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New law creates state defense and space commission

Gov. Mike DeWine had a bill signing ceremony for a new law to create the Ohio Defense and Space Commission — legislation sponsored by state Rep. Nick Santucci, R-Niles. The Monday ceremony follows DeWine officially signing the bill into law on July 7. Santucci said: “Ohio is uniquely positioned to lead the next generation of American defense and aerospace innovation. This commission will bring together the right partners to compete for investment, grow advanced manufacturing, support our military installations and create good-paying jobs across our state.” The bill passed 86-7 ...

Flock cams addressed at Austintown meeting

AUSTINTOWN — Many expected this month’s trustees meeting to focus heavily on Flock cameras. Instead, only one resident raised the issue, just enough for police Chief Valorie Delmont to provide an update on the department’s process and progress with installing the controversial traffic cameras. “We’re just in the very beginning stages of planning for Flock. And we’re still, I’m still, going through the education process,” Delmont said. She was responding to resident Doug Wright, who asked a few questions about the six license plate reader cameras that Austintown ...

Liberty fire chief voices safety concerns

LIBERTY — Liberty’s fire chief emphasized challenges in keeping both first responders and the public safe during emergencies, noting that one of his department’s vehicles has been struck several times by negligent drivers. Fire Chief Doug Theobald, during his report at Monday’s meeting, recalled the details of an Aug. 15 spill that closed Tibbetts Wick Road for eight hours, covering the road in a flour-like substance, a byproduct of steelmaking that was being hauled by a private company. Theobald said the department’s on-duty personnel, himself and two mutual aid ...

Negotiations ongoing in case involving former chorbishop

WARREN — Negotiations are ongoing, but no resolution was reached Monday in the misdemeanor criminal case of Anthony Spinosa, former chorbishop of the Basilica and National Shrine of Our Lady of Lebanon in North Jackson, regarding his two misdemeanor criminal charges. Spinosa, 75, appeared at the podium with his attorney, Jeff Goodman, for a pretrial hearing before Judge Patricia Knepp in Warren Municipal Court. Assistant Warren Law Director Diane Barber told the judge she had some negotiations with Goodman and that negotiations are “ongoing.” Barber said Goodman was going to ...

Bill seeks to connect businesses, colleges

Staff report State Reps. David Thomas and Nick Santucci, who both represent Trumbull County in the Ohio House, introduced a bill they say will better connect businesses with colleges and universities by providing students with workforce training opportunities. The Joining Opportunities, Businesses and Schools (JOBS) Act includes certificate programs that align with in-demand workforce needs, the legislators said. Participating businesses would receive a performance-based tax incentive for using the program. For each graduate hired by a company and retained for at least a year ...

Youngstown juveniles nabbed after fleeing in stolen car

Staff report WARREN — A Youngstown juvenile was arrested and taken to the Trumbull County Juvenile Justice Center following a Thursday night incident in which Warren police officers chased him and four other juveniles in a stolen car. All were captured. The arrested juvenile was charged with felony failure to comply with the order or signal of a police officer, receiving stolen property and a citation for having no driver’s license and stop sign violations after he admitted to stealing the car and then picking up his friends to drive them around. A Warren police report states ...