Missing man's body found in building
YOUNGSTOWN - The Mahoning County Coroner's Office says the body of a missing man found inside an abandoned South Side apartment building showed no signs of foul play.
A news release from the coroner's office states that Antonio Fusco, 40, was found about 8:40 p.m. Wednesday in the building, which is in the 800 block of East Indianola Avenue.
An autopsy by forensic pathologist Dr. Joseph Ohr showed no evidence of trauma or anything that would cause a natural death, according to a Coroner's Office news release. There was also no evidence of death due to hypothermia, the release states.
The release states an investigation is ongoing and Ohr is awaiting toxicology results.
Fusco was reported missing by family members on Dec. 27, the release states.
Eastwood Mall eel swallows shark in tank
NILES - Eastwood Mall closed its aquarium for a short period last week after an eel ate one of the sharks.
Joe Bell, director of corporate communication for the Cafaro Company, said on Thursday that the area was closed off to allow workers to clean the aquarium and to avoid causing anyone, especially small children, distress. The Cafaro Company owns the mall.
"Every so often, we have something like this happen when one of the predators will take a bite out of another creature," Bell said.
"We try to do our best to avoid mixing creatures that are more aggressive, but it's part of nature. We try to keep the animals well fed so they are full and satisfied, and something like this doesn't happen. Unfortunately, sometimes it does."
Flames break out in Youngstown apartment
YOUNGSTOWN - An unattended grease fire caused $6,000 damage to an East Side apartment Thursday morning.
Crews were called about 5:15 a.m. to 610 Kendis Circle. All tenants of the building were outside and smoke was coming from the first floor of the building, firefighters said.
The fire was contained to the kitchen. The occupant of the apartment told firefighters she put on grease to make french fries and fell asleep. She woke up to the smell of smoke and ran outside.
No one was injured.
Schools officer pleads guilty to sex charge
COLUMBUS - A former Ohio school resource police officer has pleaded guilty to a charge that he coerced sexual behavior from minors.
Evidence presented Thursday said the FBI discovered in July 2012 that Todd Smith was having an illicit relationship with a 15-year-old girl and that a second relationship with another 15-year-old girl was then discovered that involved Smith and the girl exchanging more than 6,000 texts.
Smith pleaded guilty Thursday in federal court in Columbus to one count of using a cell phone to entice two underage minors to engage in sexual activity.
A federal judge had called Smith's alleged actions "violence of the worst sort" last year after listening to a prosecutor and FBI agent read sexually graphic text messages Smith exchanged with the girls.
Agency combines offices to save $2M annually
COLUMBUS - A plan to consolidate 13 offices is expected to save Ohio's human services agency about $2 million annually.
The Department of Job and Family Services says the plan to minimize vacant office space will begin this spring and finish by year's end.
The department's director says that while moving to new locations might present challenges for some employees, the plan preserves jobs. Michael Colbert says the consolidation maintains the agency's statewide presence without affecting services to individuals or businesses.
Offices in Bridgeport, Canton, Dayton and Tiffin are among those with staff that will be sent elsewhere.
Staff, wire reports