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Justin Dennis

Justin Dennis

Justin Dennis has been on the beat since 2011, publishing daily reports on crime, courts and public education, keeping an eye on government spending and chicanery, and always hunting for a fresh lead. Most recently, Dennis wrote for The Vindicator, covering Mahoning County government and courts, as well as municipal goings-on in Austintown and Canfield. Dennis grew up in Poland and Salem, and graduated from Salem High School. He studied journalism and communications at Cleveland State University and University of Pittsburgh.

Email
justin@mahoningmatters.com

Recent Work by Justin

DeWine: Rejecting the COVID-19 vaccine is a 'high-risk gamble'

DeWine: Rejecting the COVID-19 vaccine is a 'high-risk gamble'

Cleveland State University’s Wolstein Center mass vaccination clinic can inoculate 6,000 people each day, but only took in 2,000 walk-in patients last week, according to Gov. Mike DeWine's office.
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How a shrinking Rust Belt city like Youngstown struggles with wastewater 'sins of the past'

How a shrinking Rust Belt city like Youngstown struggles with wastewater 'sins of the past'

“The problem is Youngstown’s no longer the size of the city it was when all of this infrastructure was put in place,” Kyle Miasek, the city’s finance director, told Mahoning Matters.
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Report: Youngstown wastewater delay invites $700K fine

Report: Youngstown wastewater delay invites $700K fine

Parts of the city's $160 million long-term plan to correct sewer overflows are behind schedule, according to EPA records.
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Your Morning Matters: So far, dream house is just a dream

Your Morning Matters: So far, dream house is just a dream

Reporter Ellen Wagner and photojournalist Bill Lewis sat down with the three Democratic Party candidates for Youngstown mayor in recent days.
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Mahoning Valley Campus of Care aims to bring families home, 'keep kids close'

Mahoning Valley Campus of Care aims to bring families home, 'keep kids close'

Officials said it's hard to tell where the former Youngstown Developmental Center clientele went after the state shuttered the facility in 2017, forcing residents to follow much-needed services out of the area.
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Bill would prohibit 'vaccine passports' for government, but not businesses

Bill would prohibit 'vaccine passports' for government, but not businesses

"A vaccine should not be mandated or required by our government for our people to integrate back to a sense of normalcy," state Rep. Al Cutrona said last month.
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Federal grants are a 'lifeline' for sinking live venues, local operators say

Federal grants are a 'lifeline' for sinking live venues, local operators say

The U.S. Small Business Administration is administering a $16 billion program to save American stages. After a rough 2020, several Valley operators plan to take advantage.
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Ohio has suspended the Johnson & Johnson vaccine. Here's what happens next

Ohio has suspended the Johnson & Johnson vaccine. Here's what happens next

Gov. Mike DeWine said the pause gives health officials time to identify cases of a rare blood clotting disorder that six women nationwide developed after receiving the single-shot vaccine.
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Canfield Fair live events in doubt as Ohio's goal for new COVID-19 cases slips further out of reach

Canfield Fair live events in doubt as Ohio's goal for new COVID-19 cases slips further out of reach

“It’s virtually impossible to do large-scale entertainment with social distancing restrictions in place," said Eric Ryan, president of JAC Management, which schedules Canfield Fair live shows.
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Will the Canfield Fair be safe? County health officials expect 'all hands on deck'

Will the Canfield Fair be safe? County health officials expect 'all hands on deck'

“We always work with the fair to ensure it’s a safe and healthy fair each year. It won’t be any different this year,” said county Health Commissioner Ryan Tekac.
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