Domestic violence

Domestic violence
GIRARD -- A township man who survived an attempt on his life in 1995 is now serving 131 days in the county jail after being convicted of domestic violence. Judge Michael Bernard sentenced Charles Serafino of Hubbard Township during a brief hearing Thursday in municipal court. Detective Michael Begeot of Hubbard Township said Serafino was accused of assaulting a female friend last July. In July 1995, Serafino was shot several times when two armed men forced their way into his home. Serafino survived but his mother, Ann, was killed. Four men were convicted of the crime.
Drugs found at school
COLUMBIANA -- Police released two Columbiana High School students to their parents after the students were found to possess a small amount of illegal drugs. Superintendent Patricia Hura said the students were suspended Thursday and are required to pass a drug screening test before they can return to school, she said. Columbiana police, Columbiana County Drug Task Force agents and two drug-sniffing dogs and their handlers searched the high school, middle school and parking lots Thursday, Police Chief John Krawchyk said. Hura would not say whether the students were boys or girls, or give their names, ages or grade levels.
Community center
SEBRING -- Mayor Daphne R. Cannell invites the public to attend the dedication of the F.A. Sebring Community Center and introduction of newly elected council members at 2 p.m. Feb. 17. The community center is at 306 W. Texas Ave. Refreshments will be served from 2 to 5 p.m.
ATM fraud sentence
MERCER, Pa. -- Judge Michael Wherry of Mercer County Common Pleas Court sentenced a Hermitage man to jail Thursday for using a stolen credit card to get money from an automated teller machine. Brian Matvey, 28, of Crawford Drive, Hermitage, will serve six to 12 months for access device fraud, a felony. He was also sentenced to 12 to 24 months for receiving stolen property, a misdemeanor. Matvey pleaded guilty to using a stolen credit card last April to get $460 from an ATM. He also was found about the same time in possession of a stolen television, videocassette recorder, stereo system and other items.
Fire at vacant house
NEW CASTLE, Pa. -- Firefighters are still trying to determine the cause of a blaze at a vacant house at 2922 Ellwood Road, Shenango Township. Don Roberts, assistant fire chief, said the Pennsylvania State Fire Marshal is still investigating the blaze, which started about 5:45 a.m. Thursday. The house, owned by Phillip M. Julian, was undergoing renovation, and firefighters think the blaze started in a stairwell, Roberts said. Roberts did not know where Julian lives. Firefighters had to close a portion of Ellwood Road for about three hours as five fire companies worked on putting out the flames.
Assault allegation
SHARON, Pa. -- Mark A. Hopson, 30, of Baldwin Avenue, was free on $20,000 bond today after his arrest on charges of simple and aggravated assault, making terroristic threats and recklessly endangering another person. Police said Hopson was arrested at his home around noon Wednesday after officers were called to the residence to investigate a reported stabbing. Police alleged Hopson got into a dispute with his girlfriend and struck her, then got a butcher knife and threatened to stab her.
Woman misses hearing
AUSTINTOWN -- A North Raccoon Road woman charged with child endangerment missed her scheduled hearing Thursday morning. Neda Brimhall, 22, was supposed to inform Mahoning County Juvenile Court officials of the progress of her parenting classes and treatment for alcoholism. She has until Monday to contact the court and explain her absence. If she does not, a warrant will be issued for her arrest. Police found Brimhall's 1-year-old son playing unsupervised on North Raccoon Road at 2:30 a.m. Sept. 9. They also found her 2-year-old daughter unattended on the road Oct. 11. Both children were said to be playing unsupervised on the road Nov. 25.
Theft at middle school
CANFIELD -- Police report that $112 was stolen from the purse of a Canfield Middle School teacher Wednesday afternoon. The police report says the money was taken between 1 p.m. and 3:30 p.m. from a purse stored in the teacher's desk drawer. Nothing else appeared to be missing. Two other school employees reported similar thefts Jan. 24. A purse was taken from under one employee's desk and a wallet was taken from the purse of another. The purse and wallet were later recovered in an upstairs restroom but had been emptied of cash.