Pitzer, township leaders react to fire chief’s looming departure

July 16, 2026

BOARDMAN — Township leaders have confirmed that fire Chief Mark Pitzer will be leaving his post next month to accept a position in Canfield. He was hired Tuesday as deputy chief following an executive session of the Cardinal Joint Fire District board. He will be paid $92,000 per year. Township Administrator Mark Ragozine said Pitzer submitted his resignation letter on Tuesday, informing the township that he will step down on Aug. 7. Ragozine said Pitzer left he and trustees with no hard feelings. Trustee chairman Steve Yacovone echoed that, but said Boardman will certainly miss ...

ICE ordered to halt most vehicle stops

July 15, 2026

BIDDEFORD, Maine (AP) — Trump administration officials told Immigration and Customs Enforcement officers to suspend most vehicle stops after two deadly shootings within a week, people familiar with the decision said Tuesday. The policy change came after an ICE officer shot and killed a Colombian driver Monday in Maine and a week after one shot and killed a motorist in Houston, renewing criticism of the agency’s enforcement tactics that were widely condemned last winter after the killings of Alex Pretti and Renee Good in Minnesota. In Florida on Tuesday, a third man in roughly a ...

Boardman fire chief resigns

July 15, 2026

CANFIELD — Boardman’s fire chief resigned Tuesday to become deputy chief at the Cardinal Joint Fire District. Mark Pitzer’s resignation, effective Aug. 7, was confirmed by Boardman Township Administrator Mark Ragozine. He joined the department in 2003 and was named chief in July 2014. ...

Operations at Schwebel’s to end, according to court filing

July 15, 2026

The Schwebel Baking Company’s efforts to find a new buyer have failed, and the company will halt operations. The news came out of an hourlong telephone status conference this morning with U.S. District Judge David A. Ruiz in U.S. District Court, Youngstown. “Extensive discussion occurred,” according to minutes of the proceeding released by the court. “Notably, Defendant’s discussions with a potential buyer have come to a close, and the company is proceeding with a wind-down of its operations. “In addition, a secured creditor of Defendant just filed a lawsuit seeking to ...

Former SOBE receiver seeks funds he’s owed

July 15, 2026

YOUNGSTOWN — SOBE Thermal Energy Systems LLC’s former receiver and ex-legal counsel were supposed to be paid $55,570 by May 9, but it keeps getting delayed because the current receiver says the troubled downtown utility company doesn’t have the money. The Public Utilities Commission of Ohio voted June 24 to increase the monthly rate for most SOBE customers by 93% now with an additional 162% increase for most from November to April, when steam heat is primarily used. Included in the rate hike is money owed to Reg Martin, the former receiver, and Kenneth R. Goldberg, the ...

Nation and world at a glance for July 15

July 15, 2026

Darline Graham, sister of late SC senator sworn in to finish term WASHINGTON — The sister of the late South Carolina Sen. Lindsey Graham has been sworn in to fill his seat, just three days after his death. Darline Graham, left, was sworn in at the Senate on Tuesday. She was appointed ...