Newton Falls hires new city manager

Newton Falls has officially selected its new city manager during Wednesday night's council meeting.

Councilwoman at Large Julie Stimpert tells 21 News Council unanimously voted to hire Steven Wright as the new city manager.

Wright will fill the shoes of Michael Novotny, who served as interim city manager after Council unanimously voted to remove former city manager Pamela Priddy back in January of 2024.

Stimpert tells 21 News Wright was among three other candidates narrowed down for the job including James Widowfield, Warren Price and Michael Brillhart.

Stimpert says Wright was selected from these candidates due to his extensive resume listing previous leadership positions in Ohio and Virginia, as well as distinguished awards he had received like the Julian F. Hirst Award in Distinction of Public Service.

Wright's salary has been set at $95,000 a year.