New autism program

New autism program

YOUNGSTOWN

The Rich Center for Autism will have a ribbon-cutting and open house at 11:15 a.m. today for its satellite location, The Chris M. Enrichment Center for Lifeskills. The Rich Center, through the Chris M. Enrichment Center, provides a transition program for junior-high and high-school students using Youngstown State University and the surrounding community as a laboratory. Through an in-kind donation from co-founders Dominic and Jacqueline Marchionda and funding from a 2014 auction event, The Chris M. center became reality. The Rich Center provides year-round therapy, education and support to 75 students at no cost to the families.

Court rejects appeal

WARREN

The 11th District Court of Appeals has rejected an appeal filed by attorneys for James Patterson, 27, of Youngstown, convicted in 2013 of several charges in the death of a 17-year-old Girard girl, who died after taking heroin Patterson sold her.

He was convicted of reckless homicide, two counts of corrupting a minor, two counts of trafficking in heroin and one count of tampering with evidence.

But the appeals court ordered Judge Ronald Rice of Trumbull County Common Pleas Court to resentence Patterson after agreeing with prosecutors that the judge erred in counting the two counts of heroin trafficking as if they were the same offense.

It could mean Patterson will get additional prison time added to his sentence.

Kidnapping charge

YOUNGSTOWN

Police arrested a 23-year-old city man Monday morning after a young woman said he held her against her will in a vehicle and threatened to kill her if she would not have sex with him.

Lester Walker is in the Mahoning County jail on charges of kidnapping and contributing to the delinquency of a minor. Police arrested him about 3:50 a.m. Monday outside a home in the 400 block of East Boston Avenue.

Police were called to the home for a kidnapping, and when they arrived they found Walker walking outside the house and took him into custody. He was arrested after police interviewed the young woman.

Instruments donated

CAMPBELL

Campbell City Schools have received more than $22,000 in musical instruments as a result of a donation drive, according to a news release from the district.

Campbell students have the option of joining band beginning in the fifth grade. A donation drive, announced earlier this fall, sought to benefit students who cannot afford to buy or rent instruments but still wish to participate in music programs.

Administrators thanked everyone who donated, including the Girard Band Boosters and an anonymous family that donated $15,000 in instruments.

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