Breaking News

Willie M. Howard 1937-2026

WARREN — Willie Mae Westbrook Howard, 89, died Saturday, July 25, 2026, at Community Skilled Health Care. She was born May 6, 1937, in Yazoo City, Mississippi, a daughter of Dave and Dora Mae Watts Westbrook. She retired from employment in housekeeping at St. Joseph Warren Hospital and ...

Services

HOLLY C. BAILEY, 61, Girard. CALLING HOURS: 1 to 3 p.m. Saturday, Carl W. Hall Funeral Home, Warren. AGNES G. BRYANT, 97, Warren. SERVICES: 11 a.m. Saturday, Second Baptist Church, Warren. CALLING HOURS: 10 to 11 a.m. Saturday, church. VIVIAN L. DAVIS, 82, Warren. SERVICES: 11 a.m. Friday, Second Baptist Church, Warren. CALLING HOURS: 10 to 11 a.m. Friday, church. KENNETH M. GROFF, 89, Middlefield. SERVICES: celebration of life, 1 to 4 p.m. Aug. 9, the Grand Resort Pavilion (Avalon Country Club), Warren. MAUREEN F. JONES, 80, Niles. SERVICES: 11 a.m. Friday, Niles City Cemetery ...

Arlene Smith, lead singer of pioneering ’50s girl group the Chantels, dies at 84

NEW YORK (AP) — Arlene Smith, one of the first “girl group” stars who as a teenager and a founder of the Chantels co-wrote and sang lead on the 1950s doo-wop classic “Maybe,” has died at 84. Smith’s manager and close friend, Paul Errante, told The Associated Press that she died of a heart attack Wednesday at a New York City hospital. Male harmony groups from the Drifters to Dion and the Belmonts were common in the early years of rock ’n’ roll. But female acts — especially black female acts — were rare until the late 1950s, when performers such as the Chantels and ...

Donna Jean Wasko 1952-2026

WARREN – Donna Jean Wasko, 74, passed away peacefully on Monday morning, July 27, 2026, in Newton Falls, surrounded by her beloved family. Donna was born on April 16, 1952, in Warren, a daughter of the late George J. Sr. and Ann Russomanno Vadas. A proud 1970 graduate of Warren G. ...

Kenneth Groff 1937-2026

MIDDLEFIELD — Kenneth M. “Ken” Groff, born March 2, 1937, in Middlefield, lived a remarkable life defined by hard work, generosity, unwavering integrity and a deep love for family and friends. He passed away on Tuesday, June 9, 2026, leaving behind a legacy that will continue to inspire ...

Sherlynn M. Stringer-Forman 1964-2026

NILES — Sherlynn Marie Stringer-Forman, 62, passed away unexpectedly on Sunday, July 26, 2026, following a sudden illness. Born on April 24, 1964, in Warren, she was a daughter of Dallis and JoAnne Stringer. She was a graduate of Girard High School and went on to pursue a degree in ...