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 ...

Hubbard hears from engineer about data centers

July 7, 2026

HUBBARD — Officials and residents have shared their own experiences and research regarding data centers over the past few months, and on Monday, they heard from someone who made the two-hour trek to give some perspective. Joe Fuller, a Centerburg, Ohio resident, said that with his thermal engineering degree, he’s worked in 12 data centers across the state, as well as ones in Michigan, Indiana, Pennsylvania and Kentucky. “Data centers that would come here — it’s going to affect your water, 100%. The water quality will not be there. These data centers can consume enormous ...

Falls board OKs contract renewal for superintendent

July 7, 2026

NEWTON FALLS — The Board of Education has approved a contract renewal for Superintendent Andreas Johansson, continuing his leadership of the district. Johansson has served as superintendent since August 2024. When Johansson was hired, his salary was $118,000. The contract is effective Aug. 1, 2027, to July 31, 2030, under the same terms and conditions of his current contract, with the exception of an enhanced contribution of 15% to the health insurance premium. Board President Tonya Kline said the board’s action provides continued leadership and stability as Newton Falls Schools ...

Holiday-induced neighbor dispute ends in arrest

July 7, 2026

LIBERTY — A dispute between neighbors during Independence Day festivities became a brief standoff Saturday evening, as a Liberty man is accused of pointing a firearm at a resident. Ronald Wilson, 64, pleaded not guilty to charges of resisting arrest and aggravated menacing in front of Girard Municipal Court Judge Jeffery Adler Monday. He also appeared on a charge of obstructing official business. According to a police report, officers were called to the Potters Circle area for a person reported with a gun. The responding officer met with a resident, who said he, his family and ...

Pedestrian killed at city intersection

July 7, 2026

WARREN — A pedestrian was struck and killed by a car Saturday night at an intersection in Warren, police said. The fatal crash occurred just before 11 p.m. at Youngstown Road and Kenilworth Avenue SE. A westbound Buick sedan struck the pedestrian, who was crossing Youngstown Road in a northbound direction, according to the Warren Police Department. The pedestrian was pronounced dead at the scene. The incident remains under investigation by Warren police. No further details on the driver or circumstances have been released.