Latest news with #WKBN27FirstNews
Yahoo
29-05-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Local police gather for solemn service
YOUNGSTOWN, Ohio (WKBN) – People on Youngstown's South Side may have noticed a lot of police sirens Thursday morning. A procession of police cruisers with flashing lights and sirens headed down South Avenue for the Police Memorial Service at Our Lady of Mount Carmel in Youngstown. The group gathered in the WKBN 27 First News studio parking lot before making the procession to downtown. Officers and others paid tribute to those who died in the line of duty since the 1800s, protecting the Mahoning Valley. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
28-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
SNAP scam enterprise busted in Ohio
(WKBN) — WKBN 27 First News has been reporting on the uptick in SNAP/EBT scams and stolen benefits originating from places all across the country. Now, an alleged enterprise in Ohio has been busted. A year-long investigation in the Columbus area ended in indictments against Ionut Bizga, 33, Doina Bacelan, 32, and Juan Hernandez, 26. Each was indicted for a pattern of corrupt activity and food stamp fraud. Arraignments are set for today. The fraud included the use of card skimmers, among other tools, to steal benefits, money and merchandise from SNAP recipients across Ohio, totalling at least $600,000, according to investigators. The trio was seen going into various businesses such as Sam's Club, BJ's Wholesale and other businesses where they spent hundreds of dollars in stolen benefits for energy drinks and candy, sometimes spending $3,000 in one visit, according to investigators, and then storing the items in storage units around Columbus. The items were then shipped out of state in box trucks and, on several occasions, sold to a local distributor. These suspects and several unidentified individuals were also observed installing credit card skimmers at stores in Ohio and Kentucky. A traffic stop on May 14 ended in the arrest of Bizga and Bacelan. A translator was used by U.S. Secret Service during their arrest. A search of the vehicle uncovered $62,600 in cash, several cold coins, gold jewelry, cell phones and suspected cloned credit cards. Investigators also searched the storage units connected to the suspects and found hundreds of cases of energy drinks and candy, among other items. Additional charges for multiple individuals are pending the identification of other suspects. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
16-05-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
‘I think I can beat Ramaswamy,' Tim Ryan says of governor's race
(WKBN) – Ohio voters will pick a new governor in November 2026. Governor Mike DeWine is term-limited Attorney General Dave Yost pulled out of the race Friday, saying the road to the GOP nomination has become too steep. WKBN 27 First News caught up with Democrat Tim Ryan Friday. He's a former Valley congressman and has been looked at as a possible candidate. Ryan said he has not made a decision yet but if he does enter the race, it'll be partly based on his 2022 Senate race. 'We did pretty well in the Senate race, and this may be a completely different environment, so there could be a chance to pull it off,' Ryan said. 'I think people forget we were up three to four onts against Vance at Labor Day, and we didn't get any money from D.C. He got $50 million bucks, and we weren't able to kind of keep it. So, I think we could run really well here. I think I could beat Ramaswamy, should I be able to get in the race in the right environment.' Ryan said he is concerned about what is going on in the state. In 2022, Ryan lost a bid for the U.S. Senate to JD Vance by more than six points. He served in the U.S. House from 2003 to 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
15-05-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
Bill targets affordability of EMS coverage for towns
(WKBN) – WKBN 27 First News has reported on local municipalities grappling with the affordability of providing EMS services to their residents. With a nationwide shortage of emergency medical services, cities and towns are looking for ways to make sure that ambulances are available when they are needed. Some local areas use private services while others staff ambulances through their fire departments. However, it's a costly endeavor. House Bill 274 would provide a mandate of EMS services for townships, villages and cities, just like what is ensured for police and fire protection, while creating grant money for those municipalities that combine or create formal shared services to save money for taxpayers. The incentive would include a $100,000 grant or 50% of operations for the first year following the combination of first responder departments. The lawmakers say this incentive will help to offset startup costs for new services and provide an incentive to decrease costs to taxpayers in the long run. The bill and the money it provides are sponsored by State Representatives David Thomas (R-Jefferson) and Thomas Hall (R-Madison Township). They say it's part of an effort to reform property taxes. By sharing services, the cost of ambulance service can be spread out. 'Our taxpayers cannot continue to pay for the equipment, personnel, and structures in every entity for each of our counties,' said Rep. Thomas. 'Our goal is to meet that reality with an encouragement to broaden the base of taxpayers contributing to the costs of services.' Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
24-04-2025
- Yahoo
Sharpsville woman takes plea deal in animal cruelty case
SHARPSVILLE, Pa. (WKBN) — A Sharpsville woman accused of neglecting a Great Dane has taken a plea deal. According to a criminal complaint, animal agents responded to the 300 block of West Main Street on March 25 for reports of an emaciated dog. Agents found a Great Dane of about two years old that weighed only 49 pounds. Reports state a Great Dane of this age should weigh between 100 to 120 pounds. The owner, Kendall Shellhorn, 34, said she had the dog since December and did not know why the dog was in this condition, reports said. The male dog had multiple sores that agents said would be from lying in a crate for long periods. Shellhorn told agents that she kept the dog in a metal crate because another dog was aggressive, the complaint stated. Another dog was found with five new puppies, which were removed at a later date. According to court records, Shellhorn pleaded guilty to two counts of neglect of animals. The aggravated cruelty to animals charge was withdrawn. She was sentenced to probation for two years and ordered not to own any pets or animals during the probation period. She will also have to pay $1,2297.25 in fines and court costs. Humane Society of Mercer County agent Paul Tobin tells WKBN 27 First News that the Great Dane has gained 26 pounds and is doing well. He also said the other dog and five puppies all have new homes. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
