News

Harsher penalties sought in Ohio for repeat nonviolent felony convicts

Local News July 28, 2026

WARREN — A Trumbull County man, who has been arrested 69 times and imprisoned four times, is headed back to prison for another stretch behind bars for only two years following his July 14 sentencing. The sentence was the maximum allowed by Ohio law because Ohio has eliminated habitual criminal statutes and many repeat-offender escalation of penalties provisions during the long tenure of Trumbull County Prosecutor Dennis Watkins. Watkins has assigned Trumbull County First Assistant Prosecutor Christopher Becker and Chief of the Criminal Division Mike Burnett to propose legislation ...

Liberty school board OKs mental health contract

Latest News July 28, 2026

LIBERTY — Mental health is a growing problem among young adults, and on Monday, the Liberty Board of Education approved a contract allowing the district to continue to reach more students who may benefit from support. The board approved a contract with Canton-based HWS Best Health LLC, effective Aug. 1 through July 31, 2027, with an annual renewal as provided in the agreement. The contract will be paid through the district’s general fund. Superintendent Brian Knight said the district has The Red Zone and Cadence Care Network that work with children needing support, but the ...

Boardman teachers pact approved

Latest News July 28, 2026

BOARDMAN — The Boardman Board of Education during its regular meeting Monday unanimously approved a new three-year contract with the Boardman Education Association (BEA) that includes no raises in the base salary. The board also approved a two-year agreement with the Ohio Association of ...

Consumers’ watchdog opposes SOBE hikes

Latest News July 28, 2026

The Office of the Ohio Consumers’ Counsel has requested the Public Utilities Commission of Ohio revisit its decision to impose huge emergency rate hikes on SOBE Thermal Energy Systems LLC’s downtown Youngstown customers. The OCC filed a motion, on behalf of SOBE’s residential ...

Judge dismisses kidnapping charge

Latest News July 28, 2026

YOUNGSTOWN — Though prosecutors last week said Terrance A. “Andy” Machen, 35, of Youngstown, still faced one additional kidnapping charge in Youngstown Municipal Court, in addition to the two counts of kidnapping, two counts of felonious assault and one count of aggravated robbery he was indicted on three years ago, municipal court officials said Monday that is no longer true. Municipal court officials said Monday the additional kidnapping charge in municipal court is now dismissed, eliminating the need for a preliminary hearing in municipal court Monday. The reason it was ...

Ciccone fails to file routine finance reports

Latest News July 28, 2026

YOUNGSTOWN — The office of embattled Mahoning County Clerk of Courts Michael Ciccone failed to file routine monthly reconciliation reports for well over a year until county commissioners agreed to pay an accounting firm to do the job. Based on the recommendation of county Auditor Ralph Meacham, the commissioners voted April 28 to pay up to $25,000 to the Canfield accounting firm of Schroedel, Scullin & Bestic LLC to do the work. When SSB discovered how bad the situation was in the clerk of courts’ office, the commissioners on July 18 authorized an amended agreement for an estimated ...