Animal cruelty charge dismissed against man

Animal cruelty charge dismissed against man
YOUNGSTOWN -- Charges of animal cruelty and improper confinement of a vicious dog against Charles Hudson, 55, of Wilma Avenue were dismissed Thursday in municipal court.
Hudson pleaded no contest to failure to insure a vicious dog.
Judge Robert A. Douglas Jr. fined Hudson $50, sentenced him to 90 days in jail and suspended 87 days. The judge gave Hudson credit for three days he spent in jail.
The charges had been brought against Hudson by Dave Nelson, Animal Charity humane investigator. On May 11, police found a pit bull dog tied in Hudson's back yard with its mouth taped shut and without food or water.
Nelson said the dog's original owner took the dog back.
Nelson said members of Hudson's family, who have since moved to Georgia, taped the dog's mouth because its cry annoyed them.
Students are punishedfor vandalizing school
POLAND -- Six Poland Seminary High School seniors will be punished for vandalizing Poland Middle School with spray paint last month.
Superintendent Dr. Robert Zorn said the six boys admitted the vandalism shortly after graffiti was found on outer school walls May 23.
Zorn said it is a senior tradition to paint the silver bell in front of the middle school. However, these boys took it a step too far, Zorn said, painting graffiti on the south wall, rear walls and sidewalk.
Power washing and sandblasting costs totaled about $2,600.
Zorn said the boys avoided criminal arrests by paying for the costs. They also were suspended, will not be allowed to attend graduation ceremonies, and will complete community service projects over the summer.
Sexual assault probe
CAMPBELL -- Police are investigating a 12-year-old Bright Avenue boy accused of sexually assaulting a 6-year-old boy and 5-year-old girl.
According to police reports, the 6-year-old boy told his two 11-year-old brothers that he'd been assaulted Tuesday. One of the 11-year-old boys told his mother. He also told her that he'd witnessed the 12-year-old boy assaulting a 5-year-old girl behind a garage.
The girl was examined at Tod Children's Hospital Wednesday and was found to be uninjured.
Suspected marijuana
CAMPBELL -- Five bags of suspected marijuana were found on a 16-year-old boy in a Campbell Memorial High School restroom Wednesday afternoon.
According to police reports, a 14-year-old boy was also in the restroom. The 16-year-old told police the marijuana belonged to the younger boy.
The juvenile officer is investigating.
Grand opening delayed
YOUNGSTOWN -- A public grand opening for the new microbrewery and restaurant at the B & amp;O Station has been pushed to June 21. Today was the originally scheduled opening date, but a spokeswoman said there were a few complications that caused the delay. There will be a "soft" opening a few days before the grand opening, the spokeswoman said.
Bar pays fine
YOUNGSTOWN -- Shara Inc., doing business as Jay Jay's, 2844 Market St., had the option of a 10-day suspension of its liquor license or $1,000 fine, the penalty for underage sales, according to the Ohio Liquor Control Commission in Columbus. Erika Cruser Sowry at the OLC said today the fine was paid May 31. The South Side bar served alcohol to two underage patrons in February and failed to check identification, according to a press release.
Burglars take guns
YOUNGSTOWN -- Four shotguns and a .44-caliber "scatter gun" were taken during a burglary at a house in the 4400 block of Southern Boulevard between 11:45 p.m. Thursday and 2:45 a.m. today, the homeowner told police. The thief broke a front porch window to get in, police said.