Second man charged in February shooting death had hearing Tuesday

July 1, 2026

Staff report WARREN —The attorneys in the Willis L. Smith murder case met with Trumbull County Common Pleas Court Judge Cynthia Wescott Tuesday to discuss the status of the case, resulting in another hearing being set for 11 a.m. July 7. The parties discussed the case, including plea negotiations, but Smith was not brought to the courthouse to attend the hearing in person. Smith, 18, is indicted on aggravated murder with a gun specification and tampering with evidence. Prosecutors say the actions of Smith and co-defendant Ashaud Johnson, 19, resulted in the death of Da’Mar ...

Howland school board approves contracts

July 1, 2026

HOWLAND — The district locked in a pair of administrative positions Monday, as one employee is moving up and another is being brought back on a new contract. The Howland Board of Education approved granting Erin Pierce a three-year limited contract as principal of Howland Springs Primary School, effective Aug. 1, 2026, to July 31, 2029. Pierce, the district’s supervisor of curriculum and instruction, will replace Carl Clark, who spent 18 years with the district and had his retirement resignation accepted at a March meeting, which is officially effective Tuesday. The board ...

Liberty and Girard’s shared services deal locked in

July 1, 2026

LIBERTY — An agreement between two districts for services has finally been set, as the Liberty Board of Education approved a shared services agreement with Girard City School District. According to the resolution, Liberty could not employ a chief bus mechanic/bus driver and was in need of someone to assume the role, which Girard had. The agreement allows Liberty to purchase 50% of the employee’s services from Girard for the upcoming school year, effective today through July 30, 2027, which will be reimbursed to Girard through half of the employee’s $72,800 salary and fringe ...

Commissioners expected to OK using opioid funds for recovery programs

July 1, 2026

WARREN – Commissioners are expected to vote on using $200,000 in opioid funding it is receiving from various state and federal lawsuits to pay for recovery programs currently being provided in the jail. These recovery programs are now being funded by the Trumbull County Mental Health and Recovery Board. The board is looking to reinvest that money back into its programs. Currently, the recovery board receives $150,000 of its funding from Judge Thomas Campbell’s court and another $50,000 from the county’s opioid funds. When questioned what would happen next year and in the ...

On the record: McDonald

July 1, 2026

WHAT: Board of education meeting Monday PRESENT: Nick Gallo, Michael Morris, Jessica Krumpak, Donna Shields and Kristina Merola The board: • Approved the purchase of a 78-passenger school bus at $142,839 through the Ohio School Council. • Heard from Superintendent Gary Carkido about looking at different options on protecting school buses that are parked outside. Carkido and board members discussed parking buses at different locations or inside an enclosure or shelter. Carkido said many school districts have their buses parked outside. Krumpak said safety grants are also ...

On the record: Champion

July 1, 2026

Champion WHAT: Board of education meeting Monday PRESENT: John Pitts, Marie Downs, Patricia Fisher and Aaron Abrahamson ABSENT: David Mahan The board: • Accepted the resignation of Austin Handrych, assistant principal K-8, and the resignation of Christy Pompoco, director of special education, both effective July 31. Handrych is leaving for Rocky River schools and Pompoco for Warren City schools. • Hired Sherry Peters as director of special education on a three-year contract and hired Jonathan Lagaras as a high school language teacher. • Approved Cassey Seifert as ...