Breaking News

Salem council approves CRA expansion

SALEM — Salem has expanded the borders of its community reinvestment area (CRA). Following an approximately 20-minute executive session for…

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Local Sports

MINERAL RIDGE — Perennial volleyball power and 11th-seeded Independence powered past ninth-seeded United, 25-19, 25-20, 24-26,…

Independence downs United

DESHIELDS HONOR KENT – The Mid-American Conference named Kent State junior quarterback Dru DeShields as the MAC…

SPORTS BRIEFING

Local Columns

Columbiana is building on its success

EDITOR’S NOTE: This column originally appeared in the Fall 2026 issue of Valley Business magazine. Several years ago, I began visiting relatives who moved to Apex, N.C. It didn’t take many visits to realize Apex is something special. Walkability. New housing starts. Quaint retail. A robust park system. A historically preserved downtown. A noticeable…

Neighborhood News

On the calendar

TUE/10-27 Austintown Audubon Society/Mahoning Valley, Austintown Senior Center, 112 Westchester Drive; social time at 6:30 p.m., presentation at 7 p.m. featuring Ford Parker, photographer and naturalist presents Through the Lens…Naturally. Calcutta Calcutta Lions Club, 6:30 p.m., Peter Metrovich Community Center Columbiana School board, 6 p.m., high school media center County Columbiana County Mental Health…

Salem Federation of Women’s Clubs to host Veterans Appreciation Dinner and Program SALEM — The Salem…

Community Briefs

Do you pay attention to candidate spending in elections?

Business

Covelli Enterprises, Caribou Coffee ink coffeehouse deal

WARREN — Already the largest franchise operator of Panera Bread restaurants and one of the largest restaurant franchisees in the U.S., Covelli Enterprises in Warren is growing with the addition of Caribou Coffee to its lineup. The companies on Tuesday announced they signed a domestic franchise development agreement, touting it as the largest deal…

Editorials

Ohio has some work ahead to avoid looking foolish in book bans

School book ban trends come and go, but there are always groups of people who want to keep their children from having access to reading material that might expose them to new ideas or, worse, ask questions. The problem is particularly bad in Ohio, which ranks third among the states in PEN America’s study…

Letters to the Editor

West Branch's future depends on levy approval

To the editor: On Nov. 3, residents in the West Branch community will have the opportunity to support our local schools by voting “for” the five-year permanent improvement levy. This levy, if passed, will generate funding that is much needed to provide upgrades for our school buildings and grounds. These upgrades include purchasing security…

Obituaries

Richard Hawkins

1932-2026 Richard (Dick) H. Hawkins, formerly of Akron, Ohio, passed away peacefully in his sleep on Oct. 23, 2026. He had resided most recently at Copeland Oaks in Sebring, Ohio. Richard was born Dec. 9, 1932, in Alliance, Ohio, to parents Richard and Mary (Harrington) Hawkins. Richard grew up in Berlin Center and graduated…