Implantable heart defibrillator available

Implantable heart defibrillator available

WARREN

A new procedure for those at risk of sudden cardiac arrest, the implantable defibrillator known as the S-ICD, is now available at ValleyCare Trumbull Memorial Hospital.

The S-ICD is designed to protect patients against sudden cardiac arrest without touching the heart. Placed just under the skin, the implant automatically delivers a lifesaving shock when an abnormal heart rhythm is detected.

“The implant allows access the heart without going through the veins, and there are no leads with this system so it reduces the patient’s long-term risk of infection,” said Dr. Mita Raheja, board-certified electrophysiologist at TMH.

Deadline extended for fundraising seminar

CHAMPION

The registration deadline has been extended to Monday for the Raymond J. Wean Foundation’s seminar on fundraising from 8:30 to 10:30 a.m. Wednesday at Kent State University at Trumbull, Technology Building, Room 117, 4314 Mahoning Ave. NW.

The speaker is David M. Holmes, acting director of the Foundation Center-Cleveland.

The cost is $10 per person with light refreshments provided. To register, go to www.rjweanfdn.org. call or email Lori Wiebe at 330-394-5600, ext.100.

Trial date postponed

WARREN

The trial date has been moved back from April 9 to Aug. 27 for David Martin, a Cleveland man charged with a Warren murder. If convicted, he could face the death penalty.

His attorneys filed a motion this week asking Judge Andrew Logan of Trumbull County Common Pleas Court for a mental health professional to be appointed to determine whether Martin is competent to stand trial.

Judge Logan did not file a judgment entry indicating a reason why the trial date was moved back, but the change in trial date occurred the same day the competency motion was filed.

Martin, 29, is charged with killing Jeremy Cole, 21, of Warren and attempting to kill Melissa Putnam, 27, at Putnam’s Oak Street Southwest home Sept. 27, 2012.

Last day of school

AUSTINTOWN

Austintown School District has changed its last day of school. The district’s waiver day of March 31 has been changed to a normal day, and June 4 has become the new last day of school. The waiver day was changed to June 5.

A waiver day requires teachers to be at the school for the state’s requirement of days in a school year, but the students aren’t required to be there. For example, schools can offer workshops for their teachers or they can use the day as a planning day.

Man pleads innocent

NILES

Jeffrey D. McFalls, 36, of Helen Avenue pleaded innocent Friday in Niles Municipal Court to misdemeanor charges of impersonating a police officer and aggravated menacing after a girl, her friend and her stepfather reported that McFalls pointed a stun gun and laser at them while they were delivering newspapers.

The three reported McFalls pointed the laser at one of the girls at 5:10 a.m. near McFalls’ house, making them fearful someone was pointing a gun at them. They learned later, after a verbal confrontation between McFalls and the stepfather, that McFalls also had a stun gun.

McFalls identified himself as a sheriff’s department employee while holding the stun gun, they said.