Court News

LISBON — An East Palestine man accused of submitting false claims for monetary reimbursement from Norfolk Southern related to the 2023 train derailment was placed under community control for three years.

Donald Bishop, 50, East North Avenue, entered a guilty plea to fourth-degree felony grand theft during a recent hearing in Columbiana County Common Pleas Court and was then sentenced to the community control, also known as probation.

He must also pay $13,763 restitution to Norfolk Southern.

Bishop was accused of receiving $13,763 from Norfolk Southern by means of deception after submitting hotel receipts for reimbursement between Feb. 28, 2023 and July 24, 2023 at the assistance center set up after the derailment and chemical fire.

Also in Common Pleas Court:

— Betty Jo Plumm, 44, Huston Road, East Liverpool, was sentenced to six months in prison for fourth-degree felony grand theft and fifth-degree felony possession of cocaine. A fifth-degree felony breaking and entering charge was dismissed. Plumm was accused of breaking into a man’s property and stealing two barge propellers valued at $30,000 each on Nov. 14, 2023 and possessing cocaine on Oct. 29, 2024.

Common Pleas

New Cases

County Treasurer, Lisbon, vs. Mark Steeb, West Salem Street, Columbiana, et al.; delinquent property tax foreclosure sought for East Duquesne Street, Columbiana property.

County Treasurer, Lisbon, vs. Thomas Lynch, Alpha Street, East Liverpool, et al.; delinquent property tax foreclosure sought for Alpha Street, East Liverpool property.

County Treasurer, Lisbon, vs. Eugene Fedak, state Route 170, East Palestine; delinquent property tax foreclosure sought for North Pleasant Drive, East Palestine property.

County Treasurer, Lisbon, vs. Amy Zimmerman, Cream Ridge Road, Lisbon, et al.; delinquent property tax foreclosure sought for Cream Ridge Road, Lisbon property.

County Treasurer, Lisbon, vs. Mark Cooper, Center Road, East Liverpool, et al.; delinquent property tax foreclosure sought for Oak Street, East Liverpool property.

County Treasurer, Lisbon, vs. Harvey Stoneking, Eighth Avenue, East Liverpool, et al.; delinquent property tax foreclosure sought for Eighth Avenue, East Liverpool property.

Ryan Everett, West Perry Street, Salem, vs. Brittany Everett, West 13th Street, Salem; divorce sought.

Loandepot.com, LLC, Plano, Texas, vs. Michael Kane, Palissey Street, East Liverpool, et al.; mortgage foreclosure sought.

Lakeview Loan Servicing, LLC, Coppell, Texas, vs. Donald Shorb Jr., East Sixth Street, Salem, et al.; mortgage foreclosure sought.

Docket Entries

Tax Ease OH V LLC vs. Steven Kohl, et al.; CHK Property Services Penn dismissed as defendant.

Jodi Baer vs. William Baer; divorce granted.

Grand Jury

LISBON — Edward Erhardt, 43, Youngstown, was served Tuesday with a secret indictment issued by the Columbiana County Grand Jury for aggravated possession of drugs, a fifth-degree felony, for allegedly possessing amphetamine on April 20, 2024.