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United Local starts work on Capital Plan

HANOVERTON — The United Local School District is beginning work on a Capital Plan for the district. The idea for a Capital Plan was broached by Board of Education member RuthAnn Rinto in June. At that time, District Treasurer Melissa Baker said that she and Superintendent Lance Hostetler agreed there is a need for a Capital Plan. According to minutes of that meeting, Rinto suggested the district begin with the Transportation Department in September and have a document completed by April of 2027. In July the board met and approved items for the upcoming school year, including a ...

County ESC approves changes in treasurer personnel

LISBON — The Columbiana County Educational Service Center (ESC) has hired a new treasurer and is also working to improve the Opportunity School. Current Treasurer Lucas Cooper’s resignation was approved by the ESC board in June. During a special meeting of the board in July the board approved hiring Sean Gaffney as his replacement. Cooper submitted his resignation in order to accept a position with the West Branch Local School District. Cooper served as ESC Treasurer since 2022 and will continue through July 31, which is when his resignation takes effect. In the meantime, ...

Appeals court upholds sentence of former teacher convicted of having obscene images

YOUNGSTOWN (WKBN) — The Seventh District Court of Appeals this week upheld a 25-year sentence given to a former teacher who pleaded guilty in Columbiana County Common Pleas Court to having obscene images of children. The appeals court said that 25 consecutive 12-month sentences given to 70-year-old James Watt in January by Judge Megan Bickerton after he pleaded guilty to 45 counts of pandering obscenity involving a minor were proper. Watt had appealed the sentences being consecutive, saying that his sentence should be remanded because the judge could not show that the trial court ...

Beaver Local prepping for golf outing, Back to School Bash

LISBON — The Beaver Local School District annual Golf Outing is quickly approaching and the district is also preparing for the next school year with the Back to School Bash. The 17th annual Golf Outing is scheduled for Aug. 1 at Turkana Golf course in East Liverpool. The outing is sponsored by the Red, White and Athletic Association, Inc. and raises funds for the district’s student athletes programs. The Back to School Bash is scheduled for Aug. 17 and is currently still in the planing stages. The bash is held at the school campus and features many family-friendly ...

Salem traffic light to be replaced with hybrid

SALEM — The traffic signal at the intersection of North Lincoln Avenue and East Sixth Street will be replaced with a hybrid signal. During city council’s meeting Tuesday, council voted unanimously to approve a resolution authorizing the Ohio Department of Transportation (ODOT) to replace the current traditional four-way traffic signal with a “pedestrian hybrid beacon.” City Councilwoman Jayne Bricker asked why the signal was being changed by ODOT, citing concerns about the volume of traffic in the area during school dismissal due to its close proximity to the Salem High ...

East Liverpool superintendent shares summer achievements and back to school preparations

EAST LIVERPOOL — The East Liverpool schools superintendent recently provided board members with highlights of summer achievements and an update on back to school preparation. Superintendent Jonathan Ludwig shared the information with board members during Thursday East Liverpool City Schools Board of Education meeting, starting by welcoming to the district the new staff members who were present. Ludwig then shared how East Liverpool students continued to excel in athletics, academics, music and innovation over the summer. He congratulated Arionna Olmdsted-Huffman for her ...