News

Salem man accused of breaking and entering

Local News August 28, 2026

LIBERTY — A Salem man is facing charges after police were called to two houses throughout the week for suspicious activity. Steven Seabolt, 26, appeared in front of Girard Municipal Court Judge Jeffery Adler on two felony charges of breaking and entering Thursday morning. According to a Monday police report, an officer was called to a Belmont Avenue residence and spoke with a maintenance worker, who said he was at the property to mow the lawn but believed someone was in the building. The worker noted an empty box of beer cans and believed he heard dogs inside, adding that he ...

Expanding into a new farm venture

Local News August 28, 2026

Who knew that what started as having to come up with a prefix for my first homebred Jersey would grow into such a brand and new business ventures for me. Back in 2018, I purchased my first Jersey through an online sale in Wisconsin. A year later when she calved, I came up with the Lavender Ridge Jerseys prefix for the start of my Jersey herd. As the years have passed, this prefix is now on several animals, but it has also worked its way into my farm stand business as well. After my first homebred Jersey was born, I knew that I needed a prefix that would stand out for my show herd of ...

Board hears updates on enrollment, absenteeism

Local News August 28, 2026

LIBERTY — The Liberty Board of Education heard updates on chronic absenteeism and district enrollment from its superintendent, who noted a change that affected kindergarten enrollment for the school year. As part of his report at Monday’s regular meeting, Superintendent Brian Knight said the district is at 39 students in terms of kindergarten enrollment — adding that the number is “very low” compared to what it has traditionally been. “Part of the reason is, the state did change the requirements for kindergarteners; they have to be 5 years old on the first day of ...

Girard schools to keep an eye on spending and finances

Local News August 28, 2026

GIRARD — School officials said they plan to watch their spending in upcoming years as less money from the state will leave the district in a deficit in five years. School Treasurer Maureen Lloyd presented the five-year forecast with the district. The general fund held $14 million at the end of the 2025-26 school year, but by the end of the 2030-31 school year, the district is projected to face a $3 million deficit. Board Vice President Joseph Castor said after hearing the projections, officials are concerned as the district is expected to be operating in deficit-spending mode ...

Zoning commission to address data centers

City woman convicted of murdering her child denied parole

Local News August 28, 2026

WARREN — Joy Hodge, 43, was denied parole recently in the 2011 murder of her 15-month-old daughter at their home on Transylvania Street SE in Warren and must serve at least 10 more years in prison. According to the Ohio Department of Rehabilitation and Correction, Hodge will have her next parole hearing in May 2036. Hodge is incarcerated in Dayton Correctional Institution. She was sentenced to 15 years to life in prison. Hodge, then 29, was convicted at trial of murder, felonious assault and child endangering after her daughter, A’Nana Brantley, was found dead in her crib in the ...