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Intervention sought in SOBE rate increase

The Office of the Ohio Consumers’ Counsel filed a motion to intervene on behalf of SOBE Thermal Energy Systems LLC’s residential customers in downtown Youngstown in front of the Public Utilities Commission of Ohio, which granted the troubled utility company a huge rate increase. With SOBE’s financial situation in dire straits and potentially facing insolvency, the PUCO voted June 24 for an emergency rate increase with most of its customers paying 93%, effective June 30, and an additional 162% increase for most from November to April. SOBE provides steam heat to 23 buildings, ...

Judge says Paramount and Warner must halt merger for at least two weeks

NEW YORK (AP) — A federal judge on Monday ordered Paramount and Warner Bros. Discovery to halt their $81 billion merger for at least two weeks, allowing states that are challenging the deal more time to see their case through in court. Twelve states, led by California, sued to block Paramount’s pending buyout of Warner last week — alleging that such a combination would “extinguish competition” in Hollywood and lead to fewer choices for consumers, particularly moviegoers and cable customers across the U.S. The states’ top prosecutors called on Warner and Paramount to not ...

Liberty resident reports potential $16,000 theft

LIBERTY — A resident expressed plans to pursue criminal charges against his daughter when Liberty police conclude their investigation into nine stolen items worth approximately $16,000. According to a police report, officers were called Saturday morning regarding a theft, and they met with a man and his wife. The man told officers he and his wife were on vacation, and they had a person at their Logan Arms Drive residence, noting that his daughter — who hasn’t lived there since December — was also seen entering the building, the report states. The man said his daughter still ...

Arrest made in Boardman shooting

BOARDMAN — The man police say shot at two women and caused a crash on Market Street has been arrested. In a follow-up to a news release sent last week, identifying Eugene G. Thompkins, 35, of Youngstown, as the suspected shooter, Boardman police Chief Todd Werth said that Thompkins turned himself in on Monday afternoon. Thompkins is charged with two counts of attempted murder, four counts of felonious assault and one count of improperly discharging a firearm at or into a habitation. The investigation continues of other involved individuals who were in the vehicle with Thompkins at ...

Schwebel’s workers outline concerns with company

YOUNGSTOWN — Sherrod Brown said Monday afternoon that he wasn’t delivering solutions to Schwebel Baking Company’s workers and retirees in the aftermath of its impending closure. The former U.S. senator, who is seeking a return to the Senate this November, said he wanted to understand ...