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Vindy.com for December 31, 2015
Please note, our last day of publication was Saturday, August 31, 2019.
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Stories published December 31, 2015
Please note, our last day of publication was Saturday, August 31, 2019.
Cotton Bowl final: Alabama 38, Michigan State 0
Alabama (13-1) will meet Clemson (14-0) in the College Football Playoff title game on Monday, Jan. 11 at University of Phoenix Stadium in Glendale, Ariz.
US stocks end 2015 mostly flat, capping volatile year
US stocks end 2015 mostly flat, capping volatile year
Affluenza teen held at Mexican immigration holding center
Affluenza teen held at Mexican immigration holding center
Orange Bowl final: Clemson 37, Oklahoma 17
Bob Stoops' Oklahoma Sooners were shut out in the second half.
Ben Carson's staffers quit, question his readiness for the White House
Ben Carson's staffers quit, question his readiness for the White House
Puerto Rico reports its first mosquito-borne Zika case
Puerto Rico reports its first mosquito-borne Zika case
Cleveland mayor: Peaceful Tamir Rice protests can continue
Cleveland mayor: Peaceful Tamir Rice protests can continue
Fire breaks out near Dubai's New Year's fireworks display
Fire breaks out near Dubai's New Year's fireworks display
Oakhill Timeline - FEBRUARY 15, 2016:
Yavorcik provides a 24-page document from prosecutors given to him before his indictment outlining the prosecutors’ case against him.
Oakhill Timeline - FEBRUARY 12, 2016:
The judge agrees to let Yavorcik, an attorney since 1999, defend himself.
Oakhill Timeline - JANUARY 14, 2016:
At the request of Judge Burnside, prosecutors reduce the number of counts against the three defendants to 53. Prosecutors say it keeps the strongest charges in the indictment.
Oakhill Timeline - OCTOBER 27, 2015:
Prosecutors file their list of 86 potential witnesses to testify in the case. The number is reduced to 53 on Jan. 22, 2016.
Oakhill Timeline - OCTOBER 16, 2015:
The first public pretrial hearing in the case includes the revelation that Youngstown political consultant Harry Strabala admitted he secretly recorded Mahoning Valley politicians.
Oakhill Timeline - JUNE 14, 2015:
Prosecutors indict Sciortino in Mahoning County on 25 felonies: 21 counts of unauthorized use of property - computer or telecommunication property - and 4 counts of theft in office. He is accused of illegally using government-owned computers and software more than 300 time to raise money for political purposes to keep him in office, and for directing three of his employees to assist him. He pleads not guilty.
Oakhill Timeline - JANUARY 8, 2015:
A 100-page “notice of intent to use evidence” is filed by prosecutors that provides further details on the alleged crimes committed by the defendants.
Oakhill Timeline - NOVEMBER 5, 2014:
Sciortino is defeated by Republican Ralph Meacham in a re-election bid. Sciortino’s term ends Feb. 23, 13 days before it was to officially end, with a three-member panel of retired judge remove him early from office. He spent those final days on paid suspension.
Oakhill Timeline - JUNE 11, 2014:
A 145-page bill of particulars is filed by prosecutors that outline the specific charges against the three defendants.
Oakhill Timeline - MAY 14, 2014:
Ohio Attorney General Mike DeWine and Cuyahoga County Prosecutor Timothy McGinty announced a 83-count indictment against Youngstown Mayor John A. McNally, then-Mahoning County Auditor Michael Sciortino and attorney Marty Yavorcik. The charges include engaging in a pattern of corrupt activity, bribery, perjury, conspiracy, money laundering and tampering with records.
Oakhill Timeline - JULY 11, 2011:
A visiting judge dismisses a 73-count indictment without prejudice, meaning the charges could be refiled later. The case was dismissed by prosecutors because of their inability to obtain tape recordings from the FBI and provide them to the defense making it impossible to proceed.
Oakhill Timeline - JULY 29, 2010:
The grand jury returns a 73-count indictment charging seven people and three organizations with multiple felony and misdemeanor charges related to the relocation of the county’s Job and Family Services offices from Garland Plaza to Oakhill Renaissance Place.
Oakhill Timeline - FEBRUARY-JULY 2010:
A Mahoning County grand jury hears testimony and examines documents on Oakhill in at least 12 sessions with the special prosecutors, concluding its work this week. The grand jury, which was scheduled for a four-month session ending April 30, was extended twice at the request of the special prosecutors, but the county’s common pleas judges said the extension ending this week would be the final extension.
Oakhill Timeline - DECEMBER 2008:
The county moves its Veterans’ Service Commission from its Southside Annex to Oakhill.
Oakhill Timeline - NOVEMBER 2008:
At the request of Mahoning County Prosecutor Paul J. Gains, the county common pleas judges appoint Dennis P. Will and Paul M. Nick as special prosecutors to probe potential criminal conflict of interest related to the purchase of Oakhill.
Oakhill Timeline - JULY 2006:
The County buys Oakhill in U.S. Bankruptcy Court and keeps the city health department and coroner’s office there, but assumes responsibility for more than $900,000 worth of mortgages and liens, including a $430,000 Ohio Department of Development loan to SCDC and a real estate tax bill of about $400,000.
Oakhill Timeline - JULY 2007:
The County moves its department of Job and Family Services from the Cafaro Co.-owned Garland Plaza on the city’s East Side to Oakhill; and the Cafaro Co. loses in the bench trial of its lawsuit to rescind the county’s purchase of Oakhill. The trial judge orders County Auditor Michael V. Sciortino to immediately issue the $75,000 check for the former hospital. Sciortino does so.
Oakhill Timeline - MAY 2006:
SCDC files for Chapter 7 liquidation bankruptcy, threatening Oakhill tenants, including the Youngstown Health Department and Mahoning County coroner’s office, with possible eviction on short notice.
Oakhill Timeline - AUGUST 1999:
The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development releases a $1 million grant to convert the former hospital into a multi-tenant facility, which is renamed Oakhill Renaissance Place.
Oakhill Timeline - SEPTEMBER 1998:
Forum Health sells its former Southside Medical Center for $1 to the nonprofit Southside Community Development Corp.
North Jackson ex-minister's rape and gross sexual imposition conviction upheld
North Jackson ex-minister's rape and gross sexual imposition conviction upheld
Judges rule Boardman heroin evidence came from valid search warrant
Judges rule Boardman heroin evidence came from valid search warrant
Turnpike plazas offering free coffee to New Year’s travelers
Turnpike plazas offering free coffee to New Year’s travelers
Ohio credentialing system meant to improve emergency access
Ohio credentialing system meant to improve emergency access
Market Street bridge will be closed to motorists and pedestrians at noon
Market Street bridge will be closed to motorists and pedestrians at noon
December delight: It's warmest recorded in Valley
Temperatures will be above normal through the spring, according to the National Weather Service
Hollywood Gaming race course records record revenues
Staff report AUSTINTOWN The Ohio-Hollywood Gaming at Mahoning Valley Race Course reported record
Baby injured Dec. 15 dies of injuries
Father arrested last week for felonious assault waives hearing
Let Youngstown academic panel meet, state urges
The state has objected to the magistrate’s decision that the YEA has standing to challenge an academic distress panel appointment.
Cash, Benjamin lead YSU over Tennessee State
Sarah Cash scored a career-high 22 points and Indiya Benjamin had 11 points and six assists.
Late Herman Adams hailed as patriot, strong voice for veterans
With the death of the former commander of VFW Post 6488, the Youngstown community lost a patriot and strong voice for veterans, particularly black veterans from his generation who didn’t get the recognition they deserved.
High School sports | Results of Wednesday’s games
GIRLS BASKETBALL Austintown Fitch 81, Liberty 38 YOUNGSTOWN Natalie Lynn and Sabria Hunter
SPORTS DIGEST || Ohio State QB Jones declares for NFL draft
Ohio State quarterback Cardale Jones has announced he will skip his senior season and declare for the NFL draft.
Kasich, Legislature facing hot-button issues in ’16
There are plenty of issues that could put Gov. John Kasich and Republican legislative leaders at odds in the new year.
Judge pulls driver’s license Liberty man was not supposed to have
Was sentenced to a lifetime ban on driving
The year’s top local entertainment stories
The year’s top local entertainment stories THE SUMMER OF ‘BAR RESCUE’ By GUY D’ASTOLFO
‘Where Are U Now’ leads list of top songs
By MESFIN FEKADU AP Music Writer NEW YORK If The Associated Press could create its own “NOW”
A newcomer’s album beats out Lamar, Adele
By MESFIN FEKADU AP Music Writer NEW YORK More than hit singles, albums are works of art that
Late-night changes, ‘Empire’ top TV events
By FRAZIER MOORE AP Television Writer NEW YORK It’s been a year of shifting sands in late
2 arraigned in Christmas morning shooting
No one hurt; baby taken from mother who was driving given to grandparents
Struthers child rape case bound over to Mahoning Court court
A man is accused of sexually assaulting a 6-year-old girl.
New Youngstown lawmakers are ready to get to work
Four of the seven members are serving for the first time.
Poor ticket sales resulted in the cancelation of next month’s TEDxYoungstown event
It could be rescheduled, according to the event’s curator
Valley overflowed with losses, discoveries in 2015
Among the Top 10 news stories of 2015 chosen by Vindy editors and staff were the General Assembly voting to give control over the long-failing Youngstown school system to a CEO; sewer overflows after heavy June rain caused a massive fish kill in Lake Newport; and Corinne Gump, 10, and her grandparents died in a fire for which Robert Seman, the boyfriend of Corinne’s mother, was indicted on arson charges. The indictment came the same day Seman was to stand trial on charges he raped Corinne.
NEW THIS WEEK
NEW THIS WEEK The Hateful Eight (R) ss Shortly after the Civil War, an octet of dangerous
The Year of the Deal
Associated Press NEW YORK Companies around the world spent a record $5.04 trillion on
How shall we remember 2015? Or shall we try to forget it?
Opinion: It is always hard to know when a turning point has been reached, and usually it is long afterwards before we recognize it. However, if 2015 has been a turning point, it may well have marked a turn in a downward direction for America and for Western civilization.
Road Department suffers because of state law
Canfield Township’s road department is expected to suffer the most from the loss of estate tax
‘Spotlight’ film shined the brightest
By Michael Phillips Chicago Tribune So many images to remember, and to take our minds off Donald
Pep Boys agrees to be acquired by Icahn for $1 billion
Pep Boys agrees to be acquired by Icahn for $1 billion NEW YORK Carl Icahn is acquiring Pep
birthdays
birthdays Actor Anthony Hopkins is 78. Actor Tim Considine (“My Three Sons”) is 75. Actress Sarah
Friend of Calif. shooters is indicted
Friend of Calif. shooters is indicted RIVERSIDE, Calif. A friend of one of the shooters in the
Winter Celebration: The Forest
Winter Celebration: The Forest When: Through Jan. 3 What: Enjoy a stroll through a reimagined
Force a little spring while winter winds blow
By Pam Baytos OSU Ext. master gardener volunteer ‘Tis the season for amarylllis, little pots of
Bugs in the house?
Bugs in the house? Check your houseplants. If you brought in plants from outside, you may have
Judge ends stun-gun lawsuit
Associated Press COLUMBUS A federal judge has formally ended a lawsuit brought against a central
Understanding seed catalogs
Understanding seed catalogs From letters at the end of listings to notes about organic, what does
Tips on identification BIRD watching
By Nancy D. BRUNDAGE Ohio Certified Volunteer Naturalist When looking out into your yard or
oddly enough
oddly enough Asylum-seekers in Sweden fear refugee shelter is haunted STOCKHOLM Thirty-five
What are your garden plans?
What are your garden plans? Take a moment as the new year begins to think about your garden for
Become ’16 master gardener
Q. What all do you do as master gardeners? Is there a training class coming up? Lori from Boardman
Stoops, Sooners meet No. 1 Clemson today
From a protest in the spring to travel woes in the fall, Oklahoma coped with plenty of distractions on its way to the Orange Bowl.
Sheriff identifies inmates who died in jail
Associated Press PAINESVILLE A northeast Ohio sheriff’s office has identified two inmates who
Emerging from shadows, pot trade tries to build brands
Associated Press DENVER Snoop Dogg has his own line of marijuana. So does Willie Nelson. Melissa
Prosecutors defend urging no charges in Rice shooting
Prosecutors who recommended bringing no charges against two officers in the shooting of Tamir Rice said they were required to reveal to a grand jury they didn’t think a conviction was possible.
NIGHTLIFE
Apollo Maennerchor Club, 391 Dock St., Sharon, Pa. Fri: Steve Vuich, 8 p.m. Brewtus Brewing
Too much information a threat to the stability of democracies
Opinion: By Virginia Postrel Bloomberg View For most of Martin Gurri’s 29 years working for the Central
NEWSMAKERS
NEWSMAKERS Reruns and sports top last week’s viewing NEW YORK Football and reruns prevailed on
CD RATES
CD RATES The table shows the annual percentage yield as of Wednesday. All yields given in percent.
AUDITIONS
AUDITIONS ACTORS “A Man For All Seasons” by Robert Bolt, directed by Gerri Jenkins, Victorian
Selected local stocks
Selected local stocks STOCK, DIVIDENDCLOSECHANGE Alcoa Inc., .129.96—.17 Aqua America, .71
Weight Watchers stock soars as Oprah ad begins
Associated Press NEW YORK Weight Watchers is getting another boost from Oprah Winfrey. The
Ohioans said no to greed in 2015; greedy not fazed
Editorial: Without a doubt, defeat in November of the marijuana legalization issue by more than 1 million votes
College football: Are you ready for some football? Year 2 of the college playoffs unfolds today with
College football: Are you ready for some football? Year 2 of the college playoffs unfolds today with
POLICE CALLS IN HUBBARD, LIBERTY, GIRARD
POLICE CALLS A summary of recent criminal activity in Hubbard, Liberty and Girard: HUBBARD
‘Affluenza’ teen stays in Mexico; mom extradited
Associated Press MEXICO CITY The Texas teenager known for using an “affluenza” defense in a
mahoning county Indictments
A Mahoning County grand jury Wednesday indicted these people on these charges: James Brown, 36,
New Year’s What’s open/closed
A list of local, state and federal institutions and local businesses closed various days for the New
YEARS AGO
YEARS AGO Today is Thursday, Dec. 31, the 365th and final day of 2015. ASSOCIATED PRESS On
Bond set for man accused in beating
Bond set for man accused in beating YOUNGSTOWN Bond was set at $50,000 Monday in Youngstown
Poll finds split over who merits religious freedoms
Associated Press WASHINGTON Americans place a higher priority on preserving the religious
Turks, Belgians: Attacks foiled
Associated Press ANKARA, Turkey With less than 48 hours left in 2015, Turkey on Wednesday became
DECEMBER | Warmest
DECEMBER | Warmest This month will be the warmest December in the Mahoning Valley’s recorded
METRO DIGEST || Man pleads guilty to rape of child
Man pleads guilty to rape of child WARREN Jesse Young, 40, of Maryland Street Northeast,
US: Iran launched rocket near ships
Associated Press DUBAI, United Arab Emirates The U.S. on Wednesday accused Iran of launching a
Chicago mayor: Police reforms should make force last option
Associated Press CHICAGO Mayor Rahm Emanuel said Wednesday that Chicago police must be better
Cortland man sentenced to the county jail again for probation violation stemming from hit-skip
Steven J. Monolakis, 38, of Meacham Drive in Cortland, began serving 90 days in the Trumbull County jail Monday
Mourners honor NYC detective, soldier
Associated Press NEW YORK Joseph Lemm, a Nebraska country boy turned New York City police
Mahoning Valley Race Course: Wednesday’s results
RACE 1 $24,500 - 3 yo’s & up, 6F, MSW 8 Lucky T Lou (Magrell, J.)$8.60$4.00$2.80 2 Ray’s Legacy
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