News

Appeals filed in dismissal of sex-for-hire cases

Local News September 26, 2026

LISBON — Columbiana County Assistant Prosecutor Florence Turner filed appeals recently to challenge decisions by Municipal Court Judge Danielle Menning to dismiss two sex-for-hire cases over alleged discovery violations. The appeals were filed with the Seventh District Court of Appeals in cases involving Gregory John Winich, 64, New Brighton, Pa., and Christopher L. Delaney, 57, New Castle, Pa. In the case related to Winich, Turner listed for review whether the trial court abused its discretion by dismissing the criminal case as a sanction for an untimely disclosure of an item not ...

Hancock Commission adopts meeting procedures following record dispute

Local News September 26, 2026

NEW CUMBERLAND – Hancock County commissioners on Friday formally adopted Robert’s Rules of Order, following weeks of disagreement over the detail included in the official record of their meetings. Minutes from the commission’s Aug. 7 special meeting, and Aug. 14 and Aug. 28 regular ...

THE COURTS

Police & Courts September 26, 2026

Common Pleas NEW CASES Aaron Simko, Lower Elkton Road, Columbiana, and Margaret Simko, Benton Road, Salem; dissolution sought. Credit Acceptance Corporation, Southfield, Mich., vs. Raymond McCartney, Y & O Road, Wellsville; collection sought of alleged $11,822 debt. Absolute Resolutions Investments LLC, Bloomington, Minn., vs. Benjamin Adams, Hammondsville Road, Wellsville; collection sought of alleged $16,119 debt. Global Lending Services LLC, Greenville, S.C., vs. Michael Williamson, West Seventh Street, Salem; collection sought of alleged $15,566 debt. DOCKET ...

POLICE

Police & Courts September 26, 2026

Sheriff’s Office — Deputies were dispatched at 7:53 p.m. Thursday to Gamble Road at Sell Road, Center Township, for a person sitting in the middle of the roadway. A deputy made contact with the woman who was walking westbound on Sell Road and gave her a courtesy transport to her residence on Sell Road, Center Township. — A woman on Howell Road, Unity Township reported at 5:28 p.m. Thursday that she mailed a check for $80 through the mail on May 7, 2025 and on Sept. 17, 2026, the check was cashed for $370. — Jackson Township Police Department in Mahoning County called at ...

Jury trial set for Salem couple charged with raping two children

Local News September 26, 2026

LISBON — The jury trial for a Salem man charged with rape and multiple other sex-related acts involving two children over multiple years is now set for 9 a.m. Dec. 8. Mark E. Knight, 58, North Ellsworth Avenue, will face a final status hearing at 9:20 a.m. Nov. 23 in Columbiana County Common Pleas Court before Judge Megan Bickerton. Knight’s co-defendant, Jan M. McHenry, 40, also North Ellsworth Avenue, Salem, also has her jury trial set for 9 a.m. Dec. 8 before Bickerton, with her final status hearing at 9 a.m. Nov. 23. They both remain jailed under $100,000 cash or surety ...

Community Briefs

Community News September 25, 2026

NCTA Wampum Chapter announces fall schedule Wampum Chapter, North Country Trail Association has announced several upcoming fall activities and events. – On dates to be announced, the group will continue building bridges and digging trail on the new section off Middle Beaver Road in Elkton. All help is welcome and tools and instruction will be provided. – The group will be talking trail and helping people carve their own hiking sticks at Pioneer Days in Beaver Creek State Park on Oct 3. Last chance to carve a stick this year. – The group will need people to hold paintbrushes ...