Fire probed as arson

Fire probed as arson

YOUNGSTOWN — Fire on Atkinson Avenue damaged four houses and destroyed atruck parked in a nearby driveway at 12:23 a.m. Sunday for $27,500 in total loss. Melissa Simione, 27, of 1614 Atkinson, where the fire started, was sent to St. Elizabeth Health Center and then the Akron Children’s Hospital burn unit. She is in serious condition. The fire is under investigation by the Youngstown Fire Department arson bureau.

The woman told the fire department that the house exploded when she went to light a cigarette on the kitchen stove. She fled the house and collapsed across the street, where the firefighters found her.

The fire department called Dominion East Ohio gas and Ohio Edison to cut service to houses at 1614 and 1610 Atkinson.

Route 304 reopening

HUBBARD — State Route 304, just east of the intersection of state Routes 62 and 7 in the city, was scheduled to open by 8 p.m. Monday. The road has been closed to through traffic for several weeks. Work done there is part of a $500,000 project to re-deck the Route 304 bridge over Mud Run Creek. The entire project is scheduled to be completed by September.

Online-school info

AUSTINTOWN — Ohio Connections Academy, an online charter school, will have an information session for prospective pupils and their families at 6:30 p.m. Wednesday at the Country Inn and Suites, 5570 Interstate Blvd.

The school has added 12th grade for the 2008-09 school year, completing its high school curriculum.

Enrolled families and academy teachers and administrators will attend the session.

State-certified teachers develop a personalized learning plan for each pupil, deliver instruction, evaluate assignments and work directly with the pupil via the phone and Internet.

Charged in store theft

BOARDMAN — A Washington Boulevard woman was charged with robbery, criminal trespass and possession of drug paraphernalia, accused of tussling with store security at a Doral Drive discount store.

The store security officer said he saw Amy Jo Heasley, 40, pick up a tent and windshield wipers from the Wal-Mart store shelves about 4:30 p.m. Friday and try to leave without paying.

The security officer said he tried to escort Heasley back to the store office and she pushed him. He tackled her and Heasley scratched his arm, he said. She had previously been ordered to stay away from the store. Police found a suspected crack pipe in the car that Heasley had driven to the store. Heasley was in the Mahoning County Jail, and her arraignment is set for today.

Cancer fundraiser

BROOKFIELD — On May 21, Judy Baker was diagnosed with breast cancer and her daughter, Rachel Baker, was diagnosed with acute lymphoblastic leukemia. On Sunday there will be a hair-cutting benefit to raise money on their behalf.

The cut-a-thon will start at noon and last until 4 p.m. Hair by Don II Co., 7120 Brookwood Drive, is the location of the event and where Judy is a stylist. Supporters can get their hair cut for $10 and can purchase tickets for a Chinese auction and 50/50 raffle. All proceeds will go to this mother and daughter.