Defense bills OK’d

Defense bills OK’d

VIENNA

The U.S. Senate approved defense bills Tuesday that include $9.4 million for an indoor firing range at the Youngstown Air Reserve Station.

The “station has become a model for other air reserve stations throughout the country, but if we want to maintain this level of high performance, we must upgrade this firing-range facility,” said U.S. Sen. Rob Portman, R-Ohio. “This critical funding will help to ensure that our reservists in Youngstown are equipped with the skills needed to carry out their operations.”

“Our service members need effective training to ensure their safety and the safety of those they serve,” said U.S. Sen. Sherrod Brown, D-Ohio. “The upgrades to the firing range will ensure that they are prepared for future missions.”

Niles appointment

NiLES

Tom Scarnecchia, mayor- elect, has asked a retired former employee in the Niles engineering department to be his service director.

James DePasquale said Tuesday he “probably” will accept the position. He worked 31 years for the city, retiring in 2003 as capital improvements inspector. In that capacity, he handled all new construction, including road resurfacing and sewer renovations.

Homicide ruling

WARREN

The Trumbull County coroner has ruled the death of Robert D. Goliday a homicide resulting from a penetrating gunshot wound to the abdomen. Goliday, 33, of Rogers Avenue Southeast, was found in the area of Feedele Avenue and Hazelwood Avenue Southeast with at least one gunshot wound at 11:22 p.m. Thursday.

Another man believed to have been involved, De’Suan T. Ross, 22, of Fifth Street Southwest, was taken to ValleyCare Trumbull Memorial Hospital with a gunshot wound. Goliday’s death marks the third homicide of the year in Warren.

Second fire in week

WARREN

An unoccupied house on Hamilton Street Southwest caught on fire for a second time in a week Monday night. The house at 2107 Hamilton was intentionally set on fire at 9:57 p.m. Monday, causing $15,000 damage, Warren Fire Chief Ken Nussle said. The siding on the outside of the house caught on fire at 3:14 a.m. Nov. 2, causing slight damage.

One of three firetrucks sent to Monday’s Hamilton Street fire was diverted from that fire to one reported at 10:03 p.m. Monday at 1732 Ferndale Ave. SW. The resident fell asleep while cooking, which resulted in a fire that caused $5,000 in damage, Nussle said.

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