Columbiana council approves contract with public employees union

July 29, 2026

COLUMBIANA — The city’s AFSCME union will earn 3 percent raises annually over the next three years. City Council approved the new three-year contract on July 21. City Manager Lance Willard said the agreement is similar to the one given to the Ohio Patrolmen’s Benevolent Association earlier this year. Both unions received 3 percent wage increases for each year of the three year contracts. The OPBA covers patrolmen, dispatchers and the police sergeant. The AFSCME union represents public sector municipal employees. In other matters during the recent city council meeting, ...

Non-profit looks to hold wing festival in Columbiana

July 29, 2026

COLUMBIANA — A non-profit organization is looking to host a wing festival in the city. Wanda Wellman of Alta Care Group presented the idea to City Council recently. Wellman said the organization serves Mahoning and Trumbull counties and opened a behavioral health office in Salem in May, bringing the service area to Columbiana County as well. Alta Care Group also celebrated its 50th anniversary this year, she added. “I would like the opportunity to host a large community event. I think you all do a wonderful job with large-scale community events. I really would love the ...

Highway patrol investigating head-on collision in Perry Township

July 29, 2026

PERRY TOWNSHIP — Two drivers suffered suspected serious injuries Tuesday morning after their pickups collided head-on on state Route 45 in Perry Township. A spokesman for the Ohio State Highway Patrol Lisbon post said a Chevy Silverado traveled left of center and struck a Dodge Ram at 8:27 a.m. Tuesday. Each driver was transported to St. Elizabeth Hospital in Youngstown by EMT EMS. Perry Township police and fire departments were also on scene. The accident remains under investigation.

Mediators see progress in efforts to halt Iran war as drone attacks rattle region

July 28, 2026

CAIRO (AP) — Mediators have achieved progress in getting the United States and Iran back to negotiations, regional officials said Monday, after both sides paused attacks following a period of rapidly escalating tensions. But scattered attacks by armed groups across the region underscored the ...

Man indicted in trooper’s death pleads not guilty; $100,000 bond set

July 28, 2026

YOUNGSTOWN — Ryan Rach, 36, who was indicted last week on a charge of aggravated vehicular homicide in the Oct. 16 crash that killed Ohio State Highway Patrol Trooper Nicholas Cayton, was arraigned on the charges Monday morning in Mahoning County Common Pleas Court. Rach, of Canfield, who ...

Perry Township voters to see new police levy on November ballot

July 28, 2026

PERRY TOWNSHIP — Perry Township voters will be presented with the question of a new levy for the police department in November. During its meeting Monday, the board of trustees unanimously approved a resolution to place a new 1.5-mill property tax levy for the police department on the ballot in the upcoming November election. The proposed levy has a five-year collection period beginning in tax year 2026 and continuing through tax year 2030. If approved by voters in November, the levy is projected to generate $222,295 for the department annually and would cost voters $53 for each ...