Man facing menacing charge

By D.A. WILKINSON

wilkinson@vindy.com

COLUMBIANA

A man charged with aggravated menacing after a three-hour standoff will be back in court next week.

Brian Kyser, 36, of 40 Duquesne St., is to appear before Columbiana County Municipal Judge Carol A. Robb at 1 p.m. Tuesday.

The judge set Kyser’s bond at $25,000 during a video arraignment Tuesday. Kyser pleaded innocent to the misdemeanor charge.

Police Chief Tim Gladis said Kyser is accused of throwing his girlfriend’s purse out the door and then kicking the purse.

That led to words with a neighbor around 4 p.m. Monday. Gladis said Kyser went into his house, came back holding a rifle, then went inside, which started the standoff.

The county’s special response team was called out. Columbiana County Chief Deputy Allen Haueter said no shots were fired.

Kyser was taken to Salem Community Hospital for a mental examination to determine if he were competent, Gladis said. He was then booked at the county jail.

Kyser had been charged with drunken driving in 2000 and 2004. He has been working as a part-time custodian at Columbiana’s South Side School.

Superintendent Don Mook said Kyser had done good work at the school and he would have to talk to Kyser before taking any action on his employment.