Formal sentencing is set for Moonda

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Formal sentencing
is set for Moonda

AKRON — The Mercer County woman convicted in the murder for hire of her wealthy husband will be sentenced Sept. 21. Donna Moonda, 48, will appear before U.S. Federal Judge David Dowd at 1:30 p.m. to learn her sentence on three charges. Jurors in the monthlong trial in June found Moonda guilty of a fourth charge and recommended life in prison. She had faced the death penalty. She is being held in the Medina Count Jail as she awaits formal sentencing and being moved to the federal prison sentence. Jurors decided that Moonda and her lover, Damian Bradford, conspired to kill Dr. Gulam Moonda. Dr. Moonda was shot in the head by Bradford after his wife pulled to the side of the Ohio Turnpike on May 13, 2005. Bradford pleaded guilty to the shooting and became a witness for prosecutors in Moonda's trial. Bradford said Moonda hatched the plot to get her husband's millions. Bradford is serving 171/2 years in prison for his part in the shooting.

Bank robbed again

CAMPBELL — The National City Bank branch office at 403 Tenney Ave. was robbed of an unspecified amount of money at about 1:50 p.m. Friday, the second time this week that branch has been hit. The first robbery at the branch this week was at about 4:30 p.m. Tuesday. This time, however, an arrest was made. An off-duty police officer providing private security at the bank and two patrons tackled Donald Bevly, 48, after he demanded money. Police said Bevly, who has no address, is charged with aggravated robbery. During Tuesday's robbery, the suspect implied he had a gun, but no weapon was seen. Police arrested three other people who were waiting in a car about a block away. Their names were not released by police but each was charged with complicity to aggravated robbery.

Tippecanoe detour

CANFIELD — Tippecanoe Road, between Lockwood Boulevard and Shields Road, will be closed for two weeks for replacement of two culverts. Work will begin Monday and end Aug. 27, the Mahoning County Engineer's office announced. Traffic will be detoured along Lockwood and Shields.

Open enrollment set

NILES — Niles McKinley High School is registering new students at the school's main office from 8:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. Monday through Friday, except for Monday, Aug. 27. A parent or guardian must accompany the students with their birth certificate, proof of residence such as a rent receipt, a parent's driver's license, immunization records, student's Social Security card, documents from the previous school and custody documents if applicable. Students living outside the district can be accepted under open enrollment. Parents must first schedule a meeting at the school board offices by calling (330) 652-2509.

Sought in assault

GIRARD — City police are looking for a man accused of assaulting a female grocery store clerk after he became upset about a meat order Thursday evening. According to police reports, the 34-year-old clerk at Trumbull Party Mart on Trumbull Avenue was arguing with the man about the meat order when the man grabbed her and began hitting her in the chest. He left the store but returned with a trash can that he threw at the woman, breaking a cigarette display case. Reports say the man also spit in the woman's face.

New Castle names
assistant principal

NEW CASTLE, Pa. — The city school board has named Ralph J. Blundo the junior/senior high school assistant principal. Blundo, who has worked for the New Castle Area School District as a high school history teacher and basketball coach, will earn a base salary of $76,412 with annual increases of $1,500 plus a 1.75 percent yearly raise through the 2011-12 school year, school officials said. He also will be included in the administrators' benefit package. Aug. 17 will be Blundo's first day in his new role. Blundo, a 1991 graduate of New Castle High School, earned his bachelor's and master's degrees from Westminster College. He also received several teaching certificates from Westminister.

Saturday, August 11, 2007