Metro digest || Man pleads guilty to aggravated assault

Man pleads guilty to aggravated assault

WARREN — Kenneth Rowles, 52, of Warren Township pleaded guilty to a reduced charge of aggravated assault for firing a rifle at two Warren teens after one of them vandalized a campaign sign in his front yard in October 2008.

The plea averted a trial set for Monday in Trumbull County Common Pleas Court. Rowles will be sentenced in four to six weeks after a pre-sentence investigation. He could get up to 18 months in prison.

Rowles was to be tried on a charge of felonious assault and could have faced up to eight years in prison.

Rowles, of Dover Street, called township police to his home to tell them about two young men in a sport-utility vehicle who had damaged his “McCain for President” sign, but he didn’t mention his rifle.

Rowles told police later that he fired three “warning shots” at the 16-year-old driver after the sign was damaged. Rowles was sitting on his front porch when the vandalism occurred. The boys said Rowles fired a shot that hit a 17-year-old passenger in the arm.

Rowles agreed to pay $790 in restitution to the owner of the SUV for damage caused by two gunshots that hit the vehicle, said Chris Becker, an assistant county prosecutor.

King celebration set

YOUNGTOWN — The annual Martin Luther King community celebration is planned.

A community worship service is scheduled for 3:30 p.m. Jan. 17 at Elizabeth Missionary Baptist Church, 1210 Himrod Ave.

Guest speaker will be the Rev. Amariah McIntosh, Interdenominational Ministerial Alliance of Youngstown and Vicinity. The Emancipation Choir will minster in song.

A community workshop in a town-hall format is scheduled from 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Jan. 18 at First Presbyterian Church, 201 Wick Ave.

Participants are encouraged to bring unwanted VCR tapes and DVDs that will be shared with veterans and nursing facilities and children’s group homes.

For information on events, contact the Rev. Lewis Macklin at Holy Trinity Missionary Baptist Church, (330) 788-1696.

Forum for candidates

YOUNGSTOWN — Candidates for president at Youngstown State University will speak in public forums during their upcoming visits to campus.

All the events will be at 4 p.m. in the YSU board of trustees meeting room on the first floor of Tod Hall.

The schedule shows:

UMonday: Aaron Podolefsky, president of the University of Central Missouri.

UJan. 19: Jack Maynard, provost and vice president for academic affairs at Indiana State University.

UJan. 21: Cheryl Norton, president of Southern Connecticut State University.

UJan. 26: Cynthia Anderson, vice president for student affairs, YSU.

Registration extended

YOUNGSTOWN — Eastern Gateway Community College is extending its registration period through Friday due to the inclement weather.

Although classes begin Monday, students may enroll for available classes through Friday without any penalty. The Valley Center is open 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday through Friday. The center is at 500 Gypsy Lane.

Online registration is available at www.egcc.edu for continuing and returning students. New students may apply online as well and then call (330) 884-0860 for information on advising sessions and free placement testing.

Classes offered by the college’s delivery partner, Lorain County Community College, start Jan. 19.

Woman’s cause of death

NEW CASTLE, Pa. — A woman who was found dead near a shallow creek in Shenango Township died of combined- drug intoxication, said the Lawrence County coroner.

Russell Noga announced the cause of death Friday after reviewing toxicology reports on Kristiana Wilkins, 40.

A Shenango Township police officer found her body about 5 p.m. Dec. 24 when he stopped to help the driver of a disabled tractor-trailer on County Line Road. She had been there at least 24 hours.

The investigation was turned over to the state police, who Noga said are still investigating the manner of her death.