Crews battle brush fire

Crews battle brush fire
CHAMPION -- Firefighters think open burning caused a brush fire in a field off of Mahoning Avenue. The fire began around 1:25 p.m. Wednesday in the 6100 block of Mahoning and took about two hours to extinguish, reports state.
The township was assisted by firefighters from Bristol, Bazetta, Mecca, Southington and Warren townships. No injuries were reported.
Charge dismissed
NILES -- A kidnapping charge against a Linden Avenue woman has been dismissed and a felony charge of interfering with custody was reduced to a misdemeanor.
Rebecca L. Dunn, 35, was arrested at her home last week after she returned from Baltimore with two boys, 12 and 16, police reports say. A neighbor had told police that Dunn and the boys had gone to Maryland, without knowledge of their parents. The three did not return home until that evening.
The original kidnapping charge was dismissed Wednesday in Niles Municipal Court. The charge of interference with custody was reduced to a misdemeanor, and Dunn pleaded no contest.
She was fined $100 and ordered to pay costs. She also was given credit for the eight days she had served in jail.
Council will meet
WARREN -- City council will meet in a special session at 5 p.m. today. A regular meeting set for earlier this week was canceled because of Sept. 11 observances.
Because it is a special session, the meeting is limited to legislation. There will be no public comment session.
Bank robber sought
LIBERTY -- Township police and the FBI have released a photograph of a man they are seeking in Saturday's robbery of the Bank One branch on Belmont Avenue.
He is described as being white, age 50 to 55, 6 feet tall, 200 to 220 pounds and wearing a black leather cowboy hat, black leather jacket, black T-shirt with the words "Timberwolf Head" on the front.
He may be driving a white Dodge pickup truck with red lettering on the side.
Man pleads innocent
NILES -- A 34-year-old Youngstown man pleaded innocent Wednesday to six traffic charges in connection with spilling driveway sealer on a roadway and jumping into the Mahoning River.
David Hagens of Benita Avenue appeared in municipal court on charges of driving under the influence, driving under suspension, failure to control, leaving the scene of an accident, expired plates and having an unsafe vehicle. Trial is set for 10:30 a.m. Oct. 9.
A police accident report says Hagens was driving his truck north in the 500 block of South Main Street about 5 p.m. when he lost control and overturned the truck. About 500 gallons of sealer in a container spilled onto the road.
While talking with police, the report said, Hagens ran into nearby woods and jumped into the river. He was apprehended by police. City firefighters and street department cleaned up the road.