Tuesday, April 24, 2001
Second womancharged in attack
SHARON, Pa. -- Police said they have charged a second woman in a beer bottle attack against a motorist on the Shenango Valley Freeway on April 8.
Luana Yount, 19, of Lincoln Street, Masury, was arraigned by District Justice James McMahon Wednesday on charges of aggravated assault, propulsion of missiles into an occupied vehicle, recklessly endangering another person, criminal mischief and criminal conspiracy.
She was released on her own recognizance.
Police said Yount is accused of throwing three beer bottles from a moving car at another car driven by a juvenile female as the two vehicles traveled on the freeway near Budd Street.
One of the bottles Yount threw shattered the driver's window of the other car, causing minor facial injuries to the driver, police said.
Nicole L. Costea, 19, of North Sharpsville Avenue, the driver of the car carrying Yount, was arrested April 17 on a warrant charging her with aggravated assault and criminal conspiracy.
She is also free on her own recognizance.
Police said the bottle-throwing was part on an ongoing dispute between Yount and the victim.
Theft reported
ELLWOOD CITY, Pa. -- Clothes, motorcycle equipment and other items valued at nearly $4,000 were taken from a truck parked on Clover Avenue. Police said the owner locked the Dodge 1500 Quad Cab pickup truck at 10 p.m. Sunday and discovered its contents missing at 6:45 a.m. Monday. Items taken include a Leopold rifle scope, leather vests and coats, a Harley Davidson pool stick and riding chaps and goggles. Police said it doesn't appear that the truck door was forced open.
Police probe cases
LISBON -- Police and Columbiana County deputy sheriffs are investigating a link between two cases of breaking and entering and an apparent arson last week. Lisbon Chief John "Buck" Higgins said police, over the weekend at a West Pine Street home, found a number of items stolen Wednesday and early Thursday from the Lisbon Lions Club cottage at Willow Grove Park on Logtown Road, Buckeye Beverage at 127 North Beaver Street and the McKinley Boy Scout Camp at 37748 Furnace Road. Alcohol and food from Buckeye Beverage, BB guns taken from the Boy Scout camp, and cookware, dishes and silverware taken from the Lions Club cottage were recovered at the home, Higgins said. Three juveniles and four adults are being investigated, Higgins said. A fire early Thursday damaged the Lions Club cottage.
Volunteer recognition
COLUMBIANA -- The project coordinator for the Licking County Youth Asset Building Initiative will be the featured speaker at Crestview Elementary School's volunteer recognition.
Kate Harkin, a graduate of Ohio State University, will address volunteers at 7 p.m. Wednesday in the school cafeteria.
The program, sponsored by CREW, Crestview Rebels Embracing Wellness, and BAT, Building Assets Together pilot program, is free and open to the public. For more information, call 482-5370.
Budget amendment
HARRISBURG -- The Pennsylvania House of Representatives adopted an amendment to the proposed 2001-02 state budget that would provide more funding to Pennsylvania's financially distressed school districts. The amendment, introduced by state Rep. Chris Sainato of New Castle, D-9th, would provide $1.3 million to the state's seven distressed school districts, including New Castle and Farrell area school districts. The five other school districts considered distressed in Pennsylvania are: Clairton, Duquesne, Steel Valley, Aliquippa and Monessen. The senate must agree to the budget amendments added in the house. The final budget will likely go to a conference committee, where the differences between the house and senate versions will be ironed out.
Truancy sweep
YOUNGSTOWN -- With the sunny weather Monday, city school officials suspected that some pupils skipped school to add a day to spring break.
So, the school district ran a truancy sweep and caught 22 youths on the streets.
The pupils were cited under the city's compulsory school attendance law, said Ted Terlesky, the school district's security chief.
The sweep is the fourth this school year.