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Murderer denied chance to argue for another trial

YOUNGSTOWN — Mahoning County Common Pleas Court Judge Anthony Donofrio has refused the request of John E. Drummond Jr. to argue for a new trial based on allegedly newly discovered evidence. Drummond, 49, is on death row in the 2003 shooting death of 3-month old Jiyen C. Dent Jr. on Rutledge Drive on Youngstown’s East Side. Attorneys for Drummond filed a motion in July 2025, asking Donofrio to allow them to file a “delayed” request for a new trial, saying they obtained affidavits from two men who testified at Drummond’s trial, one of whom now says the incriminating ...

Collector chip series will honor America250

CANFIELD — The Canfield Fair collectible chips will feature America250 this year with a special red, white, and blue chip that will be available from any Fair Director during this year’s fair, according to Fair Director Woody Woolman. “We are getting 1,000 of these chips made,” he ...

Hubbard graduate to ‘Dot the I’ in OSU home opener

HUBBARD — Robert Gawdyda spent the majority of his high school band career as a clarinet player, but a request from his band director to compensate for a lack of players changed his future. “For marching band in 10th grade, we had a couple of seniors leave, who were tuba players — I ...

Struthers man accused of break-in attempt in Liberty

LIBERTY — Officers are on the lookout for a man accused of attempting to kick down a woman’s apartment door Thursday evening. William Berch, 74, faces charges of attempted aggravated burglary and aggravated trespass in Girard Municipal Court. According to the police report, an officer responded to a Gypsy Lane residence for a reported man with a knife, with dispatchers saying he was trying to get into someone’s apartment, but he left as they gave other responding officers information. The officer spoke with the caller/witness, who said his son walked up to their apartment ...

YSU FOOTBALL SEASON KICKS OFF WITH JUBILATION

YOUNGSTOWN -- Youngstown State University opened its 2026 season on a high note Thursday night at Stambaugh Stadium, defeating Mercyhurst 43-10. YSU fifth-year quarterback Beau Brungard scored five touchdowns in that win. About 8,300 fans cheered the team on at the home opener for the 2026 ...

Report: Boy kept in cage 6 hours daily

YOUNGSTOWN — A boy rescued from a locked dog cage during an Aug. 3 house fire told doctors and police he was routinely kept in a cage for several hours a day. A Youngstown police report states the 11-year-old told authorities his father routinely made his mother and sister confine him in the cage for six hours each day. The boy’s father, Franklin Heisler, 67, and mother, Chu Yue Zheng, 33, turned themselves in Tuesday at the Mahoning County Sheriff’s Office on third-degree felony charges of child endangering stemming from the investigation. Both remained in the Mahoning County ...