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CCCTC enters into oil and gas lease

LISBON — The Columbiana County Career and Technical Center has entered into an oil and gas lease for 52.77 acres of district- owned land. During the May board of education meeting the board approved leasing the land to Hilcorp Utica, LLC of Houston, Texas, for $26,387. The five-year lease translates to roughly $500 per acre in revenue for the district. Additionally, the lease includes a 17 percent royalty to be paid to the district by Hilcorp for any oil and gas produced. The acreage consists of 10 parcels in Center Township and the lease allows for the drilling—horizontally, ...

Salem man accused of raping children to have competency evaluated

LISBON —A Salem man accused of rape and multiple other sex-related acts against two children was ordered evaluated for competency during a hearing Friday in Columbiana County Common Pleas Court. Mark E. Knight, 57, North Ellsworth Avenue, appeared via video from the county jail for the status hearing before Judge Megan Bickerton. His defense attorney, Terry Grenga, had filed a motion last month requesting a psychiatric evaluation and reiterated that request in court. When asked by the judge, county Assistant Prosecutor Steve Yacovone said he had no objection. Bickerton granted the ...

Summer Reading Program at the Lepper Library

LISBON — The Lepper Library is having its annual Summer Reading Program from June 8 to July 27. The theme for the 2026 Summer Reading Program, “Unearth a Story,” focuses on the excitement of discovery. Sponsored by the Collaborative Summer Library Program (CSLP), this initiative employs themes of dinosaurs, paleontology, and archaeology to inspire readers of all ages. It encourages everyone to delve into books and uncover hidden histories, local insights, and worlds waiting to be explored beneath the surface. This annual program is for all ages and is free to the public. ...

FOP Quaker Lodge honors fallen peace officers

SALEM — The Fraternal Order of Police (FOP) Quaker Lodge 88 held its annual National Peace Officer Memorial Service Thursday. “Today’s service is not a fundraiser nor a political event, but an opportunity to honor our fallen heroes,” FOP Quaker Lodge 88 President and retired Salem ...

Commissioners undecided on piggy back homestead tax exemption

LISBON — Columbiana County commissioners haven’t decided yet whether to enact what’s being called the piggy back homestead tax exemption, which could nearly double the current savings for property owners who qualify and receive the current homestead exemption. The issue was raised Wednesday by former county commissioner Dave Cranmer, who talked about the property tax relief enacted by the legislature and how the power was given to county commissioners on whether the homestead exemption relief should be granted. He explained that March 20 was the effective date for the rule ...

Applications for downtown funds open June 1

LISBON — The application periods for the new Downtown Building Renovation and Downtown Signage Programs open June 1 through the Columbiana County Port Authority for businesses and building owners in the county’s walkable downtowns. “We are excited to see this program move forward and look forward to supporting continued investment and revitalization throughout our downtown communities,” CCPA Executive Director Brittany Smith wrote in her director’s report for the CCPA board’s recent meeting. The programs were first announced back in April when the board voted to accept a ...