Skip to content

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

Ashland University's in-prison college program helps NEOCC felons 'be the best version of themselves they can be'

Ashland University's in-prison college program helps NEOCC felons 'be the best version of themselves they can be'

“They’ll just open doors to them that weren’t open before, [allowing] them to be able to take care of themselves better. It’ll allow them to not go back to their old ways," said Natalie Grant-Askew, school administrator at Northeast Ohio Correctional Center in Youngstown.
Read more >
UPDATE | Ohio EPA gives final OK for 800-acre Warren brownfield, soon to be owned by port authority

UPDATE | Ohio EPA gives final OK for 800-acre Warren brownfield, soon to be owned by port authority

Once ready for development, it will be the largest such site in the state's portfolio, port authority CEO John Moliterno said in May.
Read more >
Your Morning Matters: On Steinbeck, Slezak and noble creatures

Your Morning Matters: On Steinbeck, Slezak and noble creatures

New federal funding will keep a transit program for Trumbull's senior and disabled riders running through next year — but what about 2023?
Read more >
New federal funding will keep a transit program for Trumbull's senior and disabled riders running through next year — but what about 2023?

New federal funding will keep a transit program for Trumbull's senior and disabled riders running through next year — but what about 2023?

Instead of opting into the WRTA regional transit system, Trumbull County transit officials are focusing funding efforts on rides for seniors and the disabled. But there's still no dedicated funding on tap.
Read more >
Your Morning Matters: 1 in 350 Americans were there. Were you?

Your Morning Matters: 1 in 350 Americans were there. Were you?

Recent changes to federal loan requirements mean debt-saddled buyers have a bit more buying power.
Read more >
Those who still owe student loans now have more homebuying power under a new federal rule, Valley experts say

Those who still owe student loans now have more homebuying power under a new federal rule, Valley experts say

With this new rule change, an FHA loan may now be possible for someone who couldn't qualify months ago, or they "could get tens of thousands to $100,000 more, depending on the scenario,” Matt Moore of Amerifirst Poland said.
Read more >
Lawsuit claims East Liverpool officers allowed police dog attack to continue

Lawsuit claims East Liverpool officers allowed police dog attack to continue

Officers "stood idly by" or concealed their body cameras as an East Liverpool police dog "viciously attacked" a non-combative suspect for at least 30 seconds, according to a new civil lawsuit against the police department.
Read more >
Austintown awarded $50,000 from county for fire station repairs

Austintown awarded $50,000 from county for fire station repairs

Though the township had budgeted for the work, the extra county money gives officials a leg-up on other projects, they said.
Read more >
Your Morning Matters: Let's talk baseball

Your Morning Matters: Let's talk baseball

Ohio is among the 30 states that have yet to fully vaccinate at least half of their residents. Reporter Jess Hardin has the latest trends.
Read more >
While Lake Milton regularly reports contamination, sewer plans have been on the drawing board for at least 10 years

While Lake Milton regularly reports contamination, sewer plans have been on the drawing board for at least 10 years

Bacteria samples on the state park lake have surpassed the U.S. EPA's limit for E. coli at least eight times in the past 10 years, including this past May.
Read more >