Joint meeting set to discuss tax rates

Joint meeting set to discuss tax rates

LISBON

The budget commissions of Mahoning and Columbiana counties will meet jointly at 10 a.m. Monday in the Columbiana County Auditor’s office in the county courthouse in Lisbon to discuss tax rates in overlapping jurisdictions.

The matter concerns resolution of a complex dispute over sharing of real-estate and city income taxes between the city of Salem and Mahoning County’s South Range School District from a Home Depot store built about 10 years ago on Green Township, Mahoning County, land that was annexed to the city of Salem.

Salem entered into a tax-increment financing agreement with Home Depot in 2005. Salem straddles the Mahoning and Columbiana County boundary with portions of the city located in both counties.

The budget commissions consist of the auditors, treasurers and prosecutors of both counties. The two commissions previously met on this issue in Lisbon on Nov. 23.

Ralph Meacham, Mahoning County auditor, said the dispute likely concerns a net total of less than $20,000 in taxes, according to Ohio Department of Taxation calculations.

Shop With a Cop event planned

NEW SPRINGFIELD

Springfield Local Elementary School has selected 10 children to participate in Springfield Township’s Shop With a Cop event next Saturday.

Lunch will be provided at noon at the police station, 130 N. Fountain Ave., followed by shopping at Dollar General, 9065 Springfield Road, at 1 p.m.

Each officer who chooses to volunteer his or her time will be matched with a child, and each child will be given $100 to shop for toys.

Contact Chief Matthew R. Mohn at 330-542-2377 for information.

Pennsylvania man faces drug charges

CAMPBELL

A traffic stop Thursday evening led to the arrest of a Pennsylvania man on charges of possession of drugs and drug paraphernalia.

According to a police report, a city police officer stopped Dmarques Blanchard, 18, of New Castle Pa., on McCartney Road for having no rear license-plate light. He detected an odor of marijuana while talking to Blanchard.

After searching the vehicle, police found 11.8 grams of suspected marijuana and a scale, the report states.

Blanchard was released from the scene and will be arraigned Tuesday in Campbell Municipal Court on the misdemeanor drug charges.

Suspect sought in home invasion

CARLTON, PA.

A 22-year-old Meadville, Pa., man is being sought in a Thursday morning home invasion in French Creek Township, Mercer County.

Pennsylvania State Police are seeking Dylan Beach, who has been charged with burglary, criminal trespass, attempted robbery, attempted theft, aggravated assault and two counts of simple assault.

A 58-year-old Blair Lane man told police he began to open his door after hearing someone knock at 12:50 a.m.

A masked man pushed the door open and entered the home uninvited, pointing a gun at the victim and requesting keys for a safe.

As the two men struggled, the home occupant unmasked and identified the intruder, police said.

Warning that Beach is considered armed and dangerous, state police urged anyone who knows his whereabouts to call them at 724-662-6162.

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