Police chief updates St. Clair Township trustees on sale of vehicle

July 29, 2026

CALCUTTA — St. Clair Township officials Monday updated the trustees on the sale of vehicles. Police Chief Brian McKenzie told the trustees that the department had posted a notification on social media for sealed bids for an unmarked car no longer useful to the department and previously authorized for sale. McKenzie also noted that he had received a check from Alcatraz Body Modifications for approximately $900 for the sale of old firearms that were traded in or sold, and that would go to offset the cost of the new firearms the department has. McKenzie also said the department ...

Counselor warns staffing levels may fall short of student needs in Hancock County

July 29, 2026

NEW CUMBERLAND — With a packed agenda of personnel matters before them, members of the Hancock County Board of Education heard concerns about the availability of counselors and other student support positions for the coming school year. Sherrie Garner, who cited 33 years of experience in ...

Port Authority working with East Palestine to develop industrial park

July 29, 2026

LISBON — The village of East Palestine and the Columbiana County Port Authority are partnering up to develop an 85-acre parcel of land into an industrial park just north of the village, north of state Route 14 off of Howell Road in Unity Township. “We’ve been working with the village and believe this will be very important towards the economic recovery,” CCPA Executive Director Brittany Smith said. During the CCPA Board of Directors meeting Monday night, the board authorized Smith to negotiate a development agreement with the village of East Palestine and the East Palestine ...

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 ...

Parole hearing slated for former Hancock Co. Sheriff’s deputy

July 28, 2026

NEW CUMBERLAND — A former Hancock County sheriff’s deputy who was sentenced to prison in February for possession of child pornography could be released as early as Aug. 5. That’s when a parole hearing has been scheduled for Patrick J. Hoder. Circuit Judge David Sims on Feb. 5 had sentenced the 57-year-old Hoder to two years in prison after the former K-9 handler had agreed to plead guilty to one count of possessing material visually portraying minors engaged in sexually explicit content. The plea deal, which had been reached Nov. 7, stipulated that Hoder would be sentenced ...

Beaver Local superintendent responds to property tax reduction

July 28, 2026

CALCUTTA — An additional property tax reduction effective next year will have an impact on the Beaver Local School District. District Superintendent Eric Lowe briefed the board of education on the impact during the July meeting. The 2.5 percent reduction in the owner occupancy property tax was recently approved by Columbiana County Commissioners. Under this reduction, which is payable in 2028, homeowners will save $25 for every $1,000 in property taxes. “This tax break is set to last for only one year, but commissioners suspect it will last longer,” Lowe said, reiterating ...