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Oil companies in US rake in huge profits since start of war

NEW YORK — American oil and gas giants raked in massive spring profits while fighting between Iran and the U.S. impeded petroleum shipments and consumers around the world paid more for fuel and confronted shortages. The conflict, now in its sixth month, halted most shipping through the Strait of Hormuz, a narrow waterway that previously served as a delivery route for a fifth of the world’s oil and natural gas. With global supplies constrained, prices for Brent crude, the international standard, soared from about $70 to above $100 a barrel for much of March, April and May, and at ...

Valley native attempts solo journey around Arctic Ocean

Those who knew Matt Rutherford when he was growing up in Warren might have thought he’d only be exploring the inside of a jail cell. Rutherford, 45, left Aasiaat, Greenland, on June 25 in an effort to be the first person to circumnavigate the Arctic Ocean on a nonstop solo journey. He’s ...

New closures announced for I-80/76 rehab project

The Ohio Department of Transportation announced new road closures for the Interstate 76/80 pavement rehabilitation project in Austintown and Jackson townships. The ramp from Interstate 80 west to state Route 11 south is closed through Monday. The detour is I-80 west to state Route 46 to I-80 east to Route 11 south. I-80 west between Salt Springs Road and state Route 46 is reduced to one lane through early August. And starting Monday, the ramp from I-80 west to Route 46 will be closed through Friday. The detour will I-80 west to I-76 west to Bailey Road to I-76 east to I-80 east to ...

City man gets 15-year prison sentence on cocaine charge

YOUNGSTOWN — A 42-year-old city man was sentenced to prison recently for intending to distribute nearly 4 1/2 pounds of cocaine that was mailed to Ohio from Puerto Rico. Jean C. Martinez was sentenced to 188 months (15.6 years) in prison by U.S. District Judge Bridget Meehan Brennan in Cleveland federal court after Martinez pleaded guilty in April to attempted possession with intent to distribute cocaine. Martinez also was ordered to serve six years of supervised release after imprisonment. According to court documents, on Jan. 23, 2025, postal inspectors seized a parcel that ...

New Mahoning County elections home base eyed

YOUNGSTOWN — After saying for more than three months that the former Bottom Dollar grocery store was the top choice for its new home, Mahoning County Board of Elections officials no longer see it that way and are considering another building. Board Chairman David Betras said Friday: “The ...