News from around the region

From courthouse developments and local government decisions to public safety and business news, here's a look at some of the latest headlines from across the wider Ohio Valley region, Youngstown and Pittsburgh.

COLUMBIANA COUNTY 

Trial delayed in death of pregnant East Liverpool woman

LISBON — A Columbiana County judge has postponed the trial of an East Liverpool-area man accused of fatally striking his pregnant girlfriend with a vehicle.

Cameron Martin appeared in court Monday, Oct. 19, when his trial was rescheduled for March 9.

Martin faces two first-degree felony counts of involuntary manslaughter and additional charges connected to the death of Stephanie Householder, 21.

The postponement gives prosecutors additional time to retain an accident reconstruction expert whose findings could play a role in the case.

Martin has not been convicted of the charges.

Drug task force search yields suspected fentanyl, meth

EAST LIVERPOOL — Suspected fentanyl, methamphetamine and other illegal substances were recovered from a Bradshaw Avenue apartment during an Oct. 15 drug investigation.

The Columbiana County Drug Task Force executed a search warrant at the residence with assistance from several municipal police departments.

Investigators reported discovering what they believe to be fentanyl, methamphetamine, psilocybin mushrooms and assorted pills. Some pills are suspected of containing fentanyl, while others appeared to be prescription medications possessed illegally.

Police departments in East Liverpool, Wellsville, Salem, Lisbon and Columbiana participated in the operation.

No arrests or charges were identified in an Oct. 19 report on the investigation.

Plans move forward for East Palestine emergency training center

EAST PALESTINE — A proposed training facility designed to prepare emergency personnel for railroad accidents and hazardous materials incidents took another step forward Thursday, Oct. 15.

State officials joined representatives of Youngstown State University and Norfolk Southern to present preliminary plans for the YSU RAPID Center.

The facility is intended to provide specialized instruction for firefighters, law enforcement officers, emergency medical workers and other first responders.

Norfolk Southern has committed to donating four rail cars that could be used for emergency response exercises.

The project emerged following the February 2023 train derailment in East Palestine. A permanent site has not yet been announced.

BELMONT COUNTY

Jury selection approaches in double-homicide trial

ST. CLAIRSVILLE — The prosecution of a man charged with killing a Belmont County couple in 2021 is scheduled to enter the jury selection stage Wednesday, Oct. 21.

Andrew Isaac Griffin faces aggravated murder charges and death penalty specifications in connection with the deaths of Thomas and Angela Strussion.

The couple was found dead Sept. 21, 2021, inside their Trails End Drive home after emergency personnel responded to a report of smoke.

Griffin, a former business associate of Thomas Strussion, was arrested in Hawaii in February 2025 following an extended investigation.

Prospective jurors are scheduled to report to Belmont College on Wednesday and Thursday, with opening trial proceedings anticipated Oct. 26.

Common Pleas Judge Chris Berhalter is presiding. Griffin is presumed innocent unless proven guilty.

Union Local to pay $300,000 in football game dispute

ST. CLAIRSVILLE — A federal lawsuit stemming from a confrontation between a Union Local assistant football coach and a spectator at a 2024 football game has ended in a $300,000 settlement.

The Union Local School District agreed to the payment to resolve civil-rights and state-law claims filed by Belmont County resident Brent Gay against the district and assistant coach Vaughn Butler.

According to the lawsuit, Gay was attending an Oct. 25, 2024, game against Barnesville when he questioned Butler at halftime about whether he had watched game film during the week. Union Local was trailing 41-0 at the time. Gay alleged Butler responded by shoving him to the ground, causing injuries that required emergency room treatment.

The settlement also includes a federal consent judgment prohibiting the district from enforcing a spectator policy found to be unconstitutional.

Gay's attorney, Subodh Chandra, argued that public school employees must respect spectators' First Amendment rights, including their right to criticize coaches. The agreement followed Gay's motion for summary judgment, which cited deposition testimony from Butler and school officials.

WASHINGTON COUNTY 

Mother, son plead not guilty in student-athlete's killing

WASHINGTON, Pa. — A mother and son charged in the death of a young woman preparing to attend PennWest California University have entered not guilty pleas.

Royce Moser and his mother, Rachel Moser, appeared for arraignments Tuesday, Oct. 13, in Washington County.

Royce Moser is accused of fatally stabbing his girlfriend, Karoline Heintz, in August. Prosecutors allege Rachel Moser helped conceal evidence of the crime.

Heintz's body was discovered inside a vehicle near the California Public Library.

The victim was preparing to attend PennWest California, where she was a member of the women's soccer team and hoped to pursue a medical career.

Washington County District Attorney Jason Walsh has requested a jury trial.

Both defendants remain presumed innocent.

OHIO COUNTY

Methamphetamine sales near playground bring five-year prison sentence

WHEELING — A Wheeling man has received a five-year federal prison sentence for distributing methamphetamine near Heritage Port Playground.

Matthew Luff, 42, sold more than 13 grams of the drug near the public recreation area, according to the U.S. Attorney's Office for the Northern District of West Virginia.

Federal prosecutors announced the sentence Thursday, Oct. 15.

Authorities said Luff had previous convictions involving burglary, drug trafficking, drug possession and obstruction of justice.

The Drug Enforcement Administration and Ohio Valley Drug Task Force investigated. U.S. District Judge John Preston Bailey handled the case.

MARSHALL COUNTY

Cameron man convicted in child sexual abuse material case

MOUNDSVILLE — A Marshall County jury has convicted a Cameron man following a two-day trial involving child sexual abuse material discovered on a cellphone.

Devon Eckard, 29, was found guilty Friday, Oct. 16, of the felony offense of distributing and exhibiting material depicting minors engaged in sexually explicit conduct.

Marshall County Prosecutor Joe Canestraro said investigators uncovered the material after a cellphone was seized during a traffic stop in Glen Dale.

Authorities reported finding hundreds of images and videos involving child sexual abuse. The National Center for Missing and Exploited Children assisted with identifying previously documented material.

The case was prosecuted in Marshall County Circuit Court.

YOUNGSTOWN

Youngstown man admits to investment fraud

YOUNGSTOWN — A fraud investigation involving approximately $460,000 has resulted in five felony guilty pleas from a Youngstown man.

Brandon Kovach, 35, appeared in Summit County Common Pleas Court on Oct. 15 and admitted to telecommunications fraud, aggravated theft, securing writings by deception, money laundering and grand theft.

The Ohio Department of Commerce said the case involved money obtained from an investor between August 2019 and December 2021.

Investigators determined Kovach diverted the funds for personal purposes rather than making the promised investments.

Sentencing is scheduled for April 15, 2027.

PITTSBURGH

Police chief discusses investigations into officers' use of force

PITTSBURGH — Pittsburgh Police Chief Jason Lando said Friday, Oct. 16, that outside assistance is being used to review an arrest that left a man injured Downtown.

The investigation involves the arrest of Roy Cosby, 31, who was repeatedly struck by an officer during an encounter near Fifth Avenue and Wood Street.

Authorities said the incident followed a disturbance involving a public transit bus. An officer reported believing Cosby was reaching toward his waistband, although no weapon was recovered.

The officer involved was reassigned to administrative duties while the incident is investigated.

The city's Citizen Police Review Board also is examining the circumstances.

Second arrest involving use of force under investigation

PITTSBURGH — A separate investigation is examining the actions of Pittsburgh police officers during an arrest near the David L. Lawrence Convention Center.

City officials confirmed Monday, Oct. 12, that investigators were reviewing an incident in which a woman was pushed to the pavement while handcuffed.

The encounter occurred near 10th Street and Penn Avenue.

Video of the incident prompted questions about the officers' actions and whether the force used was appropriate.

The Office of Municipal Investigations is reviewing the matter. The case is separate from another Downtown arrest that also remains under investigation.

Suspicious letter brings bomb squad to senator's office

PITTSBURGH — Emergency crews responding to a suspicious item at U.S. Sen. Dave McCormick's Downtown office Monday, Oct. 19, determined there was no danger to employees or the public.

Police, firefighters, hazardous materials personnel and bomb technicians responded to the Grant Building at 310 Grant St. after staff discovered a letter containing an unidentified item.

Pittsburgh Fire Chief Matt Davis said investigators found no hazardous substance in the letter.

Authorities said the item was cleared after examination, and the FBI was expected to take possession of it for additional investigation.

No injuries were reported.