and June 2011, the U.S. attorney said.

The Klingensmiths will be sentenced in September; Viggiano in November. They face up to 20 years in prison and up to a $1 million fine.

Members of the drug ring bought the pills for $14 each in Florida and resold them for up to $25 each in New Castle, the U.S. attorney said. Authorities seized about $500,000 in cash during the investigation.

The U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration and Pennsylvania State and New Castle police investigated the case.

Niles band benefit set at Quaker Steak

AUSTINTOWN

Quaker Steak & Lube, 5800 Interstate Blvd., will have a “Make a Difference Monday” event to benefit the Niles High School Marching Band from 4 to 10 p.m. Monday.

Ten percent of total food sales from everyone who comes in with an official event flier will be donated to the band.

Band supporters must bring an official event flier with them and attach it to their receipt in order for their food purchase to count toward the total donation amount. Also Monday, band members will perform for those who come out to support their fundraising efforts.

For information on how your organization can host a similar event at Quaker Steak & Lube, call 330-349-9464.

Meeting canceled

Lordstown

Lordstown Board of Public Affairs has canceled its meeting at 4 p.m. today at the administration building, 1455 Salt Springs Road. It has been rescheduled for 4 p.m. next Thursday.