YOUNGSTOWN, Ohio (MyValleyTributes) – Joseph J. Milano, age 63, of Youngstown, Ohio, passed away peacefully on Wednesday, June 10, 2026, surrounded by loved ones.

Born on May 15, 1963 in Sharon, Pennsylvania, Joe lived a life marked by love, dedication, and kindness.

He was a devoted husband/father/grandfather/uncle/friend whose greatest joy came from spending time with family and supporting those he loved. Joe had a lot of amazing qualities, he was selfless, caring, loyal, and relentless, he never had a problem with putting other people’s needs before his own. His work ethic carried into retirement where he picked up new hobbies like whittling. He will be remembered by his wisdom, guidance, respectful, and humble spirit.

He is survived by his wife Jennifer Milano (Weingart), his two sons Joesph and Nicholas Milano, his sister Patricia Ivan (John), his Aunt Jean Morgan, his nephews Colton and Logan Ivan, and his grandson Asher Milano.

He was preceded in death by Joseph Milano (father) Dororthy Kilgore (mother) Walt Kilgore (uncle) Joe will be remembered for his wisdom, guidance, and unwavering support. His respectful and humble spirit earned the admiration of family, friends, and all who had the privilege of knowing him. He led by example, showing kindness, integrity, and perseverance in both words and actions. The lessons he shared and the love he gave will continue to live in the hearts of those he leaves behind.

The service will be held at 11:00 a.m. Wednesday, June 17 at St Christines 3165 S Schenley Ave, Youngstown, OH 44511 “A jack of all trades is a master of none, but oftentimes better than a master of one.” He will be deeply missed and lovingly remembered.

Arrangements are being handled by the Vaschak-Kirila Funeral Home.

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Joseph, please visit our floral store.

A television tribute will air Tuesday, June 16 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.

The first mosquito pool of the year carrying West Nile virus has been confirmed in Brown County, the South Dakota Department of Health reported Monday.

The department urged residents to take steps to protect themselves and their families from the virus, which can cause fever, headaches, rash, swollen lymph nodes and achy muscles and joints, and in worst cases, death.

MILWAUKEE – The Wisconsin primary is less than two months away, and Democrats still have a large field of seven candidates running for governor.

Rodriguez leads straw poll

By the numbers:

A new straw poll is giving some early insight into the race.

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The WisPolitics straw poll was held at the Wisconsin Democratic Convention in Madison, which was attended by Democratic Party insiders and activists. Just shy of 600 delegates and guests voted.

The poll found Lt. Gov. Sara Rodriguez in first place with 27%. State Rep. Francesca Hong of Madison finished second with 23%, followed by state Sen. Kelda Roys of Madison with 19%.

Milwaukee County Executive David Crowley received 13%. All other candidates received single digits, and former Lt. Gov. Mandela Barnes finished sixth.

Strategists urge caution

What they’re saying:

In 2018, the WisPolitics straw poll did not pick now-Gov. Tony Evers. Evers went on to win the Democratic primary.

“Smart candidates are always reassessing and assessing the world. I have been on gubernatorial campaigns, and they always view state conventions as a really key marker in time,” Democratic strategist Joe Zepecki said.

Zepecki said the convention crowd is not necessarily representative of the broader electorate.

“I think when you look at the insider opinions about this race. The 1,000 people or so who make up the backbone of the Democratic Party, who knock on the doors, who staff those county party offices, they’re not representative of the broader public, and one of the ways they’re least representative is how much news and information and time they spend thinking about good campaigns, bad campaigns, what campaign is up, what campaign is down, and so I think there are quite a few people out of the 1,000 who voted in the straw poll, who would have done things differently in 2022,” he said. “I don’t think that means that the half a million people who vote in the primary in August are really thinking about 2022. Voters in this primary are thinking about why can’t I afford to vote, why are my utility bills and my gas bills so high, Washington isn’t doing anything for us. Can we look to a state leadership to do something that’s ultimately what this election is going to be about.”

Political strategists said the straw poll numbers should not be overinterpreted.

“The folks who go to your Democratic or Republican State convention are your most engaged, most informed, most active voters out there,” Republican strategist Mark Graul said. “They don’t represent how most people view politics. Most Wisconsinites weren’t at either Republican or Democratic state conventions.”

Candidates face August primary

Dig deeper:

The convention is seen as an important testing ground and a chance for candidates to break through with party insiders.

MADISON, WISCONSIN – JUNE 14: Governor candidate Sara Rodriguez speaks on stage during Wisconsin Democrats 2026 Convention on June 14, 2026 in Madison, Wisconsin. (Photo by Daniel Boczarski/Getty Images for WisDems)

“Straw polls are really interesting for insiders, and we have to take them with a grain of salt. Sarah Rodriguez, a Waukesha Democrat, going into Madison, home of two of her other candidates, Kelda Roys and Fran Hong, and winning. That’s a nice feather for her cap,” Zepecki said. “She clearly is building a statewide coalition.”

As for whether it is time for the other candidates to drop out, Zepecki said not yet.

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“I don’t think so,” he said. “I think that day is fast approaching, where some of these candidates need to take a long hard look in the mirror and determine whether there’s actually a path or if the role they have to play is to help make one of those leading three candidates the nominee.

Mordecai Lee, a University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee professor emeritus, said candidates can be reluctant to accept difficult realities in a campaign.

“As you could imagine, political candidates have big egos. They don’t like reality checks,” Lee said. “They always in their minds see some fantasy result of how they pull it out of nowhere, and they win.”

Could the field shrink?

Big picture view:

Lee said some candidates may eventually decide dropping out is better than risking a poor showing.

“Sooner or later, somebody’s going to say: I want to protect my standing, I don’t want to go all the way into the primary and get wiped out with 2% of the vote and then I’ll never have a political future,” he said. “Maybe it’s better that instead of staying in, I drop out.”

The state party does not endorse a candidate. Still, the straw poll could give some momentum to Rodriguez as the race continues.