METRO DIGEST: Assaults in Youngstown; drug arrest in Youngstown; lecture on shale and health

Man arrested in assault on couple

YOUNGSTOWNN

Police charged Justin Johnson, 33, no address given, with assault after a couple walking on Logan Avenue said they were accosted. According to police, Johnson tried to start a fight and bumped into them about 2 p.m. Sunday. The couple went into a store to get away from Johnson but he followed them in and out. The woman called 911 and when police arrived, they witnessed Johnson following the couple.

Johnson, who was speaking nonsense according to the police report, would not follow police instructions or respond to questions. Police also saw a bulge near the his waist under his hooded sweatshirt.

Johnson was taken to Mahoning County jail; no court date was set.

Assault reported at Meridian Services

YOUNGSTOWN

Cecil Barker, 45, of Glenwood Avenue was charged with assault after police responded to a call at Meridian Services on Glenwood Avenue about noon Sunday.

Police spoke to the victim, who said he was sitting in the computer area when Barker came up behind him and punched him. Staff witnessed the assault, police said.

Barker, who was found intoxicated, was taken to Mahoning County jail; a court date is pending.

Grove City man faces drug charges

YOUNGSTOWN

Police charged Jeffrey Lopez, 32, of Grove City, Pa., with possession of drug instruments and drug paraphernalia after a routine traffic stop about 8:30 p.m. Saturday at Gypsy Lane and Belmont Avenue.

Hypodermic needles were visible on the console. Police said they also found a plastic bag with two syringes and used heroin spoon.

Lopez was issued citations; the female driver received traffic citations.

Shale & public health

YOUNGSTOWN

Katie Huffling, R.N.,, director of Programs Alliance of Nurses for Healthy Environments, will lecture at 7 p.m. Wednesday on “Public Health Impacts of Shale Gas Development: The Role of Nurses” in Room 2000 of Moser Hall at Youngstown State University as part of the Fall Semester Speaker Series on Energy and the Environment.