Vehicle engulfed in flames after fatal crash
ELLSWORTH - One person was killed after his vehicle crashed into another and caught fire on U.S. Route 224 about 8:40 a.m. Monday.
The Ohio State Highway Patrol had not yet released the name of the deceased.
He was driving a 2004 Nissan Xterra west on Route 224 when he lost control on the ice and slushy roads, went left of center and collided with an eastbound 2011 Ford Super Duty pickup driven by Jeffrey Huss of Sugarcreek, according to the patrol.
Both vehicles went off the south side of the roadway into the ditch. They then caught fire, and the Xterra became engulfed in flames.
Huss was taken to St. Elizabeth Health Center with non-life-threatening injuries. The other driver was pronounced dead at the scene by the Mahoning County Coroner's Office.
The Ohio Department of Transportation said the portion of the highway was re-opened at noon.
The Ohio State Highway Patrol Canfield Post is investigating the accident. Sgt. Bret Henderson, who is handling the investigation, said the post received numerous calls Monday for crashes and cars sliding off the road.
Warren store clerk reports assault
WARREN - An employee inside the Hair Depot said she was assaulted Saturday afternoon by an irate customer who wanted to return a product.
According to police reports, officers were called to the business at 4443 Youngstown Road S.E. after a couple went into the store shortly after 4 p.m. The male and female customers became angry when they were asked for a receipt for the item they were returning.
The female then pushed several displays to the floor and damaged several shelves holding other products.
When a female employee followed the woman to the front door, she said she was hit in the head by the irate customer, who left with the man in a 2001 Chevrolet Impala.
Bristolville couple win $5,000 for nonprofits
CORTLAND - James and Connie Pierce of Bristolville were selected as winners in America's Farmers Grow Communities, sponsored by the Monsanto Fund.
A check presentation was held Monday at the Trumbull County Agriculture and Education Center in Cortland to the Pierces, who are farmers.
The Pierces said they plan to distribute two $2,500 donations to nonprofit organizations. They selected the Trumbull County 4-H Advisory Committee and Warren Family Mission.
Grow Communities gives farmers the opportunity to win a $2,500 donation for a local nonprofit organization. Trumbull was among counties that the U.S. Department of Agriculture declared disaster areas due to drought, which means winning farmers can double the donation.
Fugitive from Texas caught, escapes, caught
WARREN - A Bristolville woman was being held as a fugitive for authorities in Texas and on possible charges that she broke into a home near Trumbull Memorial Hospital after escaping from the facility Friday.
According to police reports, officers arrested Katherine R. Cox, 28, state Route 45, as a fugitive for police in Galveston, Texas, about 3:30 p.m. Friday. When officers here took her to Trumbull County Jail, she was turned away due to illness.
Officers then took her to Trumbull Memorial Hospital, from where she slipped away about two hours later. Officers said she was found soon under a bed in the basement of a home on Woodbine S.E., which was entered through an unlocked rear door.
Police did not say why she was wanted in Galveston.