News

Husted bill would free up unused college savings for first-time homebuyers

Local News August 5, 2026

Staff report U.S. Sen. Jon Husted introduced bipartisan legislation to help first-time homebuyers tap into unused money from a college savings fund they may have toward a down payment. The First-Time Homebuyer Empowerment Act is co-sponsored by Husted, an Ohio Republican and U.S. Sen. Michael Bennet, a Colorado Democrat. The bill would allow people to transfer up to $35,000 in leftover college savings from their 529 Plans tax free for the purchase of a first home. Funds in 529 Plans traditionally can only be used for education-related expenses or transferred to a retirement ...

Library to host Lego robotics camp

Community News August 5, 2026

LEGO ROBOTIC CAMP: A Lego Robotic Camp with Central State Extension will be 2 to 3 p.m. Thursday at the Warren-Trumbull County Main Library, 444 Mahoning Ave. NW, Warren. The free event for children ages 9 to 12 allows them to explore the basics of Lego robotics and coding. Registration is needed. For information, call 330-399-8807. SUNFLOWER FESTIVAL: The annual Sunflower Festival will be 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday and Sunday at Hartford Orchards, 6953 state Route 305. Hartford. The event will allow families to walk through sunflower orchards and experience sunflower blooms at the ...

First Niles nets $245K in second quarter

Business August 5, 2026

Staff report First Niles Financial Inc., the holding company for Home Federal Savings and Loan Association of Niles, recorded net income of $245,000 for the three months ended June 30, compared to net income of $100,000 for the same period in 2025, an increase of $145,000, or 145%. For the six months ended June 30, First Niles recorded net income of $487,000, compared to net income of $187,000 for the same period in 2025, an increase of $300,000, or 160.4%. Primary earnings per share for the three and six months ended June 30 were $0.16 and $0.31, respectively, as compared to ...

Authorities worry for teen girl’s safety

Local News August 5, 2026

YOUNGSTOWN — The Mahoning County Sheriff’s Office has issued an Endangered Missing Child Alert for Zeniah Diaz, 13, who is missing. Zeniah was last seen July 27 in Youngstown. She was last seen wearing pajama pants and a gray shirt. She is believed to be with her noncustodial father, ...

Retired Warren detective sues Niles over crash

Local News August 5, 2026

WARREN — A retired Warren police detective filed a complaint in Niles Municipal Court on Tuesday against the city of Niles, its police department, Niles Mayor Steve Mientkiewicz, other city officials and police officers, as well as Central Ohio Railroad in order to hold them accountable for an accident that caused more than $15,000 in damage to his recreational vehicle. Jeffrey R. Hoolihan states in the complaint that on June 23, he and two other persons were traveling east on Mahoning Avenue just north of Pratt Street in the eastbound lane in Hoolihan’s 29-foot 2002 Gulfstream Sun ...