Ohio
Ohio town launching treasure hunt for $10K worth of gold, jewelry
Tom Colosimo came up with a wacky idea to try to bring more people into Newton Falls and help struggling local businesses: create a treasure hunt with real treasure.
Inspired by the legacy of Forrest Fenn and his nationwide treasure hunt — more on him in a minute — Colosimo hopes to give away $10,000 worth of gold, silver, jewelry and cash.
Whoever finds the treasure, keeps it.
“I thought I could do something on a smaller scale for Newton Falls to bring a ton of people here … so I was playing off (Fenn’s) idea of a treasure chest of a million dollars,” said Colosimo, 53, who owns Fieldview Acres Mercantile in the small Trumbull County city.
The Newton Falls Treasure Hunt is expected to kick off in March.
As of Feb. 4, Colosimo said he’s gathered $7,000 in gold, silver, jewelry and cash, with a goal of having $10,000 worth of treasure. He’s looking for sponsors to help.
The Sarchione Chevrolet dealership in Garrettsville donated a 2026 PCGS MS70 Gold Eagle – First Strike, valued at over $5,000. Hometown Hound in Newton Falls donated a $1,000 in rare silver coins. Colosimo said he donated more than $1,000 in silver coins and jewelry.
“Everybody seems excited,” Colosimo said. “I wish somebody else was doing it so I could do it.”
Who inspired the Newton Falls Treasure Hunt?
Colosimo drew inspiration from Fenn, a New Mexico art dealer who hid a chest full of gold, jewels and valuables worth an estimated $1 million to $2 million in 2010. After hiding the chest, Fenn leaked clues. But it took more than a decade for someone to find the treasure.
The search — which has since inspired other nationwide hunts — resulted in some people being injured and even dying.
Colosimo doesn’t want anyone hurt during this hunt, which also coincides with the America250 celebration.
“Less risky,” he said. “Everything is going to be out in the open and the public areas. No trespassing. No going into water, climbing stuff or anything like that.”
Just like Fenn, Colosimo plans to provide clues in riddles and poems. He hopes the treasure will be found before the Fourth of July, meaning people spend plenty of time in Newton Falls and visit the local businesses.
And what if someone stumbles across the treasure on the first day?
“There’s no way,” he said, adding that he doesn’t think searchers will be able to decipher the clues to pinpoint the location that quickly.
Treasure hunt’s goal is to promote Newton Falls
Colosimo is releasing details about the hunt on the Facebook page for Fieldview Acres Mercantile. He said he will notify people when the hunt is over.
As for the actual treasure, it won’t be hidden. Colosimo has decided to hide a key to safeguard someone taking the gold, silver, jewelry and cash without letting anyone know.
No one but Colosimo will know where the key is hidden.
“My wife won’t even know,” he said.
The person who finds the key — which hasn’t been hidden yet — will have to return it to Colosimo to collect.
The ultimate goal, he said, is to promote the town and provide a boost for small businesses that are struggling.
Newton Falls is a beautiful community, he said, with two waterfalls, and the downtown, covered bridge and U.S.O. building on the National Register of Historic Places.
“We have a lot to offer. But we just got to figure out a way to get people here,” he said. “And I’m hoping if this goes well, we can do this every year.”
Paul McEwuen, general manager at Sarchione in Garrettsville, which is nearby, said buzz about the treasure hunt is growing and the dealership is excited to participate, especially because Colosimo has tied it to the America250 celebration.
“We’re excited to help bring everyone to the community and show them what Garrettsville and Newton Falls are all about,” he said.
COLUMBUS, Ohio (AP) — Ohio’s law requiring children under 16 to get parental consent to use social media apps must be restored, a divided panel of the Sixth Circuit Court of Appeals ruled Thursday.
The decision comes as a blow to NetChoice, which has won court victories against identical digital identification laws in other states, including Arkansas, Louisiana and Georgia. The trade group representing TikTok, Snapchat, Meta and other major tech companies said the Ohio decision went against “clear national consensus” and that it intended to keep fighting.
“An unconstitutional law protects no one, and we remain focused on ensuring the First Amendment rights of Ohioans are protected,” said Paul Taske, director of the NetChoice Litigation Center.
Netchoice brought suit against Ohio’s law in 2024, arguing that it was overly broad, vague and represented an unconstitutional impediment to free speech.
The Cincinnati-based Sixth Circuit’s panel disagreed. In a 2-1 decision, it found that the law was not unconstitutional and sent it back to a lower court to have a block on the law’s enforcement vacated.
“At bottom, the Act imposes a parental consent requirement,” Judge Eric Clay wrote in the lead opinion. “That requirement constitutes a marginal burden that precisely targets the multi-faceted problem that Ohio has identified: Children’s unsupervised assent to terms and conditions for use of platforms that take advantage of and harm them.”
Judge Alice Batchelder concurred, writing that “a statute is not vague just because it has a wide berth.”
Known as the Social Media Parental Notification Act, the Ohio law was part of an $86.1 billion state budget bill that Republican Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine signed into law in July 2023.
The administration pushed the measure as a way to protect children’s mental health, with then-Lt. Gov. Jon Husted, now a U.S. senator, saying at the time that social media was “intentionally addictive” and harmful to kids.
The law requires companies to get parental permission for social media and gaming apps and to provide their privacy guidelines so families know what content would be censored or moderated on their child’s profile.
Republican Ohio Attorney General Andy Wilson called Thursday’s ruling “a win for Ohio families.”
“The court agreed that parents –- not social media companies –- should get a say in what kids see online,” he said in a statement. “We have an obligation to keep our children safe, and today, the most dangerous place for our kids is the internet. This decision gives parents the tools to be involved and provide oversight.”
Piketon, Ohio (WSAZ) – Folks in southern Ohio are waking up to power outages and road closures.
Route 32 in Pike County is down to one westbound and one eastbound lane due to debris on the roadway.
Drivers are also dealing with tree limbs on roadways.
The Athens County 911 dispatcher told WSAZ that it’s not believed a tornado touched down, but there is storm damage.
The dispatcher said storm damage from flooding and trees being knocked down has affected US 50.
Power outages are being reported in Athens, Pike, Vinton, Scioto and Meigs Counties and even as far south as Boyd County, Ky.
If you’re in a tornado warning area, you’re urged to get to the lower part of your home.
Keep checking the WSAZ app for the latest.
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YOUNGSTOWN, Ohio (MyValleyTributes) – Clarence Burley, II, affectionately known as “Lil Man,” entered eternal rest on Thursday, June 5, 2026, at the age of 60, at Summa Health Akron City Hospital in Akron, Ohio.
Born on May 22, 1966, in Youngstown, Ohio, Clarence was the beloved son of Clarence L. Burley and Jacqueline Wilkinson-Burley.
He attended Ursuline High School and graduated with the Class of 1984.
Clarence was a hardworking and dedicated man who spent many years employed at Classic Optical Corporation as a Lens and Frame Specialist. Known for his skill and precision, he was recognized as one of the top lens shapers during his tenure with the company. He also worked for Goodwill Industries, where his exceptional work ethic earned him recognition and awards for outstanding service.
A devoted fan of the Oakland Raiders, Clarence enjoyed football, boxing, roller skating, and bowling. In his younger years, he was also an accomplished swimmer. He loved life and cherished spending time with family and friends. Whether enjoying a cruise vacation, visiting the lake to admire the water, debating sports statistics from A to Z, or simply sharing laughter with loved ones, Clarence brought joy wherever he went.
Known for his impeccable style, Clarence was often dressed to perfection. He was especially proud of his many Cadillacs, but none more than his beloved Cadillac Seville, affectionately known as “the baby caddy.” He could often be found cruising through the city, listening to music and enjoying the ride. His infectious smile, strength, humor, and generous spirit will forever be remembered by those who knew and loved him.
In 1999, Clarence met the love of his life, the former Cathy Winphrie. Their friendship blossomed into a lasting bond, and they were united in holy matrimony in 2015. Together they shared a life filled with love, companionship, and cherished memories.
Clarence leaves to cherish his memory his loving wife, Cathy Burley; his children, Shannie (Meisha) Burley of Atlanta, Georgia; DeShawn Burley (fiancée Ziah) of Warren, Ohio; Eddie W. Matthews; and Montell Cochrane; his beloved grandchildren, Zaira, DeShawn, Jr., Deondra, Audrionna, Eddie, Jr., Quiara, Azel, Anyia, Marquel, Aiden, Adalese, Meadow, and Amatureas; five great-grandchildren; his mother-in-law, Eula Winphrie; brothers-in-law, James (Jamie) Winphrie and Timothy (Kori) Winphrie; sisters-in-law, Regina Winphrie and Azella Burley; niece Helleenia Winphrie; and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, relatives, and dear friends.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Clarence L. Burley and Jacqueline Wilkinson-Burley; his brother, Wesley Burley; and his grandmother, Carrie Davis.
Though Clarence’s earthly journey has ended, his legacy lives on through the lives he touched, the family he loved, and the countless memories he leaves behind. His strength, perseverance, laughter, and love will continue to inspire all who were blessed to know him.
“To be absent from the body is to be present with the Lord.”2 Corinthians 5:8
A homegoing celebration will be held 10:00 a.m. Saturday June 20, 2026 at Jerusalem Baptist Church , a visitation with the family will be 9:00 – 10:00 a.m. at the Church.
Arrangements have been entrusted to Gregory-Martin Funeral Home. For additional information, please call (330) 743-4098.
To send flowers or plant a memorial tree in memory, please visit our flower store.
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