Man gets at least 36 years in shooting
YOUNGSTOWN - A city man was sentenced Thursday to 36-to-life in prison for murdering a South Side man in 2011.
Donovan Miller, 26, was found guilty in December of aggravated murder and evidence tampering in the death of Quest Wagoner, 22, at 1139 Inverness Ave. Wagoner was shot once in the head and may have been asleep when he was killed on Sept. 22, 2011, according to police.
Prosecutors say Wagoner was killed in a dispute involving a drug deal.
YSU, Hope Center
offer free tax help
YOUNGSTOWN - Free income tax assistance is open to taxpayers Saturday at two sites in Youngstown.
The Mahoning Valley Hope Center will hold a free tax filing day from 9 to 5 p.m. Saturday for those who have incomes of less than $60,000. Tax counselors have been trained by the Ohio Benefits Bank. All returns can be e-filed free of charge. Direct deposit also is available.
Call 330-369-3010 for more information, or call 330-369-3010 or 330-418-6178 to schedule an appointment for tax filing.
At Youngstown State University, the Volunteer Income Tax Assistance program is offering the assistance of trained business students from the Lariccia School of Accounting and Finance and professional volunteers. Free electronic filing also will be available.
The income tax preparation will be held in computer labs from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday on the first floor of Williamson Hall, 221 N. Hazel St. For more information, call 330-941-3084.
Taxpayers should bring wage and earnings statements (W-2 forms) from all employers, interest statements from banks (1099 forms), a copy of last year's tax return, if available, and other relevant information about income and expenses.
Ex-boosters leader awaiting sentence
NILES - The former head of the Niles Frontliners Club is awaiting the completion of a presentencing investigation after pleaded guilty Jan. 24 to a fifth degree felony for the theft of $22,090 from the booster organization.
James A. Mullen III, 47, 2165 Coates Court, Girard, admitted taking money from the Frontliners Club, which is a booster organization for the Niles Red Dragons Football Team. Mullen wrote several checks payable to cash and made three electronic transfers between May 31 and July 23, 2012.
A judge will use the information of the presentencing investigation into his background to determine his sentence. Mullen has already made full restitution to the organization, prosecutors said.
Early-morning fire destroys vacant house
MECCA - Fire destroyed a vacant house at 2461 Giffith Drive early Thursday, officials reported.
Mecca fire Chief Curtis Woofter said the blaze was fully involved when firefighters arrived just after 1:30 a.m. Fire crews were called back around 8 a.m. when the fire rekindled, he said.
The house had been empty for almost a year, he said. No injuries were reported.
Woofter said the cause has not yet been determined, and that the State Fire Marshal's Office is investigating.
Woofter said he does not know whether Thursday's fire is connected to three sheds that burned in that area in recent weeks.
Tribune Chronicle