BY JOHN A. DARNELL JR.
      associate editor
      With three renewal property tax issues on the May primary ballot and concerns over statewide efforts to abolish such taxes, Boardman Township officials expressed concern last week that if the levies fail, a reduction in police and fire services provided to the public will be considered.
      “We have three levies on for renewal right now, two of which are general fund, which we don’t like. One is actually a very specific levy, a 3.85 mill renewal for the police department. Those three levies combined represent about 34 per cent of our budget. So it’s very important that these get renewed, or we’re going to have to change service models,” Administrator Jason Loree said last week, adding “What does that mean?”
      Loree said without funds generated by the levies, th...Read More >>

     The 48th Mahoning Valley St. Patrick’s Parade will be held Sun., Mar. 15 with its walk down Market St., from the Boardman Township Government Center to Southwoods Dr. beginning at 1:00 p.m.
      The parade is one of the largest parades in the state of Ohio and draws some 25,000 spectators along its walk down Market St.
      Grand marshal for this year’s parade is Judy Higgins-Reardon, of Hunting Valley Dr. She is the youngest daughter of Jack Higgins and the former Barbara Ockerman.
      Her family has played a key role in the parade since it began. The Ockerman Award is named in honor of Judy’s uncle, William ‘Bill’ Ockerman, a founding member of the parade. The Ockerman Award is given each year to a parade marshal and acknowledges their commitment, service and contributions to the parade and the local Irish community. This year;’ Ockerman Award ...Read More >>

     The Boardman Township Police Department has been selected for accreditation through the Ohio Collaborative Law Enforcement Accreditation Program it was announced last week during the quarterly meeting of the Ohio Collaborative Community Police Advisory Board in Columbus.
      Gov. Mike DeWine created the program in 2024.
      Law enforcement agencies that participate in the Ohio Collaborative Law Enforcement Accreditation Program must meet 32 policing standards that address various core responsibilities in law enforcement such as professional conduct, bias-free policing, crisis intervention and community engagement. Standards also address policies surrounding criminal arrests, use of force, vehicular pursuits, appropriate policing of youth, patrol practices, record and evidence management, agency wellness and career development.
      24 agencies in Ohio th...Read More >>