Tuesday, May 21, 2013
Man faces sex charges
WARREN
Bond was set at $150,000 for James L. Austin, 42, of 1335 Front Street Southwest, charged with rape, kidnapping and gross sexual imposition involving a mentally challenged young adult male who lived near Austin last August.
Austin pleaded innocent Monday in Trumbull County Common Pleas Court to the charges for which he was secretly indicted by a Trumbull County grand jury.
If convicted, Austin could get more than 20 years in prison. He returns to court Wednesday for a pretrial hearing before Judge W. Wyatt McKay.
Memorial race planned
Youngstown
The YMCA of Youngstown, 17 N. Champion St., will have its annual Memorial 5 and Memorial Outdoor Spin on Saturday.
The Memorial 5, a 5-mile race through downtown Youngstown and Mill Creek Park, will begin at 9 a.m. Cost is $15 for YMCA members and $18 for nonmembers, including registration and a race shirt. Race-day registration will be $20. A free kids’ race will begin at 8:30 a.m.
The Memorial Outdoor Spin is a stationary event that allows spinners to enjoy the spring weather beneath the event tent. Ride-time reservations still can be made for 7:45 a.m., 9:15 a.m. and 10:30 a.m. Cost is $12 for YMCA members and $18 for nonmembers. An event shirt will cost $17 for members and $22 for nonmembers.
Costs and times can be coordinated for individuals wishing to participate in both events. Registration forms are available at the Youngstown YMCA, Davis Family YMCA and Second Sole.
For information, contact Maureen Horvath, event coordinator, at 330-744-8411, or visit www.YoungstownYMCA.com.
Man gets 6 years for felonious assault
WARREN
Michael A. Fernandez, 50, of 790 Fourth St. SW, was sentenced to six years in prison Monday for the felonious assault and kidnapping of a 24-year-old Youngstown Road, Niles, woman.
His hearing was before Judge Peter Kontos of Trumbull County Common Pleas Court.
Warren police said Fernandez abducted a 24-year-old Youngstown Road, Niles, woman in Niles at 6:50 p.m. Nov. 26, 2012, and took her to a house at 2145 Brier St. SE in Warren, dragged her out of a car by her hair, threw her into the bedroom, held a knife to her throat and said, “You are going to make me money tonight.”
Fernandez then told a second man to watch her and kill her if she tried to leave, according to a Warren police report.
New dean at Kent
champion
Robert Sines, dean and chief administrative officer at Kent State University at Trumbull, has accepted the position as interim dean for the College of Applied Engineering, Sustainability and Technology at the Kent Campus effective immediately through June 2015.
“Robert is an excellent choice for this key leadership position,” said Todd A. Diacon, Kent State University provost and senior vice president for academic affairs. “He has faithfully served Kent State with a track record of success going back more than a quarter century, and his experience and guidance will be invaluable to the college and to the university as a whole.”
Recycling drive in New Middletown
New Middletown
An electronics recycling drive will take place from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. June 8 at the village municipal building. Computers, monitors, TVs, stereos, cellular phones, telephones, cameras, desktop computers, fax machines, printers, DVD players and VCRs will be accepted free of charge.
The drive is sponsored by the Village Council of New Middletown and the Mahoning County Green Team. For more information on devices that will be accepted, call 330-542-2846.
Sentenced for OVI
WARREN
Jeremiah D. Welker, 32, of 59 Larry Lane has been sentenced to 30 months in prison and ordered to serve a lifetime driver’s license suspension for being convicted his fourth time of operating a motor vehicle under the influence of alcohol or drugs.
Welker was arrested March 23, 2012, by a Cortland police officer. He also must pay an $800 fine. He received his sentence Monday from Judge Peter Kontos of Trumbull County Common Pleas Court.
Road closing
YOUNGSTOWN
Mill Creek MetroParks will be closing East Glacier Drive, Memorial Hill Drive, West Glacier Drive and Price Road from approximately 7 to 11 a.m. Saturday for the YMCA Memorial 5-Mile Run.