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Niles Times

Specialty Pipe VP Granato retires

The Niles Times MINERAL RIDGE — Specialty Pipe & Tube Inc. which has a local plant, has announced the retirement of longtime employee and vice president Ron Granato. Specialty Pipe is the nation’s leading distributor of large-diameter, heavy-wall carbon steel pipe and mechanical tubing. The company, which also has an office in Houston, supplies products to pipe and tube distributors, machine shops, companies in the oil and gas industry and makers of hydraulic cylinders, among others. “For his nearly 50 years here at Specialty, Ron was always a true professional,” said ...

No competency hearing for LaRosa

The Niles Times WARREN — Defense attorneys for a Niles teenager charged with the aggravated murder, aggravated burglary, aggravated robbery and attempted rape of an elderly neighbor withdrew a motion requesting a competency hearing. A pre-trial for defendant Jacob LaRosa, who just turned 18, is set 11 a.m. Sept. 22. Assistant Trumbull County Prosecutor Chris Becker said the state of Ohio considers all defendants competent to stand trial unless proven otherwise. Efforts to reach defense attorney Matthew Pentz were not successful. LaRosa, who was 15 at the time of the crime, is ...

BBC looks at Niles, hot dog

B NILES — If you’ve ever been to a baseball game, or any sporting event for that matter, you may have enjoyed a hot dog or two while watching the game. Or, you might just enjoy the occasional hot dog. The creation of the hot dog is credited to Harry Stevens, inventor, concessionaire and avid baseball fan. Stevens, who was originally from Derby, England and immigrated to Niles in the 1880s, is the reason why the British Broadcasting Corporation has reached out to members of the Niles Historical Society and local newspapers. “I’ve recently filmed a piece in Derby about his ...

Fiscal plan passes; tensions flare

NILES — The city is operating under a new fiscal plan and its finances have seen “significant improvement,” and a promising five-year forecast, said the chair of the Niles Financial Planning and Supervision Committee during a Thursday meeting. “There is an increase in balance each year — that’s a good sign,” said Chairman Quentin Potter. The city has to have a positive five-year forecast before it can be released from fiscal emergency by Ohio Auditor Dave Yost. The city was placed in fiscal emergency in 2014 with several funds operating at a deficit. The meeting ...

History showcase highlights heritage

NILES — Local history will be showcased at the annual Niles Heritage Day noon to 5 p.m. Saturday on the grounds of the Ward Thomas House Museum, 503 Brown St. The theme is “Remembering our Past, Living in the Present, Embracing our Future.” David Rosine, chairman of the committee planning the event, said the day will include displays and demonstrations by local crafters, vendors and artisans, including the Dragon Guild, which was started by local youth in the community who do artwork. “Many groups that took part in the Warren Art Hop are planning to be part of Heritage ...

State finds paycheck problems

NILES — After conducting a special audit and investigation, the Ohio Auditor found the city underpaid — by more than a quarter of a million dollars — six current and former employees who retired and then were rehired. A letter addressed to Niles Mayor Tom Scarnecchia from Ohio Auditor Dave Yost and Randall E. Turner, deputy director of the public integrity assurance team, states the city overpaid six employees as well, but by less than $20,000. “During the course of the investigation, we received allegations that several city of Niles retire/rehires had been overpaid due to ...