WARREN, Ohio (WYTV) – Warren Police are investigating a shooting on the city’s southwest side Wednesday night that left one man injured, according to a police report.

The report states that a nurse from Trumbull Memorial Hospital called police in reference to a male with a gunshot wound to the inner thigh.

The man said that he was wrestling with another man that he knew, near the intersection of Jefferson Ave. Southwest and York Ave. Southwest, as part of an argument over “typical ‘he said, she said’ stuff,” according to the report. The man then pulled out a pistol and shot him in the leg, the injured man told police.

YOUNGSTOWN, Ohio (WYTV) – A jury convicted a Liberty man Thursday after he was arrested in May 2014, charged with making prank phone calls and impersonating a police officer.

The jury convicted Eric Brazina on 9 counts in all: Four of telecommunications harassment, four of impersonating a police officer, and one of disrupting a public service

Brazina’s sentencing will be held at a later date.

Police said he made a number of calls to the Sheriff’s Office trying to lure a female deputy away from the jail. The corrections officer then went to her supervisors to report it.

“They remembered that this individual was in our jail before for the same type of crimes and the photograph was shown to the deputy. The deputy immediately recognized the person as an ex-inmate and through interviews we realized this was our suspect,” said Mahoning County Sheriff Jerry Greene.

In March of 2014, Brazina pleaded guilty to seven counts of telecommunications harassment and was sentenced to five years of probation for making crank calls to a bank branch and a law office in Boardman.

“And he was making threats he was going to harm somebody if they didn’t perform various acts upon themselves and co-workers,” said Mahoning County Assistant Prosecutor Nick Brevetta.

Court records show Brazina was ordered not to use any type of cellular device as part of his probation.

“It sounds to me like this individual basically has a sickness with this, or a fetish with this. I don’t know whether you want to call him a serial harasser, but that seems to be his M.O. and what he likes to do,” Greene said.

Police said Brazina confessed to calling the deputy when he was arrested.

“He basically expressed that he did not like this female officer and he wanted to intimidate her,” Greene said.

WARREN, Ohio (WYTV) – The owner of a large apartment building in Warren is forcing out all of her tenants, WKBN learned Thursday after the family of one of those residents emailed our station.

Ronald Toth is just one of nearly two dozen tenants of the Reeves Apartments who is looking for a new home. According to county records, needed repairs that Toth has noticed may not be the only reason the owner sent out letters evicting everyone.

The building is up for grabs at the Trumbull County Sheriff’s sale October 1, and the owner is behind on her taxes to the tune of $60,000.

Residents say they’re being left out in the cold.

“She could have been a little bit more forward with us, let us know what was going on. But she acted like it was none of our business,” resident Carroll Rotzel said.

The building is owned by Elaine Crane. WYTV left a message for Crane at another business she owns in Painsville but received no response.

Crane is a former municipal court judge who lost her law license after a federal conviction for tax evasion in 1986. At least one local attorney said that the way Crane is handling the eviction is wrong.

“The landlord cant simply say it’s time to go,” Justin Markota with Canfield law firm Betras, Kopp & Harshman said. “They have rights and their rights are protected.”

Markota said there are court hearings and a formal process that has to be followed before someone can be evicted from their home. For now, tenants say they’re staying put.

“Maybe the new owner might have some mercy and let the tenants who are here live here,” Toth said.

YOUNGSTOWN, Ohio (WYTV) – Youngstown Vice Squad officers will be talking with federal authorities about pursuing drug charges following a raid Wednesday night on the city’s south side.

Thursday morning, police showed off what was seized.

“We recovered 100-grams of heroin, over $24 thousand in cash, a gun,” says Lt Gerald Slattery with the Youngstown Police Department. “Also some cocaine. About an ounce of cocaine.”

We’re told the raid followed a number of complaints from neighbors about drug activity in the area, prompting officers to get a warrant to search the house.

So what happens to the ill-gotten goods? “After the case is disposed of, we will go for a forfeiture specification,” says Slattery. “And that money will be returned to the police department. Usually it will go into a law enforcement fund, you know, for general purposes.”

Police say the heroin alone was worth about $15 thousand on the streets.

NILES, Ohio (WYTV) – More money problems for the city of Niles. City leaders are trying to figure out how to move money from other sources into the general fund to pay police officers and firefighters.

Mayor Ralph Infante says a majority of the problem is overtime costs. In those two departments alone, it’s more than $190,000 through the end of August. That money was not allocated in the budget.

Mayor Infante says, “We’ve been trying to cut in other departments to save money in general fund departments to keep the police and fire working so we can transfer that money over.”

At the fire department, they say their overtime costs are high because they’re working with a minimum staff. Plus, a few people were on sick leave for an extended period of time.

Mayor Infante says he reached out to the police and fire unions to see if they could come up with a compromise. “Asking them to talk to the membership, get back to me this week. See if we can eliminate some of the sell-back of vacations and the overtime and defer minimum manning at least for the rest of this year.”

Quentin Porter with the Niles Planning Supervision Commission says that firefighters are going to be paid, however there are longer term fiscal issues in Niles that need to be resolved. That resolution could come at the ballot box in November. Says Mayor Infante, “The key… is we have to have a quarter percent increase in our general fund income tax, there’s no doubt about it.”

The city has been making cuts, reducing the initial estimated $1.3 million deficit to around $980,000.

WARREN, Ohio (WYTV) – Just sitting in the driver’s seat of your car at a stop sign can be dangerous, apparently.

A Warren woman tells city police she was at the intersection of Tod Avenue and Riverview NW Wednesday afternoon when a woman she knows walked up to her and repeatedly punched her in the face. The police officer taking the report observed no visible marks from that alleged beating.

Haley Miller, 19, also took the opportunity to report her car had been stolen a week earlier. She was told to consult the prosecutor’s office if she wished to file an assault charge.

COLUMBUS, Ohio (WYTV) – The Ohio Supreme Court has unanimously ordered the Mahoning County Board of Elections to place the Youngstown anti-fracking charter amendment back onto the November ballot.

The city of Youngstown filed to get the “Community Bill of Rights” back in the hands of city voters after the Board of Elections believed they could not certify it because it was unconstitutional. The high court ruled that an elections board cannot determine the constitutionality of a ballot measure’s terms.

The city was successful despite briefs filed in the case by the Regional Chamber of Commerce, the Ohio Oil and Gas Association and other trades and union organizations. Mayor John McNally said at the time that voters should have the opportunity to weigh in on the proposal despite its being defeated in four previous efforts.

AUSTINTOWN TWP, Ohio (WYTV) – One year ago Thursday, “Hollywood Gaming at Mahoning Valley Race Course” on Route 46 in Austintown opened for the first time. The horse track opened a few months later.

Hollywood Gaming celebrated Thursday night, giving away $30,000.

It’s been quite a year. Through the end of August according to the state, net winnings of nearly $83 million have been paid out at the local racino. That’s on 587 million in credits played.

As part of the celebration, there’s cake and live entertainment through Saturday night.

BOARDMAN TWP, Ohio (WYTV) – At Primanti Brothers, you can’t get fries with that. Just ON it.

The Pittsburgh-based restaurant chain that puts the side dishes right on the sandwich is opening in Boardman on Friday. But there’s already a line to get in.

Those people spending the night standing outside hope to win in the “Free Food for a Year” promotion. The first 100 in the door Friday will get one free signature sandwich each week.

The crowd started gathering at 3 p.m. Thursday afternoon, lawn chairs in tow.

Jerome Varga was at the front of the line with family members. “I’m number one so I think I’m going to get this,” says Varga. “But just a year’s worth of good food and spending time with the family. That’s about it.”

Stella Economos could have had that front row seat. “I got here first and I decided well, I better go over to McDonald’s and get an ice cold drink and come back here. And when I came back here, he was the first one.”

The restaurant was open Thursday night for training.

YOUNGSTOWN, Ohio (WYTV) – The union representing teachers in the Youngstown City School District held a public meeting at the McGuffey Elementary School on South Schenley Avenue Thursday evening. About 100 parents, students and neighbors attended.

The goal was to learn and discuss the impact of a CEO taking over the district. Many came ready with questions and concerns, like Anita Davis of Youngstown. “Will we know who the CEO is going to be? What is his knowledge of our community and what is his knowledge of education in general?” asks Davis.

State Senator Joe Schiavoni says he’s coming up with an alternative plan to present to lawmakers, with local input. Schiavoni told the crowd, “House Bill 70 did not include educators or parents or community members in the decisions or in the planning. And we know ultimately those are the three parties that care the most about our kids and know the most about our children.”

School Board President Brenda Kimble believes there won’t be a takeover. “I’m very confident. But I’m very dedicated as well. I couldn’t walk around here saying I’m not confident when I’m fighting to save our public system and our children. I’m confident we’ll be OK.”

These women agree the district needs help but a CEO takeover isn’t the right approach. “Enough is enough with people who are outside of our district who don’t know our children and their unique needs and their unique problems and their unique strengths and having a say in ultimate decisions that will affect them and their future success. We want to give power back to the important stakeholders in our children’s lives.”

Meantime, the Board of Education met in executive session to consider legal advice with their pending lawsuit against the state. A hearing on an injunction request is set for September 29.

YOUNGSTOWN, Ohio (WYTV) – The annual Our Lady of Mount Carmel Festival means food and fun in downtown Youngstown each summer. It also supports the historic church and the faithful there.

Thursday night, festival chairman Frank Frattaroli handed a check for $57,000 to pastor Msgr. Michael Cariglio. That’s a 40% increase from last year.

WYTV 33 was a sponsor of this year’s festival.

33 and Hometown Pharmacy are proud to announce a new initiative that highlights local schools and groups during WYTV 33 News Daybreak with Len Rome and Jim Loboy.

Thank you Mrs. Wilson, kindergarten teacher at Lakeview Elementary for inviting us to your classroom!

NILES, Ohio (WYTV) – The Eastwood Mall welcomes the opening of a new gaming center.

Tilt Studio is more than just an arcade, according to Nancy Roggio, vice president of marketing. She said the staff offers stress-free birthday parties with a dedicated party host that helps decorate cupcakes and performs magic tricks.

“Our trademark tagline is fun at full blast, and that is exactly what you are going to get,” Roggio said. “When you walk in, you are blasted with so many choices you won’t know where to start. It will take several visits to do it all.”

Roggio says the overall goal is to have fun and help others do the same.

Birthday registration and more information on the center can be found on their website.

YOUNGSTOWN, Ohio (WYTV) – Volunteers from the Home Depot in Boardman headed out to make a difference Friday.

While the volunteers work at the Home Depot in Boardman, they’re part of a larger cause, the Home Depot Foundation that supports community improvement opportunities. Friday, the McGuffey Center in Youngstown received a Community Impact Grant from the foundation.

“The things we are doing here at McGuffey Center and our plans for the future will include brightening up the place, lightening it up to cause it to look good for the community to come in and do more programming and community events,” said Reverend Willie Peterson, interim executive director, McGuffey Center.

The Home Depot Foundation also helps veterans in need. More information on Community Impact Grants is located on the foundations website.

YOUNGSTOWN, Ohio (WYTV) – The lawyer for a North Lima man charged with disseminating child porn will return to court late next month.

Mark Lucicosky was indicted earlier this year on more than a dozen counts of pandering obscenity involving a minor.

In January, local police and agents with the Ohio Crimes Against Children Unit raided his home on Woodworth Road, seizing computers and equipment.

Friday, Lucicosky’s attorney asked a judge to keep evidence found on the computers out of court. A hearing on that issue will be held in about a month.

The lawyer for a North Lima man charged with disseminating child porn will return to court late next month.

Mark Lucicosky was indicted earlier this year on more than a dozen counts of pandering obscenity involving a minor.

In January, local police and agents with Ohio’s Crimes Against Children Unit raided his home on Woodworth Road, seizing computers and equipment.

Lucicosky’s attorney asked a judge to keep evidence found on the computers out of court. A hearing on that issue will be held in about a month.

If you are viewing this on the WYTV app, you can view Photos: Soft cheese recall on WYTV.com.

YOUNGSTOWN, Ohio (WYTV) – Elevated levels of potentially harmful chemicals have been found in the water supply for the Youngstown water district, but do not pose a significant health risk to customers, Youngstown Water Division Chief Engineer Gene Leson confirmed to WKBN Friday

Leson said his department sent out letters to customers in the Youngstown water district Thursday alerting them to the heightened levels. Several customers have been calling WKBN Friday asking what the letters mean.

According to Leson, the levels do not pose any kind of major health risk, and the water is safe to drink.

The Youngstown water district includes Youngstown, Austintown, Canfield, Liberty and parts of Boardman.

Leson said that the Mahoning Valley Sanitary District found the elevated levels of trihalomethanes during scheduled quarterly testing. The Youngstown Water Division sent the letters to customers since they sell the water, Leson said.

Leson said that in his 32 years with the division, this is the first time he has had to send out a letter warning of any kind of contamination.

Anthony Vigorito, chief engineer of the MVSD, said the levels are typically higher during warm weather. Adjustments were made at the water treatment plant and levels are already reduced.

Vigorito said the water is safe for consumption and if customers have any concerns, a simple Brita-type water filter would remove 99 percent of trihalomethanes from the water, but is not necessary.

BERLIN TOWNSHIP, Ohio (WYTV) – Two boxers were taken from a home on Western Reserve Road in Berlin Township Thursday after police were called the house about the animals.

When officers arrived, one of the dogs was in the street. Deputy Dog Warden Dave Nelson said he heard choking noises coming from the backyard and that’s where he found the other dog.

“Both chains were across or tethering across and tied around the dog’s throat,” Nelson said. “I held him to try to get a knife to get them cut off of them.”

Nelson said he believes the dog was literally strangling itself and may have only been minutes from dying.

“I could see his eyes were extremely bloodshot. That puppy had actually passed out in the back of the van,” Nelson said.

The dogs were taken to the Mahoning County Dog Pound where workers there immediately recognized they were malnourished.

“The veterinarian examined the dog. He actually determined the age to be close to eleven months old and that his development had been stunted due to lack of nutrition and food,” said Rich Tunison, dog warden and kennel manager.

The dog that was tethered was extremely thin with his hip points and spine were clearly visible. There was also swelling on its throat where it had been tied.

Animal cruelty charges are pending against the owner.

WARREN, Ohio (WYTV) – Dozens of people gathered in Warren Friday to observe P.O.W. – M.I.A. Recognition day.

It was a somber ceremony in remembrance of the more than 60 service members from Trumbull County who made the supreme sacrifice in Vietnam and during Operation Iraqi Freedom.

“It is moving to see people walk up and place a rose upon our monument in represent, in caring about the ones that have passed on. We think of them quite often,” said Gary Gutelius, U.S. Army veteran.

This was the first time U.S. Navy veteran James Kane attended the service. He took care of hundreds of Marines, some of them seriously injured, during his time as a hospital corps man for the United States Navy during Vietnam.

“It was honorable for everybody that came. I felt it,” Kane said. “You think about it every day. It never goes away. You always have time to think of what people gave to protect our county.”

One by one the names were read and a rose was laid to honor the fallen.

“The saying is if we speak their names, they will survive forever,” Brothers said.

YOUNGSTOWN, Ohio (WYTV) – Hundreds of empty houses have been torn down in Youngstown, all in an effort to fight blight.

However, all that demolition is creating a new issue for residents.

Atkinson, Dudley and Vittorio are just a few of the streets in Youngstown that are falling into disrepair. People dump piles of garbage on the streets, and potholes are starting to pop up.

It’s leading the city to talk about abandoning the roads altogether.

“Physically we would just put barriers up right now. Eventually nature would take over, and some of it has started actually,” Youngstown Public Works Director Chuck Shasho said.

It’s not an overnight process. Besides making sure water mains and electric grids are still connected, there would be a legal process to abandoning the roads completely.

“We would have to go through a petition to vacate and the city would give up the right of way to the adjoining property owners,” Shasho said.

At least one councilwoman likes the idea.

“As long as nobody is living there, or has to move out of of their house,”  First Ward Councilwoman Annie Gillam said.

John Horvath lives in the last house on his street. By his estimation, he’s got 40 acres of vacant land beyond.

“I think that’s a good idea. It’s better than us trying to have the street department come and clean it up, because they do,” Horvath said.