Ohio
Dr. Katelyn M. Williams, Negley, Ohio
NEGLEY, Ohio (MyValleyTributes) – Dr. Katelyn M. Williams, age 26, of Negley—our beloved daughter, granddaughter, fiancée and sister—passed away on Saturday, April 25, 2026, as the result of a tragic auto accident on Rt. 170. Her sudden passing has left a heartbreak that words can hardly touch.
Beautiful in both spirit and smile, “Katie” was the second oldest child of Patrick “Rick” and Kelly McCauley Williams of Negley, Ohio. She graduated from Beaver Local, Class of 2017, where she was a friend to many, sang in the choir and was a member of the girls’ golf team. She went on to earn her bachelor’s degree in biology from Youngstown State University in 2021 and following in her mother’s footsteps, attended Northeast Ohio Medical University, graduating with her PharmD in 2025.
Katie was an extraordinary young woman—driven, compassionate and deeply faithful. She was nearly finished with her one-year pharmacy residency at Aultman Community Hospital in Alliance and had just signed a three-year contract to serve as a clinical pharmacist with One Health Ohio in Youngstown. Even with a full schedule, Katie poured herself into others: she sang with the Praise Team and taught Sunday School at Point of Mercy Sanctuary. Her voice was absolutely gorgeous and when she sang for the Lord, it could move you to tears. Katie also loved bringing people together, often arranging youth get-togethers at her parents’ home, or at church on an occasional Friday or Saturday night.
Katie was engaged to be married on June 27th to Dustin Lane of Wellsville. She loved him dearly and spent much of her spare time at his home making plans for their big day – dreaming, laughing and building a future together. Katie was the kind of person who made the world feel gentler. She was truly one of the sweetest souls you could ever meet. She rarely had a negative word to say about anyone and she seemed to find something good in every person she met.
In addition to her parents, Katie is lovingly remembered by her three siblings, Garrett Williams and his wife, Cassandra, of Boardman, Blake Williams,and Emmalee Williams, both at home. She is also survived by her grandmothers, Patricia Williams of Lisbon and Marjorie McCauley of Negley; as well as her many aunts, uncles, cousins, nieces and nephews, who will miss her more than can be expressed.
Katie was preceded in death by her grandfathers, Gary McCauley and Gary Williams.
Friends may visit on Thursday, April 30, 2026, at the Dawson Funeral Home, where the family will be present from 5:00 – 8:00 p.m. Pastor Stephen Waddell of the church will conduct a funeral service at 12:00 p.m. on Friday, May 1, 2026, at the funeral home, where friends may visit two hours prior to the service. Burial will be at Columbiana County Memorial Park.
Following the service, friends and family will gather at the Point of Mercy Sanctuary for fellowship.
Arrangements of comfort are being made by Dawson Funeral Home.
To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Katelyn, please visit our floral store.
A television tribute will air Tuesday, April 28, at the following approximate times: 7:10 a.m. on FOX, 12:22 p.m. on WKBN, 5:08 p.m. on MyYTV and 7:27 p.m. on WYTV. Video will be posted here the day of airing.
Ohio
NECIC to host community visioning session for Mansfield’s north end in partnership with Heritage Ohio
MANSFIELD — The North End Community Improvement Collaborative, Inc. (NECIC) will host a Community Visioning Session in partnership with Heritage Ohio, Inc. on Tuesday, July 28 at 6 p.m. at the United Steelworkers Hall, located at 376 West Longview Avenue in Mansfield.
The public is invited to attend and share input on the future of Mansfield’s North End, with a focus on strengthening neighborhood revitalization efforts and identifying opportunities for continued growth and investment.
The session is part of an upcoming visit from Heritage Ohio’s Downtown Assessment Resource Team, also known as D.A.R.T. The visit is designed to help communities explore next steps for revitalization and introduce the key building blocks of a successful long term revitalization effort: organization, promotion, design, and economic vitality.
NECIC reached out to Heritage Ohio as part of its ongoing work to support revitalization in the North End, especially near the corner of Springmill Street and Bowman Street, where NECIC has been focusing recent revitalization efforts.
Since joining the organization in early 2025, NECIC President & CEO Matthew Benko- Scruggs has placed a strong focus on revitalization near the corner of Springmill Street and Bowman Street.
This work has included the organization’s move back into the neighborhood, continued investment in the area, and community centered efforts such as the Springmill Spring Cleanup event.
During the Community Visioning Session, residents, business owners, stakeholders, and other community members will have the opportunity to learn more about Heritage Ohio, the revitalization process, and ways they can help shape the future of the North End.
“We want this process to be rooted in the voices of the people who live, work, and invest in the North End,” said Benko-Scruggs. “This session is an opportunity for the community to share ideas and help guide what revitalization can look like in our neighborhood.”
Heritage Ohio, Inc. is a statewide nonprofit organization that supports the development, redevelopment, and improvement of downtowns and neighborhood districts throughout Ohio through technical assistance, training, networking, and advocacy.
Community members are encouraged to attend and take part in the conversation.
For more information, contact Director of Community Organizing Emily Schwan at 419-
522-1611, ext. 109 or Emily@necic-ohio.org.
A grand jury in Franklin County, Ohio, indicted nine people suspected of being involved in a human trafficking ring, officials said.
Ohio Attorney General Andy Wilson said in a news release on Monday that the nine people were indicted on a combined 42 felony charges in connection with the human trafficking investigation. Marcus Gant, Magon Smith, Raymond Valentine, Aimee Fabin, John W. Gibson II, Malik Jackson, Kayla Wheeler, Jeremy Lindsey, and Mackenzie Fitzpatrick face a variety of charges, including engaging in a pattern of corrupt activity. All nine are in custody.
The news release said they are accused of using narcotics to coerce women into commercial sex work at the Econo Lodge on North Wilson Road. The suspects then laundered money through Valentine Floral on Eakin Road, officials said. The alleged crimes took place between April 2025 and January 2026.
Some of those charged face trafficking in persons, compelling prostitution and promoting prostitution charges. Of the nine, Gant faces the most charges. The 37-year-old from Columbus faces 11 different counts related to the human trafficking investigation.
The Central Ohio Human Trafficking Task Force led that investigation, the news release added.
According to Monday’s news release, the Franklin County Prosecutor’s Office has taken previous legal action against the Econo Lodge. Officials said a lawsuit was filed earlier this year against the owner of a hotel, who was accused of “neglecting to address repeated drug and violent activity on the property.” A settlement was reached.
People can report human trafficking in Ohio by calling 844-END-OHHT, texting “ENDOHHT” to 847411, downloading the END OHHT app or submitting information online.
Matt Hardigree
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