Wed. 11:55 a.m.: Former Niles official pleads guilty

March 7, 2018

WARREN - The former auditor of Niles pleaded guilty this morning to three charges connected to his time in office. Charles Nader, 64, 525 Washington St., pleaded guilty in Trumbull County Common Pleas Court to a felony charge of theft in office, along with two misdemeanor counts of misrepresentation by a public employee. As part of a plea agreement, Nader promised to cooperate with prosecutors in their ongoing corruption case against former Niles Mayor Ralph Infante. Several other charges against Nader were dismissed. Nader is scheduled for sentencing on May 11. Infante is facing ...

Wed. 4:55 pm: Mercy Health begins merger process

February 21, 2018

WARREN - Mercy Health, which operates nearly two dozen medical facilities in Trumbull and Mahoning counties, including St. Joseph Warren Hospital, has begun the process of merging with Marriottsville, Md.-based Bon Secours Health System. "Today was the first step, an announcement of (our) intent to merge," said Maureen Richmond, senior director of integrated communications with Mercy Health. It's expected the agreement will be finalized by the end of 2018. Pending are approvals from the Federal Trade Commission and the Vatican. For more on this story, read Thursday's print edition of ...

Tue. 1:16 p.m.: LaRosa’s plea in murder averts trial; sentencing set for April

February 13, 2018

WARREN — The 18-year-old accused in the March 31, 2015, beating death and attempted rape of a 94-year-old Niles woman pleaded no contest this morning to four felony charges. He will be sentenced in April. Jacob LaRosa stood with his lawyers before Trumbull County Common Pleas Judge W. Wyatt ...

Fri. 10 a.m.: Austintown police search for early morning home invader

February 9, 2018

AUSTINTOWN — Three men are in custody and police are searching this morning for a fourth person involved in home invasion on North Beverly Avenue, near Mahoning Avenue. A police spokesman said four people broke into a house and stole things. A witness told Tribune Chronicle newspartner WKBN TV-27 that at about 4 a.m., the four people banged on and kicked the door. The invaders claimed to be police officers, and were holding rifles and duffle bags. Police were called about 4:30 a.m. Police said a full report will be available later today.

Wed. 12:15 p.m.: Train carrying GOP lawmakers hits truck

January 31, 2018

WASHINGTON — A chartered train carrying dozens of GOP lawmakers to a Republican retreat in West Virginia struck a garbage truck south of Charlottesville, Virginia on Wednesday, lawmakers said. No lawmakers were believed injured in the accident. "We're fine, but our train hit a garbage truck. Members with medical training are assisting the drivers of the truck," Rep. Greg Walden, R-Ore., wrote on Twitter. WKBN TV-27 News reports that Bill Johnson, R-Marietta, was among lawmakers on board but was uninjured. A GOP aide said the train is partially derailed. Oklahoma GOP Rep. Tom Cole ...

6:30 p.m. Sunday: Two Valley natives pick up early Grammys

January 28, 2018

Two Mahoning Valley natives picked up Grammy Awards today in the ceremony before tonight's televised event. Warren native Dave Grohl received the 16th Grammy Award of his career as Foo Fighters won Best Rock Song for "Run" off of its 2017 album "Concrete and Gold." It was the band's second win in the category, having won before for the song "Walk." Winning Best Rock Album was War on Drugs, featuring Anthony LaMarca of Youngstown on guitar and keyboards. The band won for its 2017 album "A Deeper Understanding." It's LaMarca's first win. The Jerry Douglas Band, led by Leavittsburg ...