News

Bed tax on short-term rentals considered in Trumbull

Local News September 22, 2026

WARREN — Commissioners are expected to vote to require short-term rental facilities with five or less rooms to pay the same lodging tax that larger hotels and motels currently have to pay. Trumbull now charges 5% lodging or bed taxes on short-term lease organizations that have five or more beds. Of that amount, 3% is used by the Western Reserve Port Authority, and 2% is used by the Trumbull County Tourism Bureau. There are 20 other counties across Ohio with this same type of policy, and two Trumbull communities, Howland and Liberty, have these same rules, according to Nicholas ...

Operator of 314 Wendy's locations in the US files for bankruptcy protection

Business News September 22, 2026

One of the largest U.S. franchisees for Wendy's has filed for bankruptcy protection after the restaurant chain tried to terminate its franchise agreement. Meritage Hospitality Group, which operates 314 Wendy’s restaurants in 15 states, said in a statement last week it intends to keep operating its restaurants and paying its 9,000 employees during the bankruptcy process. Grand Rapids, Michigan-based Meritage filed its bankruptcy petition in federal court in western Michigan on Sept. 17. According to court documents, Wendy’s filed a notice of termination of the company’s ...

YSU President delivers State of University address

Local News September 22, 2026

YOUNGSTOWN -- When it came to assessing Youngstown State University's state of affairs, YSU President Bill Johnson left the starting gate not with a trot, but with a gallop. "I'm glad to share with you that the state of Youngstown State University is very, very good," he said. That was among ...

Woman pleads guilty in child sex abuse case

Local News September 22, 2026

YOUNGSTOWN — A Youngstown woman faces a likely prison stint after pleading guilty Monday to sex offenses involving a 3-year-old child. A news release from the Mahoning County Prosecutor’s Office states that Tekia Huggins, 34, pleaded guilty in Mahoning County Common Pleas Court to charges ...

Thomas bill would require payment for power outages

Local News September 22, 2026

State Rep. David Thomas, who represents parts of Trumbull County, introduced a bill to require electric utility companies to pay customers for repeated and/or prolonged power outages. Thomas, R-Jefferson, is sponsoring the bill with state Rep. Trisan Rader, D-Cleveland. With the Ohio House not meeting again until after the Nov. 3 election, Thomas said he didn’t expect the bill to pass this year. But Thomas said he and Rader would introduce it again next year, which would give it until Dec. 31, 2028, to be approved by the state Legislature. The Ohio Power Outage Relief Act would ...