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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 ...

Fly in to aviation trail opening

Staff report A newly completed one-mile trail invites walkers to get their steps in while discovering the Mahoning Valley’s aviation history. The Air Heritage Trail, a $500,000 project, will be presented to the public during a ribbon cutting and reception at 3 p.m. Friday. Entrance to the path is located at 4300 King Graves Road, Vienna, between the Youngstown-Warren Regional Airport and the Youngstown Air Reserve Station’s new main gate. The path is constructed in the shape of a C-130 military transport plane with grindings from the taxiways used for the surface. Wildflowers ...

McDonald council places moratorium on data centers

McDONALD — While recent meetings have lasted for two or more hours, village council at a special meeting Wednesday took less than five minutes to approve an emergency ordinance placing a one-year moratorium on data centers in the village. Council voted 5-0 on the moratorium. Councilman Brian Bosheff was not able to attend. The one-year moratorium means the village will not accept, process or consider any applications for any data centers in the village. Council President Sean Schmidt said council and village officials will always do what is in the best interest of the village and ...

Task force offering reward for capture of Boardman suspect

BOARDMAN — The Northern Ohio Violent Fugitive Task Force is offering a reward for information that would lead to the capture of fugitive Stacey Mahone. Mahone is wanted by the Boardman Police Department and the U.S. Marshals Service on charges of strangulation, domestic violence and child endangering. Mahone, 24, is about 5 feet 10 inches tall and weighs about 135 pounds. He has been known to frequent the Youngstown and Cleveland areas. Anyone with information regarding Mahone is asked to contact the Northern Ohio Violent Fugitive Task Force at 1-866-4WANTED or they can send a ...