Breaking News

Grammy-nominated musician John Forte found dead in home

NEW YORK (AP) — John Forte, the Grammy-nominated musician known for his work with the Fugees and the Refugee Camp All-Stars among others, has died at age 50. He was found dead Monday afternoon in his home in Chilmark, Massachusetts, according to police. Chilmark Police Chief Sean Slavin said in a statement that there were no signs of foul play or “readily apparent cause of death.” The case is being investigated by the state medical examiner’s office, according to Slavin. A native of New York City, Forte was a musical prodigy who broke through in his early 20s as a contributor ...

Area deaths

WILLIAM S. CANDELLA, 76, of Boardman, died Jan. 6. There are no services. (Rossi & Santucci) RAYMOND L. HILLIARD, 94, of Salem, died Sunday. (Stark Memorial) TONI MARIE SACCOMEN, 63, of Youngstown, died Monday at Hospice House. Arrangements are pending. (Kinnick)

Services

JOY A. AHO, 73, Vienna. SERVICES: Noon Wednesday, Blackstone Funeral Home, Girard. CALLING HOURS: 10 a.m. to noon Wednesday, funeral home. JUNE M. BELL, 89, Youngstown. SERVICES: 11 a.m. Thursday, Cunningham-Becker Funeral Home, Poland. CALLING HOURS: 9 to 10:45 a.m. Thursday, funeral home. LOUISA R. BERGER, 81, Youngstown. SERVICES: 11 a.m. Tuesday, Unitarian Universalist Church of Youngstown. SUZANNE J. BROWN, 78, Canfield. SERVICES: 11 a.m. Friday, Fox Funeral Home, Boardman. CALLING HOURS: 4 to 6 p.m. Thursday and 10 to 11 a.m. Friday, funeral home. BARBARA J. GUZAN, 88, ...

Melvin D. Hockensmith Jr. 1943-2026

WEST CHESTER — Melvin Dean “Mel” Hockensmith Jr., 82, passed away peacefully surrounded by his loving family on Monday, Jan. 5, 2026. Born March 2, 1943, in Niles, Mel was the son of Melvin Sr. and Elizabeth Hockensmith of Niles. He grew up in northeastern Ohio and began his lifelong ...

June M. Bell 1936-2026

YOUNGSTOWN — June Marie Bell, 89, passed away peacefully on Sunday, Jan. 11, 2026, at Omni Manor Nursing Home in Youngstown, surrounded by her loving family. June was born April 20, 1936, in Youngstown, a daughter of the late Myron T. and Ruth L. Brick Gillam. She was a lifelong resident ...

Suzanne J. Brown 1947-2026

CANFIELD — Suzanne “Susy” L. Brown, 78, passed peacefully on Saturday, Jan. 10, 2026, after a lengthy battle with Lewy Body Dementia. She was a daughter, sister, wife, stepmom and grandmother, cousin, friend and teacher, and a former member of Christ Church Presbyterian. Susy was ...