Latest news with #MahoningCountySheriff'sOffice
Yahoo
4 days ago
- Yahoo
Money granted to 2 local law enforcement agencies to reduce crime
(WKBN) – Two local law enforcement agencies will be getting state money to help reduce crime. The Mahoning County Sheriff's Office is getting $35,000, while the Austintown Township Police Department is getting over $14,000. 'By supporting local law enforcement with assistance from new technology and equipment, at the same time we also help our communities to be safer places to live, work, and raise a family,' Lt. Gov. Jim Tressel said. It's part of the Ohio Violent Crime Reduction Grant Program, which provides funding for targeted programs and enhanced technology that help prevent and solve violent crimes. The money will also help pay for investigative overtime costs, new technology to support crime reduction and targeted patrols in high-crime areas, among other things. 'The crime reduction strategies funded by this latest round of grants are all focused on protecting residents and making communities safer,' Governor Mike DeWine said. A levy for the Austintown Police Department failed last fall, which has led to cuts. Another levy will be put on the ballot this November. The state is investing $3 million total across Ohio in this latest effort to reduce violent crime. Since the grant program started in 2021, over $84 million has been awarded to nearly 200 local law enforcement agencies. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
6 days ago
- General
- Yahoo
Prosecutors seek to revoke bond of rape suspect for allegedly contacting victim
YOUNGSTOWN, Ohio (WKBN) — Prosecutors Wednesday in Mahoning County Common Pleas Court asked a judge to revoke the bond of a man charged with three counts of rape because they say he contacted a victim in the case. Assistant Prosecutor Daniel Yozwiak said Matthew Nicholson, 46, of Columbiana, sent a Facebook message May 29 to a victim in the case despite a condition of his bond stating that he have no contact with any victims. Besides the three rape counts Nicholson is facing, which are all first-degree felonies, he also faces a second-degree felony charge of aggravated possession of drugs, a third-degree felony count of sexual battery and a first-degree misdemeanor count of receiving stolen property. Trial is set for Nov. 10 before Judge Maureen Sweeney. Nicholson's bond was originally set at $500,000 when he was arraigned Jan. 22 in common pleas court, but it was reduced Feb. 7 to $250,000, which he was able to post Feb. 11. Details of the charges have not yet been released, but the charges were filed after an investigation by the Mahoning County Sheriff's Office. A grand jury indicted Nicholson Jan. 17 via direct presentment, the same day he was arrested following a chase in Beaver Township. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
27-05-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
Gun lock giveaway aims to save lives
YOUNGSTOWN, Ohio (WKBN) – Can the use of a gunlock on a firearm help reduce the incidence of accidental shootings and suicide deaths? Organizers of free gun lock giveaways this week in Youngstown hope to do just that. Mahoning County Prosecutor Lynn Maro, the Mahoning County Sheriff's Office, and the Mahoning County Mental Health and Recovery Board obtained 350 gun locks through a grant program to give away. 'Even if it's one suicide we prevent by taking those few seconds to have to unlock the gun, then that certainly is worth taking the time to do these types of programs,' Maro said. 'We've already given some to other agencies such as Children Services, and we are working with Adult Protective Services. Organizers have been especially concerned with rising numbers of suicides ever since the COVID-19 pandemic. In 2024, Mahoning County recorded 56 suicide deaths, 33 involving firearms. As of the beginning of April 2025, there have already been 10 suicides, with six of those using guns. 'In speaking with the Mental Health and Recovery Board, they made the connection for me of the tie between gun locks and reducing suicide rates,' Maro said Once the locks have been distributed, officials will look at specific trends across the area. 'We do intend to go into these communities where we see the higher suicide rates, the accidental gun violence, and then hold some town halls in those communities,' Maro said. Another lock giveaway will be held Thursday from 1-3 p.m. at the Mahoning County Administration Building. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
23-05-2025
- Yahoo
Free gun lock distribution happening in Youngstown
YOUNGSTOWN, Ohio (WKBN) – Free gun locks will be distributed to residents next week. The distribution will be from 1 to 3 p.m. on Tuesday, May 27 and Thursday, May 29 at the Mahoning County Administration Building, located at 21 W. Boardman St. It is part of a partnership between the Mahoning County Prosecutor's Office, the Mahoning County Sheriff's Office, and the Mahoning County Mental Health and Recovery Board as part of Project ChildSafe, a national firearm safety education program. The gun locks were awarded to the sheriff's office, and the Mental Health and Recovery Board also received 200 gun locks from the Department of Veterans Affairs. According to a news release from the prosecutor's office, to date, 58% of suicide deaths this year in Mahoning County involved firearms. This joint operation aims to reduce gun-related incidents by encouraging secure firearm storage. According to the release, gun locks also help reduce suicide due to the time it takes to unlock the gun, which provides time for someone in a crisis to think about their actions. The release states that 53% of youth homicides involve firearms, and in 16% of unintentional firearm deaths involving children under 13, the gun was mistaken for a toy. Each gun lock kit includes a cable-style lock and a firearm safety guide. The locks are compatible with most firearms, including handguns, rifles and shotguns. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
21-03-2025
- Yahoo
Pregnant woman accused of trying to bite officer: Police
BOARDMAN, Ohio (WKBN)- A woman was arrested after a struggle with police in Boardman, according to a police report. On Thursday around 8:15 p.m., police tried to pull over a vehicle Kiarra Jackson, 28, was driving due to it not having a functioning rear license plate light. Police said Jackson pulled over in a driveway on Terrace Drive. Police said Jackson was found to have warrants for her arrest, including on misdemeanor charges of obstructing official business and possession of drug paraphernalia. She also had some misdemeanor traffic charges. Police said Jackson got out of the vehicle after she was asked to do so several times. Police said Jackson told them she was six months pregnant. Officers said she then began calling people on her cellphone and had a tight grip on it. Reports said police took the phone and said Jackson then began talking to someone on her Apple Watch and wouldn't let officers remove it. Police said that she attempted to bite an officer's hand/wrist area when the officer was removing the watch. In the vehicle, police reported finding drug paraphernalia, a handgun, methamphetamine and eight pills. Jackson is not allowed to possess a firearm due to her having an active protection order from the Mahoning County Sheriff's Office, the report stated. Jackson is in the Mahoning County Jail. According to court records, she is now also charged with felony counts of drug trafficking, drug possession, violating a protection order and having weapons under disability. She is also charged with a misdemeanor count of obstructing official business. Her arraignment is scheduled for Tuesday at 8:30 a.m. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
