Local Headlines
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Mahoning Engineer Candidate Behind on Taxes
The man who wants to be Mahoning County's next engineer has a problem with his taxes. Patrick Ginnetti won the local party's endorsement for next month's Democratic primary to succeed longtime Engineer Dick Marsico. But the Mahoning County Recorder's office confirmed Ginnetti owes the Internal Revenue Service nearly $28,000 in back taxes. The lien on his home in Struthers
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Mercer Food Warehouse Turning to Farmers for Help
Fresh produce is hard to come by for local food pantries. "It is definitely a challenge to continue to provide all the nutrition our clients need," said Traci Turner, executive director of the Grove City Community Food Pantry. "Fresh fruits and vegetables are one of those." But the Community Food Warehouse of Mercer County is trying to overcome this challenge
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TV Show "The Doctors" Tapes Champion Teen's Surgery
At age 19, Ian Barnes, of Champion, was told by his doctor that he was going blind. His mom refused to accept the news and found a procedure to treat the condition, and the popular medical show "The Doctors" captured the entire procedure. Just a few weeks ago, Ian, now a Geneva College student, had to hold his history book
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Youngstown Students Prep for Tests with Pep Rally
Getting students excited about upcoming statewide tests had Youngstown City Schools leaders and kids dancing, rapping and reciting poetry Wednesday. Cheerleaders helped kick off a pep rally at the board of education building. Select students from every school in the district were invited to learn about ways to go back to their schools and be ambassadors for the upcoming graduation
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Trumbull Native Serves Up Dishes as Chef in Antarctica
Antarctica is a far way from home for executive sous Chef Lou Sabella. But love and dedication are a part of the feeding process at McMurdo Station. "What we really try to focus on is trying to keep up and keep people happy," said Sabella. "Food is the biggest way we can do that around here." Nearly 1,200 people rely
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Superior Court Closes Jordan Brown Trial to Public
The murder trial for 14-year-old Jordan Brown, accused of killing his father's pregnant fiancee, will not be open to the public. The Wampum boy was just 11 when he allegedly killed Kenzie Houk, 26, and her unborn child Feb. 20, 2009. State law originally required Brown to be charged as an adult, but his attorneys convinced a Lawrence County judge
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OHSAA Looks At Public Vs. Private Football, Part 3
If you ask Catholic school coaches and athletic directors, the argument that private schools pluck the best talent from surrounding districts lost some of its luster when open enrollment entered into the equation for public schools in the Buckeye State. "It not only levels the playing field, but sometimes it gives some of these schools a great advantage with this
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Two More YSU Hazing Suspects Arrested
Two more suspects in the alleged hazing-related beating of two Youngstown State University students turned themselves in and appeared in court Wednesday. Michael Charles, 28, of Liberty, and Jerome Justice, 28, of Campbell, were arraigned Wednesday afternoon in Youngstown Municipal Court. They are charged with two counts each of felonious assault, and were both issued $50,000 bond. Charles and Justice
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Bowling Alley Owner Pleads in Child Sex Abuse Case
A former Mercer County bowling alley owner has entered no contest pleas to five counts of corruption of minors charges. James Kopan, 47, entered the plea in court Tuesday, and in return other charges of inappropriate contact were dropped. Kopan will be sentenced In April. Prosecutors allege Kopan had lewd and sexually inappropriate conduct with boys, including showing them pornography
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Alleged Rapist Arrested in Shenango Township
A man wanted for reportedly tying up and sexually assaulting a woman over a two-day period earlier this month in Shenango Township has been arrested. Douglas Pennachio, 48, of New Castle, was arrested shortly after midnight Wednesday when a New Castle Police Department officer saw him in a stopped car on Wallace Avenue. Reports state Pennachio jumped out of the
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Governor Signs Vicious Dog Law, Omits Pit Bulls
Pit bulls in Ohio will no longer be labeled as "vicious" dogs under a bill that has been signed into law by Gov. John Kasich. The governor on Tuesday signed the bill that changes a law defining a vicious dog as one that has seriously hurt or killed a person, killed another dog or is among those commonly known as
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Neighbor Alerts Family to Garage Fire
A father and son are safe after a fire in their garage on Beechwood Avenue in Girard. A neighbor noticed flames coming from the attached garage around 11:40 p.m. Tuesday, called for help and notified the family. Crews contained the flames to the garage, and damage is estimated at $10,000. No word yet on a cause.
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Gains, Macejko Battle Over Text Messages in Civil Case
Mahoning County Prosecutor Paul Gains has asked the Democratic Party to rescind its endorsement of his opponent in the March 6 primary based on comments he said were made by Youngstown City Prosecutor Jay Macejko about one of Macejko's employees. However, the attorney who released the documents, Scott Cochran, could be facing a contempt hearing over the release. Cochran represented
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Poland Officials Taking Time on Land Lease Decision
Poland officials continue to crawl forward with plans to lease land and mineral rights for oil and gas drilling in the village. On Tuesday, Poland Village Council voted to hire outside attorney Alan Wenger, of Harrington Hoppe and Mitchell, to comb through a 78-year-old legal document. A 1934 deed left by Grace Butler gives ownership of Poland Municipal Forest to
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ACTION Task Force Focused on Education
The ACTION educational task force wants to help parents organize to demand higher standards of education. Last month, task force members drew up areas that needed improvements and on Tuesday night, they focused on how they can organize parents. Parents, retired teachers, pastors, and even school board members all came together. Rev. Joseph Heard is the President of ACTION, which
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Candidate Seeks Betras' Removal from Elections Board
Mahoning County Commissioner candidate Richard "Oz" Ouzounian held a press conference Tuesday to talk about threatening text messages sent by Mahoning County Democratic Party Chairman David Betras. Oz released text messages that show Betras calling him a "loser" and a "fatty." Ouzounian also sent a letter to Secretary of State John Husted asking for Betras to be removed from the
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Liquor Permit Transfer Rejected for Warren Bar
The transfer of a liquor permit for a Warren bar where a man was murdered in October has been denied by the Division of Liquor Control. According to a statement released by the state Tuesday, an objection by Warren City Council was sustained and the application for transfer for Clancy's Pub from Michael and George Papalios to Yolanda Holmes was
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Truck Rolls Over in Northern Trumbull County
A truck overturned in northern Trumbull County Tuesday afternoon. A tractor trailer traveling north on State Route 45 rolled onto its side while attempting to make a right hand turn onto Flagg East Road in North Bloomfield. It happened just south of Orwell. The truck was carrying a 34,000-pound coil. Some of the vehicle's diesel fuel may have leaked out
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Free Flapjacks Help Fill Food Pantry Shelves
A church in North Jackson used a Mardi Gras tradition to help restock its food pantry on Tuesday. First Federated Church offered a free flapjack and sausage dinner in exchange for a can of food. Pancakes were served because in the past, they were associated with Fat Tuesday, which is the day before the fasting of Lent begins. The church
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Local Bank Celebrates Milestone Anniversary
Farmers National bank is celebrating its 125th anniversary of being in business. Branches of the bank thanked customers with banners, balloons and a birthday cake on Tuesday. Farmers was started in Canfield in 1877 by a group of Valley businessmen. On the first day in business, 125 years ago, the bank received $170 in deposits. Now, the company has 18
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Warren Shooting Victim Arrested Over Threats
A Warren man who was hospitalized last week after being shot in the back is now being held at the Trumbull County Jail without bond. Jeremiah Allen, 18, was arrested late Sunday after he was found in a car with a loaded gun. Police said Allen is accused of calling his former girlfriend's home earlier in the day and threatening
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Dog Found Shot in Chest, Dumped on East Side
A pit bull mix was reportedly found shot to death on Youngstown's East Side Tuesday morning. Humane agents with Animal Charity found the dog with a gunshot wound to its chest and covered in plastic near ESA Apartments on Kendis Circle. Agents believe the dog was shot somewhere else and dumped outside of the apartment complex. They can't say at
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Expert: Gas Prices Up Due to International Conflict
At the beginning of this week, the state's average for regular gas went up to $3.45 a gallon, which is about a dime higher than at that time last week. The increase came only days after Iran cut off oil shipments to Britain and France in a response to the tough sanctions against Iran over its nuclear program. Prices are
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OHSAA Looks At Public Vs. Private Football, Part 2
An Ohio High School Athletic Association committee in Columbus wants to handicap schools according to how much success they've had in the state tournament. But what would that mean for prestigious football programs such as Mooney and Ursuline here in the Valley? "People are just sick of seeing Ursuline and Mooney win," said Jim Vivo, head coach at East High School.
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Charge Filed Against Driver in Fuel Tanker Crash
A failure to control charge has been filed against the driver of a tanker that flipped last week, spilling thousands of gallons of fuel and tying up the downtown area for hours. According to Youngstown police reports, Wesley Gilbert, 57, of Mentor-on-the-Lake, was driving the tanker that rolled over along the ramp from Interstate 680 south to the Route 711