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Youngstown man accused of throwing woman

LIBERTY — A Youngstown man has been charged after a woman accused him of throwing her off a porch after a verbal argument Monday. Cody Gamertsfelder, 51, pleaded not guilty to a charge of domestic violence before Girard Municipal Court Judge Jeffery Adler on Tuesday. According to a police report, officers were called to a Catherine Street residence after Gamertsfelder said his wife was out of control and had locked herself in the bedroom. Dispatchers received a separate call a short period later from a neighbor, who said the woman had called him and said Gamertsfelder had just ...

Company touts proposed data center for McDonald

McDONALD — Officials with Oppidan said a proposed data center possibly to be located at the former McDonald Steel property will mean 250 full-time jobs and $7.3 million in property taxes for the village, but residents are concerned with emissions, noise and environmental issues if such a ...

Austintown trustees, school officials mull fuel sharing plan

AUSTINTOWN — A pending agreement between the township and school district could stretch the police budget further. The Austintown Board of Education reviewed a proposal at its meeting Wednesday to allow the Austintown Township Police Department to fill its cruisers on campus, using an unleaded fuel pump owned by the schools. However, no vote was taken. Township trustees approved the plan at Monday’s meeting, and they said it will save the township as much as $60,000 per year. “We can buy fuel locally from Lyden Oil, we’ll buy in bulk, more frequently, and let the police ...

Ohio AG: Criminalize misuse of Flock cams

While calling Flock Safety automatic license plate reader cameras effective when used properly, Attorney General Andy Wilson said the state Legislature should criminalize their misuse. In a Wednesday statement, Wilson, a Republican, said: “Misuse of Flock is rare and breaches should result in serious consequences. To that end, the Ohio General Assembly should criminalize the misuse of Flock just as it currently criminalizes the misuse of other law enforcement technology.” Wilson said: “Unauthorized use of the Ohio Law Enforcement Gateway, for example, is a fifth-degree felony ...

City council refuses to temporarily increase the number of police lieutenants

YOUNGSTOWN — With the Youngstown Police Department reinstating Brian Flynn, fired as a lieutenant in December 2022 after being accused of dereliction of duty but winning numerous legal challenges, city council refused to increase the number of lieutenants on a temporary basis. Council voted 6-1 on Wednesday against legislation, sponsored by Mayor Derrick McDowell, to increase the number of lieutenants from eight to nine until one retires so no one would be demoted with the reinstatement. The only member of council to vote in favor of the legislation was Samantha Turner, D-3rd ...

Annexation OK triggers process to build homes

WARREN — Trumbull County Commissioners on Wednesday approved an annexation that will place 61.65 acres of land in Niles, as well as Howland and Weathersfield townships, all into the city limits. JRD Holdings Inc., which owns the property at the intersection of Niles-Vienna and Stillwagon roads, is planning to build approximately 100 market-rate homes on the land. The three communities previously agreed to the annexation to move the proposed project forward, but need commissioners’ approval to make it official. Niles will be able to provide the development water, sewer and ...