Municipal

LISBON — In Columbiana County Municipal Court, cases against Ryan J. Kost, 28, state Route 14, New Waterford, were bound over to the county grand jury for second-degree felonies of kidnapping and burglary, fourth-degree felony failure to comply with the order or signal of a police officer and misdemeanor theft for allegedly ripping out the screen of a side window at a woman’s house in Columbiana and gaining entry after first unsuccessfully attempting to enter the front and rear doors of the house on March 28. According to the affidavit, once inside, he grabbed her and began to drag her into another room. When she attempted to get away, he wrapped his arms around her waist and began pulling her into another room. He also grabbed her phone. He then fled the scene and led police on a high-speed chase before stopping the vehicle.

A preliminary hearing was set April 15 for Kevin Neely, 44, state Route 45, Lisbon, charged with third-degree felonies of domestic violence and having weapons while under disability and fourth-degree felony domestic violence for allegedly getting into a fight with a woman on April 5 and choking her in Lisbon. On Feb. 17 in Lisbon, he allegedly spit on the same woman several times, pushed her several times at one point against a glass door, threw a bottle of soda at her and threatened to shoot her with a black handgun that he was holding in his hand at the time. He had previous felony convictions and was allegedly prohibited from having a gun.

A preliminary hearing was set April 15 for Charles A. Dipalma, 38, Steubenville, charged with fifth-degree felony receiving stolen property for allegedly being in possession of a stolen vehicle on April 4 in Salem, with Dipalma allegedly telling police he failed to return the vehicle to a rental company.

A pretrial was set April 15 for Charles N. Gough, 27, Echo Dell Road, East Liverpool, charged with assault for allegedly pinning another man between his door and car and then punching him in the face, head and neck on March 8 in Salem. Another party began punching the victim also and the victim attempted to push Gough away when he fell, with Gough allegedly placing him in a choke hold on the ground, the affidavit said.

A pretrial was set June 1 for Tina Marie Mann, 60, First Street, East Liverpool, charged with domestic violence for allegedly striking another woman with a broom handle, causing minor injuries on April 4 in East Liverpool.

A pretrial was set June 15 for Charles K. Hardy, 68, Cleveland Heights, charged with engaging in prostitution and possessing criminal tools for allegedly responding to an undercover ad placed by a Mahoning Valley Human Trafficking Task Force agent on a known prostitution website and arranging for sexual activities with a woman in exchange for $200, then traveling to East Palestine on April 4 for the meeting the phone used to make the arrangements in his possession. The affidavit said Hardy allegedly told the “woman” he would have to give his wife an excuse to leave, commenting he was part time married.

A pretrial was set June 16 for Robert Allan Nelson, 59, Waynesburg, Pa,, charged with engaging in prostitution and possessing criminal tools for allegedly responding to an undercover ad placed by a Mahoning Valley Human Trafficking Task Force agent on a known prostitution website and arranging for sexual activities with a woman in exchange for $140, then traveling to East Palestine on April 5 for the meeting the phone used to make the arrangements in his possession. The affidavit said Nelson holds a position of trust, employed as a state corrections officer in Pennsylvania.

Thomas R. Wamsley, 51, Aliquippa, Pa., was fined $750 and given a suspended 90-day jail term for possessing criminal tools. A charge of engaging in prostitution was dismissed. He was ordered to complete 20 hours community service and a prostitution prevention course which was already completed. Wamsley was accused of responding to an ad placed by a Mahoning Valley Human Trafficking Task Force agent on a known prostitution website of two women and arranging for sexual activity with the women for either $150 for a half hour or $250 for an hour to be paid via the Cash Ap. According to the affidavit, he said he was a high school nurse and he traveled to East Palestine on April 18, 2025 for the meeting, with the phone used to make the arrangements in his possession.

A pretrial was set June 23 for Robyn E. Smelzer, 45, Cleveland Street, Salem, charged with public indecency expose private parts for allegedly urinating in the corner of one of the pavilions at Centennial Park in Salem on March 25.

A pretrial was set June 22 for Brittany J. Nortrup, 40, East Sixth Street, Salem, charged with violation of a protection order for allegedly being in a vehicle with the protected party on April 3 during a traffic stop in Salem Township.

A pretrial was set April 13 for Thomas R. Welsh, 40, East Fourth Street, Salem, charged with violation of a protection order for allegedly being observed in the area of two protected persons on March 24 in Salem.

A pretrial was set April 13 for Robert Allen Morris Jr., 41, Harvey Avenue, East Liverpool, charged with violation of a protection order, open container, operating a vehicle impaired second offense, OVI breath second offense and driving under suspension. Morris was accused of driving by a protected person’s residence multiple times on April 2 and 3 in East Liverpool.

Ronnie L. Jackson, 68, Steubenville Pike Road, Lisbon, was fined $250 and sentenced to 42 days in jail, with credit for 42 days served, for violation of a protection order. He came within 500 feet of a protected person and allegedly threatened him and his pet dog on Feb. 13 in Center Township.

Derek James Thompson, 31, Chester Avenue, Wellsville, was fined $100 and sentenced to 30 days in jail, with credit for 30 days served, for disorderly conduct amended from criminal trespass. A charge of obstructing official business was dismissed. Thompson trespassed in a condemned property on Sophia Street in East Liverpool on May 1. While a drug search warrant was being served in East Liverpool on April 10, 2025, he began to run from officers as they approached the residence.

Dalton Michael McKinnon, 24, Lacroft Avenue, East Liverpool, was fined $250 for theft for stealing three items valued at $9, including donuts, milk and ice cream from Dollar General in East Liverpool on Nov. 5, 2025.

Amanda D. Bidwell, 23, Wilbert Avenue, East Liverpool, was fined $100 and given a suspended 90-day jail term for theft. She was ordered to complete 40 hours community service, to make restitution of $130 and to stay away from the victim. Bidwell stole money from a co-worker’s purse at Goodwill in St. Clair Township on Feb. 8. She returned $306 of the $450 stolen, the affidavit said, after she admitted her guilt.

Bradley S. McCulley, 35, Walnut Ridge Road, Salineville, was fined $50 and given a suspended 30-day jail term for drug paraphernalia. He was ordered to complete 40 hours community service. He possessed drug paraphernalia in Lisbon on April 4.

Matthew Christopher Ward, 37, Michigan Avenue, East Liverpool, was fined $100 and sentenced to eight days in jail, with credit for eight days served, for disorderly conduct for making threats of homicide to the public and threats of violence towards the police on March 28 in East Liverpool.

A pretrial was set June 23 for Brooke R. Heath, 30, Memorial Road N, Kensington, charged with criminal damaging or endangering for allegedly hitting another woman’s vehicle with her truck and then pinning a man between the two vehicles when he attempted to place himself between them, suffering minor injury on March 30 in West Township.

Christian Martinez, 19, South Pearl Street, Columbiana, was fined $250 for disorderly conduct, with a charge of obstructing official business dismissed. Martinez was found staggering nearly falling in Columbiana, falling against the retaining wall of the cemetery and leaning on it to hold himself up and then trying to flee on foot on June 25, 2025.

Kaylee E. Harper, 21, East Third Street, Salem, was fined $250 for obstructing official business for screaming at police officers investigating an assault and refusing to move out of the way on Oct. 25, 2025 in Salem.

Jennifer L. Starcher, 38, Andrew Avenue, Salem, was fined $100 for disorderly conduct amended from permitting dog to run at large. She had been accused of failing to confine or restrain her dog on Oct. 9, 2025 in Salem.

Edward D. Fisher, 73, state Route 517, Lisbon, was fined $150 for failure to file tax return related to failing to file/remit sales tax for Corner Auto Repair, Lisbon from May 2025 through November 2025.

Amber L. Hoover, 38, North Lincoln Avenue, Salem, was fined $50 for dog at large for failing to keep her dog under control on March 26 in Salem.

Gary B. Reynolds, 66, Youngstown, was fined $250 and given a suspended 30-day jail term for drug paraphernalia. He was also ordered to complete 20 hours community service. He was accused of possessing glass smoking pipes with burnt residue during a traffic stop on Aug. 8, 2025 in Unity Township.

A pretrial was set June 16 for Janielle Rauch, 24, Hunter Camp Road, Lisbon, charged with OVI first offense and endangering children for allegedly having two minor children in the vehicle which she was allegedly operating impaired on March 31 in Center Township.

William L. Woolf, 42, Alliance, was fined $350 and sentenced to three days in jail, with credit for three days served, for tampering with traffic control devices, amended from a fifth-degree felony to a misdemeanor. Woolf drove over a stop sign and damaged it on March 22, 2025 in Knox Township after fleeing Alliance Police.

A status conference hearing was set June 9 and a court trial was set June 16 for Sadie R. Noling, 33, West Middletown Road, Salem, charged with OVI first offense and a turn signal violation.

A pretrial was set June 24 for Tamela Lara, 66, Globe Street,, East Liverpool, charged with OVI first offense and reasonable control.

Damecka R. Wilkins, 30, Girard, was fined $625 and sentenced to 30 days in jail, with 27 days suspended and credit for three days to be served in a driver intervention program for OVI and speeding. Her driver’s license was suspended for one year, with driving privileges granted.

Steven M. Shaffer Jr., 42, Moore Avenue, East Liverpool, was ordered to serve six days in jail for violating the terms of his probation for a 2024 OVI case. He was also fined $300 for a 2025 case for driving under suspension and expired plates.

Tyler Dean Shirley, 19, Union Avenue SE, Minerva, was fined $725 and sentenced to 90 days in jail, with 87 days suspended and credit for three days to be served in a driver intervention program, for OVI, reasonable control and no seat belt. His driver’s license was suspended for one year, with driving privileges granted, and he was ordered to complete 40 hours community service.

A charge of reasonable control against James H. Wicker, 50, Stagecoach Road, East Liverpool, was dismissed due to a clerical error, the judgment entry said.

A speeding charge against Charles Cody Taylor, 33, Shippingport, Pa., was dismissed.

A pretrial was set June 22 for Seth E. Oiler, 21, First Street, Wellsville, charged with driving under suspension.

A pretrial was set June 22 for Dakota Michael Lee McGrew, 32, Toronto, charged with speeding.

Danny Joseph Brandle, 55, Union Ridge Road, Rogers, was fined $125 for failure to control and reckless operation amended from failure to stop after an accident.

Courtney N. Todorovich, 37, Diamond, was fined $250 for a tail lights violation and two counts of driving under suspension.

Abdo Allahabi, 48, Ellwood City, Pa., was fined $50 for an equipment violation amended from a stop sign violation.

Mary Crank, 56, North Lima, was fined $100 for use of unauthorized plate.

Michael L. Baxter, 44, Weirton, W.Va., was fined $75 for no license.

Bradley S. McCulley, 35, Walnut Street, Salineville, was fined $125 for expired license and failure to display valid sticker.

Amber Barnhart, 28, East Chestnut Street, Lisbon, was fined $50 for reasonable control.

Berice D. Frederick, 52, Youngstown, was fined $150 for no license and an equipment violation amended from driving under suspension and use of unauthorized plate.

Dominique Labree Smith, 27, Warren, was fined $550 for marked lanes and failure to reinstate amended from driving under suspension.

Leiann M. Stidd, 35, Bridgeport, was fined $125 for driving under suspension and marked lanes.

Common Pleas

New Cases

PNC Bank National Association, Independence, vs. KLG Mobile Intensive Co., LLC, Karl L. Griggs, Cream Ridge Road, Lisbon; collection sought of alleged $20,140 debt.

Capital One, N.A., Independence, vs. Curt McAfee, state Route 518, Lisbon; collection sought of alleged $4,188 debt.

HSBC Bank USA, Greenville, S.C., vs. Shawn Cusick, East Chestnut Street, Lisbon, et al.; mortgage foreclosure sought.

Village of Wellsville, c/o Regional Income Tax Agency, Main Street, Wellsville, vs. Jean L. DeSarro, Sunnyside Street, East Liverpool, et al.; collection sought of alleged $10,400 owed for Wellsville village income taxes from 2019 through 2023.

Village of Salineville, c/o Regional Income Tax Agency, East Main Street, Salineville vs. Tila J. Miller, Maple Hill Road, Salineville; collection sought of alleged $8,112 owed for Salineville village income taxes from 2019 through 2023.

Lakeview Loan Servicing, LLC, Coral Gables, Fla. vs. Tyler R. McCoy, U.S. Route 30, Kensington, et al.; mortgage foreclosure sought.

Docket Entries

TIVKA 2024 LLC vs. unknown heirs, etc. of estate of Elsie M. Franklin, deceased, et al.; mortgage foreclosure ordered for North Street, East Liverpool property.

Heather Lyn Fankhauser and Melvin M. Fankhauser; dissolution granted.

Marriage Licenses

Daniel J. Kanna, 39, Salem, asbestos contractor, and Natalie Michelle Susor, 27, Salem, homemaker.

Casey M. Harcarik, 32, Columbiana, rebuild assembler, and Heather Ann Knight, 34, Columbiana, medical assistant.

Troy D. Todd, 54, Leetonia, IT, and Melissa Mae Todd, 54, Leetonia, medical assistant.

David W. Acton, 26, East Liverpool, licensed social worker, and Amanda J. O’Hanlon, 26, East Liverpool, licensed social worker.

Christopher C. Joseph, 59, East Liverpool, self employed, and Trudy L. Hoppel, 59, East Liverpool, secretary.

Anthony T. Gardner, 31, East Palestine, unemployed, and Maroda Rae Dobritz, 30, East Palestine, DPS caregiver.

Dakota Neil Tomlinson, 30, East Palestine, warehouse supervisor, and Marie Lynn Twigg, 43, East Palestine, caregiver.

Grand Jury

LISBON –The following secret indictments issued by the Columbiana County Grand Jury were served this past weekend:

— Cody Landsberger, 32, Fairfield School Road, Columbiana, possession of a fentanyl-related compound, a fifth-degree felony, for allegedly possessing fentanyl on May 11, 2023.

— Cody L. McKinney, 36, Warren, five counts of nonsupport of dependents, a fifth-degree felony, for allegedly failing to pay support for two children from June 7, 2020 to June 5, 2022 and three children from May 31, 2020 to May 29, 2022.

Charles N. Gough, 27, Echo Dell Road, East Liverpool, aggravated possession of drugs, a fifth-degree felony, for allegedly possessing methamphetamine on Feb. 16, 2025 in an amount equal or greater than bulk but less than five times bulk.

Court News

LISBON — An East Liverpool woman must spend five days in jail for violating the terms of her probation for a 2021 case for illegal use of supplemental nutrition assistance program or WIC benefits.

Serena Lynn Miller, 34, Pennsylvania Avenue, appeared recently in Columbiana County Common Pleas Court for the probation revocation hearing for the case. She had been placed on probation after pleading guilty to a fourth-degree felony charge for her illegal use of SNAP or WIC benefits from March 1, 2019 to Sept. 30, 2020. The charge was originally a third-degree felony charge. At the time, she was ordered to make restitution of $9,215.