Breaking News

Local News

Former chaplain appeals plea, sentence for child porn possession

LISBON — The former hospital chaplain sentenced to 25 to 27 years in prison for downloading, printing and possessing 12,000-plus images of children engaged in sex acts is appealing his plea and sentence. Sabella, 38, formerly of Beloit with a current address in Youngstown, entered a guilty plea in May and was sentenced in July for six counts of second-degree felony pandering obscenity involving a minor or impaired person and 50 counts of fourth-degree felony pandering obscenity involving a minor or impaired person. During his sentencing, he apologized to the many unknown child ...

Illinois man caught in sex sting pleads guilty to child porn possession

LISBON — An Illinois man charged for allegedly possessing images of child pornography after being caught in a sex-for-hire sting in 2024 entered a guilty plea Wednesday. Vincent John Bianconi, 36, last known address Chicago Heights, Ill., appeared in Columbiana County Common Pleas Court before Judge Scott Washam and was supposed to be facing a trial, but instead opted for a plea. He was accompanied by his attorney, Lawrence Stacey II. According to county Assistant Prosecutor Christopher Weeda, Bianconi pleaded guilty to three counts of pandering obscenity involving a minor or ...

New pretrial set for man accused of causing child’s death

LISBON — A new pretrial hearing is set at 10:20 a.m. Sept. 4 in the case against a former Negley man involving the death of a child in 2024. Seth T. Hildebrand, 20, whose address in court records is now listed as Birch Road, East Liverpool, was originally set to appear for a pretrial hearing on Aug. 14, but was changed due to a scheduling conflict for his defense attorney. Hildebrand last week entered a not guilty plea during arraignment for involuntary manslaughter and endangering children for allegedly causing the death of a 2-year-old child in December 2024. He’s out of jail ...

On the calendar

FRI/8-7 Boardman DARE Singles Group, Card Night at Perkins, 5 p.m.; information at 330-729-0127 Calcutta St. Clair Township trustees, 7:30 a.m., government building; special meeting to consider compensation of a public employee Columbiana Good As New Shoppe, Methodist Church, 210 S. Main St., 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.; 50 percent off entire store. NO SALES TAX WEEKEND. American Red Cross blood drive, 10 a.m. - 3 p.m., Columbiana American Legion Post 290 Historical Society of Columbiana & Fairfield Township Log House Museum open 2-4 p.m. East Liverpool VFW Post 66 Bingo, 6:30 p.m.; ...

Salem Summer Concert Series to feature New Wave Nation

This Sunday’s free concert at Waterworth Memorial Park in Salem will feature New Wave Nation. The band, which was founded in 1998, is dedicated to recreating the iconic music of the 1980s. New Wave Nation will take crowd members back in time to the “Decade of Decadence.” Their constantly ...

Community Briefs

Mile Branch Grange ham loaf dinner Mile Branch Grange, 495 Knox School Road, Alliance, will hold a drive-thru ham loaf dinner from 5 p.m. until sold out Thursday, Aug. 13. The meal includes ham loaf, scalloped potatoes, green beans, cole slaw and brownie for $12. No preorders. All meals will be first-come, first-served. MVHS program to feature Canfield Fair history The Mahoning Valley Historical Society will feature the history and legacy of the Canfield Fair from Fair Board Directors George Roman III and Elwood Woolman during its Bites and Bits of History at noon Thursday, Aug. 20, ...