Your trusted source for local Toronto, OH news, updated daily with the most important stories from your community.
A Richmond man faces a potential 15-year prison sentence after pleading guilty to burglary and other charges in Brooke County Circuit Court. Frank Arthur Stewart, of Short Creek, received a one to five-year sentence for fleeing law enforcement with reckless indifference. Both cases highlight ongoing issues with crime and safety in the region.
Brooke County school officials honored Ash Leigh Negri as Teacher of the Year for her engaging teaching style and dedication to her students. Additionally, Rick Schoonmaker received recognition as Service Personnel Member of the Year for his commitment as a bus driver. Both educators are now candidates for West Virginia Teacher of the Year.
Franciscan University of Steubenville graduated a record 907 students in the Class of 2025 during a ceremony at Finnegan Fieldhouse. Bishop Andrew Cozzens and Mary Rice Hasson delivered inspiring messages, encouraging graduates to embrace their faith and confront cultural challenges as they enter the world.
Indian Creek High School recognized nearly 50 students during its 44th Annual Scholars Banquet on May 4 for achieving a GPA of 3.5 or higher. Guest speaker Eric Hilty, an alumnus and Jefferson County Engineer, shared insights from his educational journey and emphasized the importance of perseverance and support from mentors. Awards included gold, silver, and bronze keys for academic excellence.
Oak Glen defeated Wheeling Central 5-4 to win the Class AA, Region 1, Section 1 championship after a tough regular season. Coach Sherrie Garner credited their challenging schedule for their resilience, as the team overcame a previous loss to the same opponent. Key performances included Riley Bruce's leadoff home run and a strong pitching effort from Mattie Carney.
The Hancock County Board of Education approved 13 textbooks for various subjects, including a new social studies curriculum for elementary levels, during a recent meeting. The board also declared two older school buses as surplus property.
Steubenville's Republican mayoral race remains tight, with Ralph Petrella leading Kimberly Hahn by just 10 votes after unofficial results. Provisional and absentee ballots could sway the final count, with a possible nine-vote shift, leaving Petrella with a narrow lead. Final results will be certified by the Jefferson County Board of Elections on Friday.
Steubenville City Council selected Ame Taggart and Rev. Jason Elliott to join the city manager credentialing committee. The committee will vet applicants for the city manager position, which will be filled after Jim Mavromatis retires in 2026. Councilman Joel Walker emphasized the importance of thorough resume checks and reference verifications.
Ralph Petrella leads the Republican mayoral primary in Steubenville by just 10 votes, with provisional and absentee ballots still pending. The Board of Elections will meet on May 16 to determine the validity of the provisional ballots, which could alter the outcome. The election results will be officially certified on May 22.
Follansbee voters will select between Rudolph Cipriani and Stephen Varlas for the 4th Ward Council seat in the June 10 election, following incumbent Frank Pedersen's decision not to run. Cipriani aims to restore financial stability and complete delayed upgrades to the city’s water and sewer systems, while Varlas focuses on property maintenance and improving public safety.