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THE COURTS

Police and Court Reports July 2, 2026

Common Pleas NEW CASES Donald T. Crane, West South Range Road, Columbiana, vs. Cynthia M. Crane Commarata, Hamilton Road, East Palestine; damages sought for alleged claims of defamation, false police report, intentional infliction of emotional distress and prima facie tort. DNF Associates LLC, Getzville, N.Y., vs. Nicholas Adkins, Maplewood Avenue, East Liverpool; collection sought of alleged $3,326 debt. Westlake Services, LLC, Los Angeles, Calif., vs. Alex Felton, Salem Alliance Road, Salem; collection sought of alleged $18,185 debt. Carrington Mortgage Services, LLC, Anaheim, ...

Giant Eagle becomes part of Kroger in $1.65B deal

Local News July 2, 2026

Cincinnati-based Kroger Co. announced Wednesday the $1.65 billion acquisition of Giant Eagle stores and its private label ventures. An unknown number of Giant Eagle stores will be dropped from its current roster of 197 to obtain federal regulatory approval, Kroger said in a joint news release. Giant Eagle operates 11 stores in Mahoning, Trumbull and Columbiana counties and 87 in Ohio, according to real-time inventory tracker storelocators.com. Previously, Kroger sought to acquire national grocer Albersons in a $25 billion merger. The effort failed in late 2024 as it faced Federal ...

2 civil lawsuits filed in crash that killed trooper on Route 11 in Mahoning County

Local News July 2, 2026

YOUNGSTOWN (WKBN) – Two civil lawsuits have been filed in connection with a crash that killed a local trooper on State Route 11 in Mahoning County. Trooper Nicholas Cayton was killed in October 2025 when his cruiser was rear-ended by a Mack truck driven by a Canfield man. Cayton had stopped to assist a disabled tractor-trailer along Route 11, just south of Route 224, when the crash happened. Cayton’s estate filed a lawsuit Tuesday in Mahoning County Common Pleas Court against the driver of the Mack truck and his employer, Leetonia-based Quaker City Concrete Products, their ...

East Palestine settlement payments to be sent out

Local News July 2, 2026

EAST PALESTINE (WKBN) — For those impacted by the Norfolk Southern train derailment in East Palestine, settlement checks for property claims are supposed to be in the mail. This is part of the $600 million settlement agreement by the railroad to resolve class action lawsuits. Anyone living or owning property within 20 miles of the derailment site was eligible to file a claim. Epiq is handling the payments. WKBN 27 First News made a call Wednesday to the administrator’s hotline and was told only that payments were to go out by the end of June 2026. “Epiq anticipates valid Direct ...

Owner of dog involved in attack pleads not guilty to criminal charges

Local News July 1, 2026

LISBON — A woman whose dog was euthanized after attacking and injuring a Beaver Local teacher out for a walk at Lake Tomahawk in May entered a not guilty plea Tuesday to criminal charges related to the incident. Jill A. Brothers, 62, Tomahawk Drive, Negley, appeared for arraignment in Columbiana County Municipal Court for two counts each of charges of violating vicious, dangerous, nuisance dog acts, a third-degree misdemeanor, and duties after dog bites person, quarantine, a minor misdemeanor. Her defense attorney, Chris Amato, was not in attendance. Brothers used a walker to enter ...

Rodman Public Library announces July activities

Neighborhood News July 1, 2026

ALLIANCE – Rodman Public Library has announced several upcoming activities in July. Science Kits Available July 6 Starting July 6, children can pick up a “My First Science Kit” filled with instructions, materials and equipment to conduct more than 100 experiments at Rodman Public Library. With the STEM kit, kids will make fizzy potions, water fireworks, create an ocean in a bottle, conduct color science experiments, and make perfume – among others. The kits are provided through the Greater Alliance Foundation to celebrate summer enrichment and America 250. The kits, ...