Bar fire ruled arson

Bar fire ruled arson

YOUNGSTOWN

Fire officials ruled a blaze at a South Avenue bar an arson.

Crews were called about 12:55 a.m. Thursday to Club Twisted, 3114 South Ave., and saw fire from the back of the building. Firefighters had to force their way inside the building to put the fire out in the roof, but there was minimal damage inside, reports said. Ladder crews also opened up the roof from the outside to get at the flames, reports said. Damage was listed at $7,000.

Firearm charges

YOUNGSTOWN

A federal grand jury indicted Charles L. Pete, 23, of Youngstown, on charges of being a felon in possession of a firearm and ammunition.

The indictment, handed up Wednesday, says Pete possessed a 7.62 mm rifle and ammunition Aug. 7 after having been convicted of drug trafficking and other offenses in 2015. Because he is a felon, Pete cannot possess a firearm.

The FBI and the Mahoning Valley Violent Crimes Task Force investigated the case. The prosecutor is Assistant U.S. Attorney Jason M. Katz.

Niles school levy

NILES

Niles City Schools have launched a campaign to convince voters to approve a 9.25-mill emergency operating levy in November. The 10-year levy would generate $2 million annually.

Schools Superintendent Ann Marie Thigpen said cutbacks in state and federal funding along with the need to improve technological capabilities for the district’s students are among the reasons for the levy request – the first in 12 years.

“We need to have one-on-one technology for our high-school and middle-school students,” Thigpen said. “I would like to see each child receive a small laptop because [their] smartphones are too small to do this type of study and work.”

Thigpen said the revenue also will help the district upgrade its aging bus fleet. She said a committee of about 30 people met Thursday to discuss the levy and outreach to district voters.

Rape charge

NILES

Joshua A. Worthy, 26, of Mason Street, remains in the Trumbull County jail in lieu of $500,000 bond after his arraignment Thursday in Niles Municipal Court on a rape charge. Niles police began to investigate July 27 when a woman reported the rape of a 5-year-old boy. Worthy, who police said has intellectual challenges, admitted to the offense when interviewed by police.

Carjacking probed

WARREN

Police are investigating a carjacking at the Pit Stop gas station, 1708 Youngstown Road, at 6:07 p.m. Wednesday.

The victim, a male, 26, said he was at the gas station putting air in the tires of his bicycle when a male asked the victim for a ride in the victim’s car.

While giving the suspect a ride, the suspect reportedly pulled out a handgun and ordered the victim and a friend of his who was riding along to get out of the car and leave their cellphones behind. The suspect got in the driver’s seat and left.

Rally for jobs

BOARDMAN

Labor and politically progressive groups will have a rally at 11 a.m. Saturday outside 476 Boardman-Canfield Road in Boardman urging President Donald Trump to bring good jobs back to this country.

Leading the rally will be ex-state Sen. Nina Turner of Cleveland, president of Our Revolution, a group started by U.S. Sen. Bernie Sanders, an independent from Vermont, after his unsuccessful Democratic presidential bid last year.