Security added at Falls municipal building

July 8, 2026

NEWTON FALLS — Because of recent incidents of angry residents at the municipal building, village council on Monday approved hiring a security guard. Interim village manager Kathy King said residents have been at the building arguing about their utility bills. Village council entered into an agreement with Master Security Inc. for a security guard at $17.20 per hour for 40 hours per week. Law Director Gary Van Brocklin said the village’s part-time police department does not have enough officers to have someone stationed at the municipal building 40 hours a week. He said there ...

Pedestrian identified in July 4 fatal crash in Warren

July 8, 2026

WARREN — A 72-year-old man was fatally struck by a car while crossing a street in Warren on July 4, authorities said. Charles Owens Jr. of Highland Avenue was walking across Youngstown Road SE near the intersection of Kenilworth Avenue SE around 10:51 p.m. when he was hit in the curb lane by a blue Buick, according to a crash report. The 49-year-old driver continued past the scene and then turned around. Owens was pronounced dead at the scene by EMS personnel. Police arrived two minutes after being dispatched, at 10:56 p.m. The driver was not distracted at the time of the crash, ...

Lordstown seeks voter support for tax change

July 7, 2026

LORDSTOWN — In May 2023, Lordstown voters approved an additional 0.5% income tax to be used for the fire department, which was on top of an existing 1% income tax for the general fund. Village officials will ask voters in November to approve one change to the 0.5% income tax portion that is designated for the fire department so the funds also can be used to build a new fire station. Village council voted at their meeting Monday to send the change of purpose of the income tax issue to the Trumbull County Board of Elections for their review and for approval for placement on the ...

Newton Falls hires new law director, council clerk

July 7, 2026

NEWTON FALLS — Village council has named Gary Van Brocklin as the new law director/prosecutor and Kathy King as clerk for the village and council, noting the two will be able to work daily at the administration building with the new village manager, Jeremy Shaffer, who started Monday. The two new hires were met with pushback from some residents over their salaries. The full-time law director/prosecutor will be paid $110,000 and has agreed to waive any health insurance offered by the village. He will receive two weeks vacation. Van Brocklin will hire a part-time employee to serve as ...

Ohio officer killed responding to gunshots call

July 7, 2026

A police sergeant responding to a 911 call about a break-in and gunshots at an Ohio home was fatally shot, and the suspect and two other people also died, authorities said. Four other officers and a police dog were hurt in the shooting Sunday night in Rittman, about 40 miles south of Cleveland, authorities said. “Upon arrival at the scene, officers came under immediate gunfire,” a joint statement from Rittman Police Chief Robert Shows and the sheriffs in Wayne and Medina counties said. Sgt. Scott Ries, a 10-year veteran of the Rittman Police Department, was killed, the ...

Niles public square opens to fanfare

July 6, 2026

NILES — The city’s new public square opened Saturday afternoon following the 4th of July festivities. The ribbon cutting came about a month after the ribbon cutting for Riverside Park, which features a canoe and kayak launch, amphitheater, nature playground and stamped concrete pathways. ...