School board candidates listed for Nov. 4 election across area districts

Most local races are uncontested, with seats open in Carrollton, Brown, Conotton Valley, Minerva, Sandy Valley, Southern and Edison districts

Don Rutledge Don Rutledge FPS Staff Writer

Published October 30, 2025 - 9:00 a.m. Modified November 6, 2025 - 9:58 a.m.

There are no contests for the two seats on the Carrollton Exempted Village School District and Brown Local boards of education in the Nov. 4 election.

Unopposed candidates

Carrollton Exempted Village (two to be elected) — Savannah Harris, Ernest Steven Pridemore Jr.

Brown Local (two to be elected) — Tami Hulit, Jordan Z. Wade

Conotton Valley (two to be elected) — Nicole Bower, Jason Galigher, Shawn Leggett

Minerva Local (three to be elected) — Susan Crawford, Thomas M. Freeland, Roger P. Herstine, Tara Lawson, Donald J. Spinell

Sandy Valley Local (two to be elected) — Amie Snyder, Ike Winters

Southern Local (three to be elected) — Scott Hart, John R. Sawyer, Elizabeth Weston, Jeremiah Cole

Edison Local (three to be elected) — Anna Ault, Aaron A. Richardson, Ronald L. Smyth

Stark County Educational Service Center Governing Board (three to be elected) — Jim Holmes, Fran Miller, Daniel Wales

Local government officials seated at a table during a meeting.

County highlights foster care shortage during proclamation

JFS workers promote awareness, upcoming informational meeting

Council approves data center moratorium

Village cites concerns over water use, infrastructure and community impact

Personnel contracts approved by Minerva Board of Education

The next meeting was set for Monday, May 18, at 6 p.m. in the administrative office

Pesta and Allison reign as CHS prom queen and king

About 237 promgoers attended the dress-up event with the theme, 'Be Our Guest'

View Community Calendar

Find us on Facebook

The Free Press Standard

THE LATEST

Local

Office desk with a laptop, calculator, and financial report.

Carroll County board reviews key reports and updates

Ohio Department of Developmental Disabilities Director Lyndsay Nash announced the Ohio Individual Service Plan web-based system will end July 1

Two students holding certificates in a room.

Conotton Valley students receive youth achievement award

The students were nominated for demonstrating all-around excellence in citizenship, leadership, scholarship and sportsmanship

Seniors posing together outdoors under a tree.

Garden club visits Terra Depot nursery

The nursery specializes in native perennials and trees for insects and birds

Students with raised hands in a classroom setting.

Area teachers recognized at education ceremony

Two teachers from each of the 22 school districts were honored, including Teachers of the Year and Rookies of the Year

Candidates file for party central committees in Carroll County

A central committee person is the elected representative of the people at the most local level

Pregnancy center announces open house in Carroll County

Commissioners also approve EMA exercise, hear sewer system report

Volunteers handling American flags in a workshop.

Minerva Rotary prepares flags for 2026 postings

Flags are posted from Memorial Day through the Fourth of July and Labor Day through Veterans Day

Sports

Softball player swings bat in action on the field.

Malvern teams battle through challenging week

Hornets find moments amid tough stretch

Baseball players in action at Carrollton Warriors field.

Carrollton teams post strong week across sports

Warriors pile up wins on diamond, boys edge Minerva on track

Baseball player swings at a pitch during a game.

Minerva teams battle through busy week

Minerva teams face challenges in a packed sports week

Youth baseball player swings at a pitch.

Warriors baseball bounces back after rare home loss

A reminder that baseball doesn’t always follow a script

Malvern track excels at Lidderdale Invitational

Malvern turned depth into production, with the boys finishing third and the girls taking fourth

Athlete jumping over a high jump bar at a track event.

Minerva track teams post strong finishes despite short-handed roster

Even with limited numbers, they found their way into scoring positions across the board

A glove, softball, and bat on a dirt field.

Minerva baseball and softball deliver wild week

Minerva Lions packed plenty into a few days, and made sure nobody got bored along the way

Public Record

Sandy Valley School Board approves contracts for next school year

The board also approved a graduation list for 106 seniors in the Class of 2026 and a fundraiser for the Class of 2026

Carroll County voters to decide May primary

There is one contested political race for the Jan. 1, 2027, term of Carroll County commissioner

Four individuals in a meeting room holding a document.

Williams donates $10,000 to Carroll County EMA for drone program

County officials say drone will improve response times and safety for first responders

Students seated in an auditorium during a public forum.

Supreme Court of Ohio visits Carrollton schools for off-site session

Students from area districts observe oral arguments during off-site visit

Pedestrian crossing sign in a rural setting

Malvern Council discusses park improvements, funding frustrations

Council members expressed frustration with a lack of progress from county officials regarding potential grant funding

Bowerston Council hears first reading of water surcharge increase

The surcharge is currently $14.50, and the new ordinance will bring that amount to $34.50

Carroll County grand jury returns 5 indictments

Drugs, alcohol, sexual involvement comprise grand jury indictments

Life and Learning

BCC HOSA students qualify for international competition

All five students will compete next at the HOSA International Leadership Conference from June 17-20 in Indianapolis

Malvern Historical Society seeks photos for 2027 calendar

Officials said the goal is to capture the spirit of what it is like to live in the small town

Close-up of sheet music with musical notes.

Carrollton band to perform at state contest

Ohio Music Education Association’s state contest to be held at GlenOak High School

Hand writing on a green chalkboard with a yellow marker.

Retired teachers hold first meeting of year

Winters highlights career, members discuss scholarships

Carroll County recognizes nonagenarians during May observance

The list highlights the longevity and contributions of Carroll County residents across generations

Hands holding Bibles in a prayer circle.

Waynesburg church to host National Day of Prayer

The event will include Prayer Warriors, experienced team speakers and musicians of all styles of praise music

Group photo of community members at a donation event.

Minerva fundraiser provides thousands of meals through food bank

‘100 Bowls for Hunger’ raises $2,543 for local hunger relief

Columns and Opinion

Obituaries

Smiling woman with glasses in a casual indoor setting.

Connie J. Morris

Connie J. Morris, 69, of Minerva, passed away Monday, April 27, 2026, at Aultman Compassionate Care Center, surrounded by her family.

Sally A. Zarbaugh

Sally Ann Zarbaugh, age 65, of Scio, passed away Sunday, April 19, 2026 at Weirton Medical Center.

Close-up portrait of an elderly man with glasses.

Dale D. Matics, formerly of Amsterdam, passed away peacefully at Centreville Village in Carrollton on Monday evening, April 13, 2026. Dale was born Nov. 29, 1935, the eldest son of Jarrett and Tillie (Peterson) Matics. Along with his parents, he was preceded in death by his siblings, Evelyn, Nancy and Larry.

School board candidates listed for Nov. 4 election across area districts

County highlights foster care shortage during proclamation

Council approves data center moratorium

Personnel contracts approved by Minerva Board of Education

Pesta and Allison reign as CHS prom queen and king

THE LATEST

BCC HOSA students qualify for international competition

Author speaks to Carrollton Rotary Club

Carroll County board reviews key reports and updates

County highlights foster care shortage during proclamation

Conotton Valley students receive youth achievement award

Carroll County board reviews key reports and updates

Conotton Valley students receive youth achievement award

Garden club visits Terra Depot nursery

Area teachers recognized at education ceremony

Candidates file for party central committees in Carroll County

Pregnancy center announces open house in Carroll County

Minerva Rotary prepares flags for 2026 postings

Malvern teams battle through challenging week

Carrollton teams post strong week across sports

Minerva teams battle through busy week

Warriors baseball bounces back after rare home loss

Malvern track excels at Lidderdale Invitational

Minerva track teams post strong finishes despite short-handed roster

Minerva baseball and softball deliver wild week

Sandy Valley School Board approves contracts for next school year

Carroll County voters to decide May primary

Williams donates $10,000 to Carroll County EMA for drone program

Supreme Court of Ohio visits Carrollton schools for off-site session

Malvern Council discusses park improvements, funding frustrations

Bowerston Council hears first reading of water surcharge increase

Carroll County grand jury returns 5 indictments

BCC HOSA students qualify for international competition

Malvern Historical Society seeks photos for 2027 calendar

Carrollton band to perform at state contest

Retired teachers hold first meeting of year

Carroll County recognizes nonagenarians during May observance

Waynesburg church to host National Day of Prayer

Minerva fundraiser provides thousands of meals through food bank

Weekly Blessing

You've touched his garment folds

Live on Purpose

Finding happiness and joy in everyday life

Looking Back

The Augusta Post Office was featured in 1996 as a family of postmasters

Pastor's Pen

Fight the good fight of faith

Life Lines

Reflections on aging from the bowling lanes

Drawing Laughter

Earth Day encounter offers a tenuous truce

Letter to the Editor

Coshocton Clean-up Day inspires community

Cooking with Karl

¡Cinco de Enchiritos!

Stories in a Snap

Walter: the story of an elegant man

OSU Extension Wayne Co.

Take control of your subscription spending

Connie J. Morris

Sally A. Zarbaugh

Dale D. Matics

Harold L. Howell

Paul L. Mills

Mary Alice Reed

Author speaks to Carrollton Rotary Club

Bell-Herron awards program set for May 6

Christian academy enrolling students for next year

Banners hung downtown to honor seniors

First responders stage mock crash at Carrollton High School

Pieces with Purpose to mark 10 years with open house

Suburban Garden Club to host plant, bake sale May 16

Edison High School unveils 2026 prom court

Carroll County recognizes foster families during Foster Care Month

Farmers discuss deer damage, permits at Farm Bureau Coffee Talk

Transportation history takes center stage in Magnolia

Carrollton Rotary Club hears about Grover Farms

Carroll County Arts Center plans 'What Would Jane Do?' art show