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 >>

     The Ohio Senate has passed Senate Bill 216, sponsored by Sen. Al Cutrona (R-Canfield), that designates a portion of State Route 7 (Market St.) in Boardman as the Clarence ‘Sonny’ Smith Jr. Memorial Highway.
      “Sonny Smith poured out his heart and soul to the Mahoning Valley,” said Sen. Cutrona. “His philanthropy across the community, especially to Youngstown State University and Boardman Township, affected the lives of countless Ohioans.
      “This bill recognizes a great citizen of the Boardman community.”
      Active in the Mahoning Valley, Smith was a strong supporter of Youngstown State University as well as Boardman High School. He he served as an elected member of the Boardman School Board from 1960-1971.
      A successful businessman, he was also a generous philanthropist for Youngstown State Universit...Read More >>

     BY JOHN A. DARNELL JR.
      associate editor
      Boardman Township will place three renewal property tax levies on the May primary ballot.
      Those tax issues are a 7/10-mill general fund issue, a 3-mill current expenses levy, and a 3.85-mill police issue.
      The 7/10-mill issue was first approved by the electorate in 1976 and generates some $260,000 a year.
      The 3-mill levy was first approved in 1976 and generates about $1.4 million a year.
      The 3.85-mill police issue, that was first approved in 2011, provides some $3.5 million a year.
      Approval of the renewal issues is needed to fund Boardman Township’s police, fire and road departments, especially when considering the township allowed a 2.5-mill current expen...Read More >>