Man faces accusations of hitting autistic teen

Man faces accusationsof hitting autistic teen
NILES -- A Howland man will be in court next week, accused of assaulting a 17-year-old autistic boy.
William K. Nicholson, 19, of Howland-Wilson Road S.E., is charged with a felony count of assault.
Police said Nicholson works for Better Living Now, a company contracted by Fairhaven to transport clients.
Someone called Fairhaven on Nov. 12 to allege seeing Nicholson punch the boy in the face in the parking lot behind a Youngstown-Warren Avenue store.
Nicholson also is accused of tying the boy's hands and feet.
Nicholson appeared in municipal court Wednesday. His preliminary hearing is Dec. 7.
Attempted robbery
NILES -- A 41-year-old city woman told police a man tried to rob her outside a North Main Street grocery store Wednesday afternoon.
The woman said the man sprayed her in the face with a chemical spray, demanding money.
She didn't have any money, so he tried to take her watch, but other shoppers interceded and he ran.
Drug raid at houseyields arrest of 2 men
WARREN -- Two men were arrested in a raid around 4 p.m. Wednesday at a house in the 600 block of Third Street. The raid netted 2.2 pounds of cocaine with a street value of about $165,000. Officials say more arrests are possible.
Participating in the investigation were officers from the city's narcotics unit, the Trumbull County Adult Probation Department and the federal Drug Enforcement Administration.
Police Chief John Mandopoulos said the several-month investigation criss-crossed the country. Arrested were a 20-year-old city man and a 28-year-old man from Moreno Valley, Calif.
Mandopoulos will seek federal prosecution.
The two men are accused of being distributors, not street-level pushers, the chief said.
Christmas tree lighting
HOWLAND -- Trustees will light the township's Christmas tree at Willow and East Market streets with the arrival of Santa Claus at 6 p.m. Sunday.
The event will include holiday music, a performance by the Howland Middle School Choir and free horse-drawn wagon rides starting at 4 p.m.
Children are encouraged to make ornaments to hang on the tree.
Holiday decorating event
WARREN -- Cub Scout Pack 11 from Christ Episcopal Church were to decorate the Christmas tree next to the log cabin near Courthouse Square this evening.
The boys, ranging in age from 8 to 11, were to meet at Park Hotel at 6 p.m. and begin decorating at 6:30.
The community's Christmas tree lighting ceremony will be Friday, beginning at 5 p.m.
Area school choirs will perform, and events include horse and carriage rides.
Niles police increasetraffic patrols for Dec.
NILES -- Police will conduct target enforcement during weekends in December.
Additional officers will patrol West Park Avenue and U.S. Route 422, focusing on speed, driving under the influence, aggressive driving and seat-belt and child-restraint violations.
The goal is to reduce the average speed by 5 mph in areas where speed violations are common.
The additional patrols are being funded through a state grant.
Blaze at residence
WARREN -- Firefighters are investigating a blaze that broke out about 3:30 this morning at 914 Hunter N.W.
Anissa Daniel, no age available, who lives at the residence, escaped unhurt.
Warren pilot reportsairport spotlighting
NEW CASTLE, Pa. -- James S. Szumianski of New Castle is charged with recklessly endangering another person.
Pennsylvania State Police accuse him of shining a spotlight on airplanes as they attempted to land at New Castle Airport.
A Warren, Ohio, pilot reported that his plane was spotlighted at 8:25 p.m. Oct. 21.