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Judges, lawmakers sworn into office Friday

WARREN — Eight local and state Democratic officials took the oath of office Friday afternoon during a ceremony in Trumbull County Common Pleas Court.

Eleventh District Court of Appeals Judge Cynthia Rice, Trumbull County Common Pleas Judges Ronald Rice and W. Wyatt McKay, and Girard Municipal Court Judge Jeff Adler presided over the ceremony.

Those sworn in included state Rep. Michael O’Brien, D-Warren, Trumbull County Auditor Adrian Biviano and Trumbull County Coroner Dr. Thomas James.

Fives judges, including two who are newly elected, also received the oath of office: Mary Jane Trapp, 11th District Court of Appeals; Ronald Rice, Sandra Stabile Harwood and Samuel Bluedorn, all Court of Common Pleas; and Martin Nosich, Trumbull County Eastern District Court.

Both Bluedorn and Nosich received their judge’s robes during the ceremony because they were newly elected in November. Rice received the oath from his wife, 11th District Court of Appeals Judge Cynthia Rice.

Trumbull County Commissioner Frank Fuda was sworn in Thursday.

U.S. Rep. Timothy J. Ryan, D-Howland, was to receive his oath during ceremonies in Washington, D.C.

Not able to attend were state Rep. Glenn Holmes, D-Girard, and Common Pleas Judge Andrew Logan.

In Mahoning County, Anthony Donofrio was sworn in as the newest judge for Mahoning County Common Pleas Court. He replaces Judge Lou D’Apolito, who retires Monday and could not seek the post again because of age limitations.

Donofrio, who had served as the assistant Mahoning County prosecutor, received the oath from his father, retired appeals court judge Joseph Donofrio.

And in Columbiana County, Megan Bickerton, assistant county prosecutor, took her oath of office Friday afternoon to become the county’s first female common pleas judge.

She defeated incumbent Judge Ashley Pike in the May primary to win the Republican nomination. She was unopposed in the November general election.

Bickerton had also served as assistant law director in East Liverpool and as village solicitor in Lisbon.

news@tribtoday.com

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