Prison for 7th DUI

Prison for 7th DUI
YOUNGSTOWN -- A Lowellville man is going to prison for his seventh driving-under-the-influence conviction. Kenneth S. Lupton, 44, of East Calla Road, was sentenced Friday by Judge R. Scott Krichbaum of Mahoning County Common Pleas Court to six months in prison, five years' probation and an $800 fine. The judge also suspended Lupton's driver's license for life. Lupton was stopped Sept. 5 by a Beaver Township police officer on state Route 164, court records show. Lupton's DUIs have occurred in the past 20 years.
Aquatics workshop
YOUNGSTOWN -- The Youngstown Jewish Community Center will have an aquatics workshop for children with disabilities from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. April 8 and 9 at the center, 505 Gypsy Lane. The program includes both water and classroom sessions and costs $65, which includes two meals.
Aside from teaching swimming and water safety to children with disabilities, the workshop's goals include improving the participants' individual social behavior skills.
Jim Beeson, director of the Collingwood Center Adapted Aquatics Program in Toledo, will present the workshop. His adapted aquatics program was rated ninth best in nation by the U.S. Water Fitness Association. Beeson specializes in work with autistic children.
For more information, contact the JCC at (330) 746-3250 Ext. 112.
Ambulance hits pole
YOUNGSTOWN -- A Life Fleet ambulance hit a utility pole on Elm Street at Madison Avenue around 10 a.m. Friday after being struck by a car, said Lt. William Rafferty. A witness told police that the ambulance had its lights and siren on as it traveled through the traffic light. No serious injuries were reported. Rafferty said the car's driver, Donald Holovatick, 21, of Youngstown, was cited for failure to yield.
Charged in robbery
BOARDMAN -- A Euclid Boulevard man faces a robbery charge, accused of fighting with a security guard at a Doral Drive discount store. Matthew Hodge, 27, was in Mahoning County Jail Friday and is expected to appear Tuesday in Mahoning County Court here. Police were called to Wal-Mart on Thursday evening on reports of a shoplifter fighting with a store employee and found Hodge being restrained by a security guard. He is accused of trying to steal DVDs.
Marijuana at school
LIBERTY -- Police have confiscated a small amount of marijuana found in the coat of a 15-year-old high school pupil at school Tuesday morning. According to police reports, the school resource officer found the drug when he searched the jacket, which had been left in the cafeteria. School officials recognized the jacket as belonging to the pupil, who acknowledged the jacket was his and said he was holding the marijuana for someone else. Police reports say school officers will handle discipline of the pupil.
Illegal mushrooms
GIRARD -- A 19-year-old city man will be back in court Wednesday to answer charges stemming from the growth of psilocybin mushrooms in his home. Police say the mushrooms are sold for their hallucinogenic effect.
David E. House, 19, of Belgrade Avenue, is charged with aggravated trafficking, misdemeanor drug paraphernalia and felony manufacture and cultivation of illegal drugs. He is free on $5,000 bond.
According to police reports, officers went to the Belgrade address after being told drug activity was taking place in the home. Reports said House gave officers a five-gallon bucket containing the mushrooms. Inside the home, officers found marijuana, scales and instructions for growing the mushrooms, and they confiscated a handgun and two switchblade knives, reports said.
Road will close for work
MINERAL RIDGE -- The intersection of Niles Carver Road and Belmont Avenue will be closed through Thursday while the CSX Railroad Company works on tracks. CSX will also be working on railroad tracks on Salt Springs Youngstown Road, also known as Old Salt Springs Road, closing that road beginning Thursday through April 7.
Brass performance
SHARON, Pa. -- The Youngstown Fine Arts Brass will perform at the Lenten Meditation Recital series Tuesday at St. John's Episcopal Church, 226 W. State St. Suzanne Lee will open the program with carillon music at noon, followed by the meditation and recital. The public is invited to attend. There is no charge. A light lunch will be served in the Parish House.