Students back in class

Students back in class

NILES — Attendance at Niles McKinley High School returned to normal Thursday after more than half the student body stayed away Wednesday. “It’s nice to be back in the normal flow of things,” Principal Michael Notar said. “It’s much, much better.”

On Wednesday, 478 students were absent and 346 attended classes. The large absenteeism followed threats of violence that resulted in lockdowns of the school Monday and Tuesday. Although Notar didn’t have the actual attendance figures, he said nearly all the classrooms were filled Thursday.

Wife pleads innocent

BROOKFIELD — A 33-year-old woman has pleaded innocent to a charge in the stabbing her husband. Erica L. Frantz appeared Thursday in Trumbull County District Court on a charge of felonious assault. She is free on bond. According to a police report, she is accused of stabbing Steven J. Frantz, 31, in the arm Monday during an argument at their home at 6750 Warren-Sharon Road. He was treated at Sharon (Pa.) Regional Health System.

Drug-use trends survey

YOUNGSTOWN — Youngstown was included in a statewide drug-use trends survey for eight cities conducted January through June. The Ohio Substance Abuse Monitoring Network collected and analyzed data from active and recovering drug users, substance abuse treatment providers and law enforcement personnel. Researchers at Wright State University reviewed reports and compiled a summary.

The results here: High and increasing availability of crack cocaine, high availability of powdered cocaine, moderate and increasing availability of black tar heroin, high and stable availability of OxyContin, Vicodin and Percocet, moderate to low availability of benzodiazepines (depressants), low availability of methamphetamine, and low levels of buprenorphine (opioids).

Charged with DUI

BROOKFIELD — Robert Gardi, 18, of Collar-Price Road, Hubbard, is charged with drunken driving and child endangering after his car hit a truck. There were no injuries. Police said Gardi was driving his car containing his 15-year-old sister shortly after 7 p.m. Wednesday in front of the former Valley View store on Warren-Sharon Road when he turned in front of a FedEx truck. Police said Gardi left the scene but returned.

Dog bites mail carrier

YOUNGSTOWN — A mail carrier delivering to a house at 317 S. Forest Avenue told police he was attacked by a large, loose Rottweiler and knocked down Wednesday. Deputy Dog Warden Dave Nelson tranquilized the dog and removed the animal from the property. Nelson also removed a pit bull dog found in an enclosed pen without food or water on the property. A woman at the house refused to come to the door after the dogs were seized, police said. Nelson’s check with the dog warden’s office showed that no dog licenses are issued to the address. The mail carrier sought medical treatment.

Marijuana in treat bag

YOUNGSTOWN — A small bag of marijuana ended up in a bag of Halloween treats that were brought into Paul C. Bunn Elementary, police said. The bag was found lying on a desk in a classroom Wednesday. While a teacher was discussing the matter with police, a parent showed up and explained that the marijuana had accidentally been brought to the school. The parent told police she received a call from her brother’s friend — who had earlier been riding in her vehicle. The brother’s friend said that he dropped a bag of marijuana into her back seat, and that she should look in the bag. The parent said she went to the school office to notify officials so that no child would find the marijuana. The woman was released pending an investigation.

Back door kicked in

YOUNGSTOWN — An 82-year-old Shawnee Trail woman frightened by the excessive ringing of her doorbell didn’t answer the door and then heard a loud bang at her back door just past 8 p.m. Wednesday, police said. She found the back door of her West Side home open but didn’t see anyone and called police. The door had been kicked in, destroying the door, frame, locks and a portion of the wall.

Not his withdrawal

YOUNGSTOWN — A Niles man who was reviewing his checking account online Wednesday discovered $80 had been withdrawn Oct. 26. The withdrawal was made at Forum Health Northside Medical Center for four flu shots.