Mercer Man Avoids Explosives Charges in Ohio
Niles, OH – A Trumbull County Grand Jury did not indict 46-year-old John Podleyton of Mercer on explosives charges. He was, however, indicted for carrying a concealed weapon without a permit. Podleyton will be arraigned next Wednesday; he was arrested in September after the Niles Police Department found black powder explosives in his car during a traffic stop at the Eastwood Mall. He has maintained during each court appearance that the powder was for hobby use and that he did not threaten or intend harm to anyone.

Dead Candidate Still Electable in Erie County
Erie – In Erie County, a dead candidate will remain on the ballot during next Tuesday’s election. The Republican candidate for Erie County Council, Renee Vendetti, died from complications due to pancreatic cancer on October 11th. Erie County Clerk Karen Chilcott confirmed that the board of elections had already printed and certified the 2025 ballots by the time of her death. With no time to print new ballots or select a new candidate, she will remain on the ballot. According to Erie County’s procedure, if Renee wins the race, the council will select the new member themselves.
This is an uncommon situation, but not unknown. In 2022, a U.S. Rep. for Pennsylvania named Tony Deluca died in October, but still won his district; a special election was held to find his replacement. Election Day is next Tuesday, November 4th.