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Rescuer finds, saves 11-year-old boy in a locked dog cage during fire

YOUNGSTOWN — The Youngstown Police Department and Youngstown Fire Department are investigating what is being called an arson early Monday in which an 11-year-old boy was rescued from a dog cage in a first-floor bedroom. An unidentified person rescued the boy from a locked dog cage while helping to rescue the boy and his family from a fire Monday on Forest View Drive on the East Side. A Youngstown police report does not state who the rescuer was, but the rescuer told Youngstown Fire Investigator Charles Hodge that he rescued the boy from “dog cage with three locks,” according to a ...

Man pleads guilty in 2025 gunfire on West Side

YOUNGSTOWN — Johnathan Spikes, 48, of Youngstown, pleaded guilty Monday in Mahoning County Common Pleas Court to discharging a firearm at or into a habitation or school safety zone with a firearm specification for a June 14, 2025, incident on North Portland Avenue on the West Side. Spikes ...

Businessman attempts to bring affordable housing

STRUTHERS — Local businessman and owner of Morgan Oil Mike Kassem hosted a grand opening and ribbon-cutting event at a house he renovated at 98 Park Way St. on Friday. It is one of 32 houses that have been renovated by Kassem. Citing his own experience growing up in poverty, Kassem said he ...

Former McDonald mayor named to fill council seat

McDONALD — Village council has named former mayor Glen “Marty” Puckett to fill an open seat on council. Council met for less than five minutes at a special meeting Monday where they voted 5-0 naming Puckett to the seat. Former councilman Don Smith stepped down as he and his family are moving to Florida. Council President Sean Schmidt said council selected Puckett for his experience and knowledge of the village because he served on council before being elected mayor. “His experience serving the village in the past and his availability to serve on council is what we need at ...

Injuries reported in weekend shootings

YOUNGSTOWN — A man was shot in the leg at the intersection of Market Street and Indianola Avenue on the city’s South Side on Saturday afternoon. He was listed in stable condition. Gunfire also took place early Sunday morning on Dupont Street on the North Side and on Shehy Street on the East Side on Sunday night, but there were no injuries reported in those shootings, according to Youngstown police. SATURDAY Officers were called to St. Elizabeth Boardman Hospital at 4:36 p.m. Saturday for a shooting victim being dropped off at the hospital. An officer spoke with a Mercy Health ...

Patrol stresses bus safety ahead of new school year

Staff report As a new school year approaches, the Ohio State Highway Patrol is urging drivers to promote safety by sharing the road with school buses and following all traffic laws. The patrol is also reminding school districts of the importance of staying up to date on school bus inspections. “Every student in Ohio deserves a safe ride to and from school, and that safety is a responsibility all drivers share,” said Gov. Mike DeWine. “As summer ends, and school buses get back out on the road, I encourage all drivers to stay alert, eliminate distractions and follow the posted ...