Taco Bell attack

Taco Bell attack
YOUNGSTOWN -- Stewart Jones, 43, of Knox Street, was in Mahoning County jail on Wednesday after being arraigned in municipal court a second degree felonious assault charge. Police said that on June 11 Jones attacked a man in the parking lot of Taco Bell on Fifth Avenue. His bond was set at $30,000.
Abbott Street fire
AUSTINTOWN -- A house fire caused extensive damage at 6955 Abbott St., a fire department report says. The were no injuries in the 6:52 p.m. Tuesday fire. The family wasn't home at the time, said Andy Frost, assistant fire chief. A neighbor who called in the fire went to the home and released the family's dog.
The department said the fire possibly started in the wall near the washer and dryer, where homeowner Dan Means had been soldering pipes. The fire caused $50,000 in damage to the house, and $15,000 damage to its contents.
Several traffic charges
CAMPBELL -- Police arrested Wilfredo Luciano, 42, of Memorial Circle on charges driving under the influence, resisting arrest, failure to stop after accident, and failure to control a vehicle. Luciano was charged at 10:15 p.m. Tuesday after police were dispatched to an accident on Coitsville Road. The driver of 1992 Chevrolet Silverado left the accident before the police arrived.
Police said they found the suspect near his home on Memorial Circle. After refusing to comply with police orders, Patrolman John Rusnak forced him to the ground, where he was arrested and taken to the station, police said. Luciano then refused a breath-alcohol test, police said. He was released on $6,500 bond.
Township fraud
BOARDMAN -- Police are investigating how a township credit card was used to pay for a hotel room in Egypt. A township employee reported Tuesday finding an unauthorized purchase on a township credit card. The employee discovered the $397 charge while checking the monthly statement. It was charged through Hotels.com to pay for a stay at a hotel in Egypt. The credit card was canceled.
Family fun day
VILLA MARIA, Pa. -- The public is invited to a family fun day from noon to 3 p.m. Aug. 6 at Villa Maria Community Center. The event will include a picnic lunch, nature walk, farm tour, games, crafts, labyrinth walk, story time and tours of Villa Maria Community Center. The day will end with a campfire sing-a-long and s'mores. Cost is $8 for adults and $5 for children 10 and younger. Registration is required by Monday. Contact Beth Siwula at (724) 964-8920, Ext. 3237 or bsiwula@humilityofmary.org.
Heroines recognized
NEW CASTLE, Pa. -- Four Lawrence County women will be recognized today for pulling a motorist from a burning car. Cara Scharbaugh of New Castle, Amy Walzer of Pulaski and Elissa Marti and Bethany Buchowski, both of New Wilmington, are to get letters of recognition from Pennsylvania State Police. The four women came upon a head-on crash July 31, 2005, on Pa. Route 19 in the county. One person was killed and the women helped the second driver to safety.
Child abuse plea
LISBON -- A Minerva man pleaded guilty to two felony charges of child abuse even though he said he had done nothing wrong.
William A. Stahler, 48, of Bayard Road, entered his pleas Wednesday before Judge C. Ashley Pike of Columbiana County Common Pleas Court. Stahler faces up to a year in prison on each of the fourth-degree felonies. He will be sentenced at a later date. The plea means Stahler will not be designated as a sexually oriented offender.
He had been indicted in 2004 on a charge of gross sexual imposition, a fourth-degree felony, and two counts of sexual battery, each a third-degree felony. Stahler was accused of repeatedly fondling two girls between early 2001 and early 2004. He has denied that accusation, however.
Warren ward meeting
WARREN -- Third Ward Councilman Andrew Barkley will conduct a ward meeting from 9 to 10 a.m. today at Garfield Elementary gymnasium, 2747 Montclair Ave.