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Niles man pleads in child rape case

Staff report WARREN — A Niles man pleaded guilty Wednesday to four felony sex charges dealing with the rape of a 13-year-old in December. Frank Mack Smith Jr., 35, of Cherry Avenue, pleaded guilty to two counts of first-degree rape and two counts of fourth-degree gross sexual imposition before Trumbull County Common Pleas Court Judge Sean O’Brien. The case involved a 13-year-old girl who is related to the defendant. The conviction calls for a mandatory prison sentence with Trumbull County Assistant Prosecutor Gabriel Wildman indicating he is going to recommend consecutive, ...

Pause on data center tax breaks generates mixed views

Staff report Gov. Mike DeWine’s order this week to pause all sales-tax exemptions for new data centers in Ohio has drawn staunch opposition and qualified support from two major state institutions. The governor on Wednesday directed the chair of the Ohio Tax Credit Authority to pause consideration of any new data center tax exemption requests while the Ohio General Assembly’s Joint Data Center Committee studies the growth of data centers in Ohio. DeWine’s order followed reporting by The Associated Press and Signal Ohio last week that the sales-tax break had cost state coffers ...

Warren 3rd Ward meeting set for Saturday morning

Staff report WARREN — City Engineer Paul Makosky will be the guest speaker at city Councilman Greg Greathouse’s monthly 3rd Ward meeting at 10 a.m. Saturday at the Atlantic Street NE fire station. Makosky will update attendees on the city’s summer paving work and other projects. In addition, Peninsula Project expert Dennis Blank will update the status of that initiative. Doughnuts and a few lawn chairs will be provided. Bring your own coffee.

Carnival fosters fun

WARREN — Showing appreciation for foster parents turned out to be fun for the whole family during a carnival Tuesday at the Trumbull County Children Services Warren location. “We let (the foster parents) pick the fun. We have had sit down dinners and other events, but for the last three ...

Trumbull chiefs criticize 911 operations

WARREN — More than two dozen police and fire chiefs informed the Trumbull County Commissioners Wednesday about what they are calling a “crisis of confidence” over the county’s 911 operations. The law enforcement and fire officials were brought together to provide them a chance to express their frustrations about the 911 Center’s leadership, its interactions with the various departments and the costs they are paying for service. There are three pillars of systemic failure at 911, which includes its financial integrity, operational competence and accountability, according to ...

Acton vows to work with both Dems, GOP

BOARDMAN — Amy Acton, the Democratic candidate for governor, said she can work with those in both political parties but would not hesitate to veto legislation if needed. During a Wednesday campaign stop at the Structural Iron Workers Local 207’s apprenticeship building, Acton said, “I ...