Leetonia Chatter

04/06/2026

A significant legal decision by the Ohio Supreme Court has confirmed that harming stray outdoor cats is considered a criminal act of animal cruelty. This ruling places stray cats under the same protection as owned pets, reinforcing that their lives hold equal value under the law.

The decision marks an important step in animal welfare, addressing long-standing gaps in how stray animals are treated legally. By recognizing them as protected beings, authorities now have clearer grounds to act against abuse and neglect involving outdoor cats.

This ruling sends a broader message about responsibility and compassion toward all animals, regardless of ownership. It highlights a growing shift toward stronger legal protections and reinforces the importance of treating every animal with care and respect.

Source: Ohio Supreme Court ruling reports
Shared for informational/Educational purpose only

11/06/2025

The man accused of killing his ex-wife, former Leetonia teacher Michelle Long, is asking a court to block prosecutors from using all cell phone location evidence that allegedly links him to the crime

11/04/2025

Good afternoon!
It’s Tuesday & you know what that means!
It’s our queen of hearts drawing tonight at 8pm!♥️
We are Located in Leetonia, Ohio!
You can purchase tickets for one dollar till 7:30pm! 💰
May the odds be in your favor!🙌🏼
(We are open from 2pm-1am)
We have Miss LeeAnna behind the bar all day & evening!
Have a good & safe Tuesday!

05/23/2025

04/09/2025

05/30/2024

JOINT PRESS RELEASE

Today, May 29, 2024, Columbiana County Prosecutor Vito Abruzzino and Columbiana County Sheriff Brian McLaughlin announce that William Long, Jr. 50, of Lisbon, was indicted by the Columbiana County Grand Jury for aggravated murder, murder, discharging a firearm upon a roadway and firearm specifications in the November 29, 2023 shooting death of Long’s ex-wife, Michelle A. Long, 50.

Michelle Long was found deceased outside of her residence located on Carey Road in Butler Township. In the months following the incident, detectives from the Sheriff’s Office and investigators from the Major Crimes Task Force worked hand in hand, to review and process large amounts of digital and forensic evidence to attain today’s indictment from the Grand Jury. Prosecutors will ask for a $1.5 million bond.

“This case was very important to my office, and our detectives did an outstanding job getting it prepared to be successfully indicted by the Grand Jury,” said Sheriff McLaughlin.

“Michelle, her family, and the community all deserve accountability for this terrible crime, and I am confident this step will lead toward that end,” said Prosecutor Vito Abruzzino.

Prosecutor Abruzzino and Sheriff McLaughlin credit the work of their respective agencies and the Major Crimes Task Force, the Ohio Bureau of Criminal Investigation, the Columbiana County Coroner’s Office, and the Columbiana County Sheriff’s Office Special Response Team for their investigative work in this case.

Anyone with information about an active case in Columbiana County please contact our anonymous tip line at (330) 420-1050

05/15/2024