Jesus essay lawsuit

Jesus essay lawsuit
WARREN -- A lawsuit contending that a 14-year-old Brookfield middle school pupil suffered psychological and emotional damage because he wasn't allowed to write an essay about Jesus has been refiled in Trumbull County Court of Common Pleas.
Atty. Mark Colucci, who represents plaintiff Peggy E. Koehler, of Hazleton Street, on behalf of her son Phillip M. Vaccaro, said he decided to move the case out of federal court because jurors in Trumbull County will be closer to the case.
Koehler's suit says the school refused to allow her son to write about Jesus as a homework assignment on the most influential person in his life.
Free on bond
NILES -- A Lafayette Avenue man is free on bond after pleading innocent in municipal court to accusations that he enticed a 6-year-old girl into his home.
William John Joyce III, 23, posted $2,000 bond. He is charged with contributing to the unruliness of a minor and interfering with custody. Trial is set for 9 a.m. Sept. 25.
According to reports, the girl's mother noticed her daughter missing from home after she put another child down for a nap. When she saw the child's wagon in a neighboring yard, she went and knocked on Joyce's door and saw her daughter inside.
The girl told police Joyce showed her the bedroom, kitchen and basement of the home, and that he was rubbing himself as they sat on the front porch.
The girl also told police Joyce touched her face and her hair while touching himself, though he never exposed himself.
Teachers contract
McDONALD -- The board of education will meet in special session at 7:15 a.m. Thursday to vote on a three-year contract with teachers.
A tentative agreement was reached Friday and members of McDonald Education Association, representing 52 teachers, approved the contract the same day.
Negotiators were to meet tonight with nonteaching employees. Treasurer Thomas Radabaugh said those contract talks are progressing.
Both contracts expire Saturday.
Annexation appeal
WARREN -- A judge in Trumbull County Common Pleas Court will be asked to overturn a decision by county commissioners rejecting an annexation request in Newton Township.
On Aug. 14, commissioners unanimously turned down a petition by Jerry Carleton and Gilbert Rieger, both Warren attorneys, to move Newton Falls boundaries to include 35 acres they own north of West Broad Street.
The land is part of a 50-acre parcel they intend to develop for a condominium complex.
Harding band night
WARREN -- Harding High School's annual band night is 7 p.m. Thursday in Mollenkopf Stadium.
Participating bands are Austintown, Champion, Salem, Brookfield, Liberty and Harding. Admission is $5. Children 5 and under are admitted free.
Warren man sentenced
WARREN -- A 37-year-old Warren man who pleaded guilty to an attempted sexual battery charge has been sentenced to 17 months in prison by Judge Peter Kontos in Trumbull County Common Pleas Court. Prosecutors said Tingler had sexual contact with a teenage girl he knows in December 1999.
Prison sentence
WARREN -- A Youngstown man was sentenced Monday to four years in prison after admitting burglarizing a Liberty Township home.
Bradley Park, 37, pleaded guilty in Trumbull County Common Pleas Court to a burglary charge.
Toys 'R' Us theft
NILES -- A 22-year-old Austintown woman is to appear for a preliminary hearing later this month on charges she took more than $12,000 from Toys "R" Us.
Sarah Winston of South Raccoon Road was released on $5,000 bond on the theft charge after her arraignment Monday in Niles Municipal Court.
Police say Winston, who worked at the toy store, was fraudulently ringing coupons through the register and pocketing the money. Reports said Winston, who was arrested Saturday afternoon at the store, admitting performing the transaction about four times a week for the past nine months.
Her next hearing is set for 9 a.m. Sept. 18.
Route 18 widening work
HERMITAGE, Pa. -- The Pa. Route 18 widening project will see some night work this week. The Pennsylvania Department of Transportation said motorists should be alert to work beginning at 9 p.m. and ending at 6:30 a.m. today through Friday. That will also mean Lamor Road will be closed at Route 18 tonight only.