Domestic violence charge

Domestic violence charge
YOUNGSTOWN -- Concerned neighbors on East Lucius Avenue called police Monday afternoon when they saw a young woman being punched in the face and choked in the front yard of 564 E. Lucius Ave. The resident, Dominic Sarno, 20, was arrested on charges of domestic violence and resisting arrest.
The victim told police that he punched her at least 30 times in the face, choked her with his hands after trying to use a phone cord to do it, spit on her and bit her lower lip. The woman said she and Sarno had split within the past week and she returned to the house Monday to retrieve her belongings when Sarno showed up and became enraged. Police said Sarno resisted arrest by throwing himself to the ground and trying to pull away.
Funds released to YSU
YOUNGSTOWN -- The State Controlling Board has released $86,000 to Youngstown State University for the expansion of the Harrison Athletic/Recreation Field and to increase parking space. The funds issued for university improvement projects were announced Monday by state officials.
Of the amount, $33,000 will be used to buy property on Adams Street to expand the athletic field, and $53,000 will be used to buy lots for parking on Custer Avenue, West Scott Street and Carlton Street.
The officials said the acquisitions will help YSU complete part of its master plan, which coincides with a broader redevelopment effort by the city.
Attempted rape charge
BOARDMAN -- A 54-year-old Michigan man has been charged with felony attempted rape, tampering with evidence and misdemeanor unauthorized use of a motor vehicle. According to police, John Michael Koss met a 25-year-old woman at a township restaurant Sunday and they later went to his room at the Residence Inn on Tiffany South.
Police said Koss did not allow the woman to leave the room and attempted to sexually assault her before taking her car without permission to return to the restaurant. Koss was due to appear in Boardman area court this morning.
Paving walkways
LOWELLVILLE -- The Recycling Division of Mahoning County has approved a $25,600 grant to the village to pave walkways at Pine Hollow Park and the new ball field complex. Mayor James Iudiciani Sr. said cost of the projects, which will use crumb-rubber asphalt, will be $32,000; the village will provide $6,400. Construction is expected to begin in July and be completed by September.
Volunteers for cleanup
YOUNGSTOWN -- The Youngstown Environmental Studies Society is looking for volunteers to help with a campus cleanup it's sponsoring from 3:30 to 4:30 p.m. Thursday.
Participants should meet outside the 127 Lincoln Ave. mailroom building on campus.
Gloves and bags will provided; participants are asked to bring brooms if possible.
Press Day at YSU
YOUNGSTOWN -- More than 600 students from 26 high schools will participate in Youngstown State University's Press Day on Monday, in Kilcawley Center at YSU.
Students from Mahoning, Trumbull, Columbiana, Portage and Summit counties in Ohio and Mercer and Lawrence counties in Pennsylvania are expected to attend the event, which will include 40 sessions on topics of interest to student journalists.
Featured presenters include Alfred Lubrano, a reporter for the Philadelphia Inquirer and a commentator with National Public Radio; and Seth Doane, anchor for Channel One.
Other speakers include newspaper, radio and television reporters from throughout Northeast Ohio conducting sessions on topics ranging from photojournalism to minorities in journalism.
For more information and to view a schedule of events, visit www.as.ysu.edu/~english/pd04/pd04.html.
Discussing vegetarianism
YOUNGSTOWN -- Registered dietitian Jack Norris will speak on vegetarian/vegan health and nutrition at 6 p.m. Thursday in the Ohio Room of Kilcawley Center at Youngstown State University.
Norris is co-founder and president of Vegan Outreach and the author of "Vitamin B12: Are You Getting It?," "Staying A Healthy Vegan," and "Making Sense of Nutrition Research."
His research-based discussion will cover the benefits and concerns of a vegetarian/vegan diet. For more information, contact Dan Kuzma at vegan200@hotmail.com or call (330) 793-2272.
Block Watch speaker
YOUNGSTOWN -- City Councilman Clarence Boles, D-6th, will speak at the Southern Boulevard Block Watch meeting at 7 p.m. Wednesday in St. Dominic Parish Center, 3403 Southern Blvd.