Good morning, Youngstown.

Elementary students at Taft Elementary School in Youngstown collected individually wrapped snacks + handwritten notes for the Rescue Mission of Mahoning Valley during a special class project that taught kindness and community service.

Mission Ambassador Crystal Eckman and teacher Diana Gatszegi praised the students' efforts.

Youngstown’s largest annual event, the Hope Conference, was held Thursday at the Covelli Centre.

Hundreds attended as more than 150 organizations offered legal aid, health screenings, affordable clothing, food, and haircuts to support local wellness.

7/17 Credit Union hosts Scrappers Fest at Eastwood Mall Monday, June 1 to kick off the Mahoning Valley Scrappers season; the free event offers bounce houses, face painting, local food and pre-registration for a season opener ticket against the State College Spikes on Tuesday, June 2.

On Thursday, 30 local women were honored at an award dinner in Canfield where awards celebrated leadership, community service and mentoring; Gina Govojdean was named the 2026 ATHENA Award winner for her work at Howmet Aerospace advancing STEM and industry progress.

Ashore Manufacturing Group in Berlin Center has completed its acquisition of Concept-4, a precision machine shop with deep Mahoning Valley roots, keeping all staff as it moves toward modernization.

The new management plans to work with local partners (including Youngstown State University and technical centers) to boost regional manufacturing.

On Wednesday evening, the annual EveryBODY Fashion Show at Eastwood Event Centre in Niles featured 100 models (ages 1–75) who promoted body positivity and raised funds for eating disorder treatment.

Organizers highlighted that true beauty comes from the heart.

Three projects in the Mahoning Valley received over $2.6 million from Ohio’s Brownfield Remediation Program to clean up contaminated sites.

The grants support cleanup at the YMCA of Youngstown, a former fitness center in Warren, and a property in Columbiana, advancing work such as asbestos abatement, housing, and job creation.

Canfield Local School District held a presentation Thursday to review its current deficit spending and potential $3.1 million annual cuts to programs and staffing.

Community members and officials urged upcoming levy renewals to secure needed funding if new money is not brought in.

YSU officials have dismissed recent rumors of a planned closure, calling the claims politically motivated misinformation (they stress that classes will continue as scheduled).

Drivers in Youngstown must follow revised traffic routes due to Wick Avenue construction led by ODOT.

Starting Sunday, May 17 at 6 p.m., Bryson Street reconfigures traffic (one-way north from Westbound Service Road to Madison Avenue and one-way south from Madison Avenue to Westbound Service Road) until the work ends by late August.

A watchdog report tracked opioid settlement money across local and county agencies on May 14.

The investigation will analyze how the funds were allocated to support community services.

Sebastian, a dog found behind a residence on Jackson Street in Warren, is receiving treatment at Healthy Hearts and Paws Project (909 Martin Luther King Blvd SW) after being discovered emaciated, dehydrated and with a large hematoma on one ear, and it remains unclear if he will survive.

Donnie Iris & The Cruisers Concert

7-10:30 p.m. — Robins Theatre — Ticket prices vary — Enjoy an evening of classic rock with Donnie Iris and special guest drummers Joe Vitale and Joe Vitale Jr.

Free Concert with Michael W. Smith

1 PM — Newport Glen Apartments — Free entry — Enjoy an afternoon of uplifting music in a friendly community setting.

Midday Cabaret Featuring Stan Miller

1-11:59 p.m. — Columbiana Arts Theater — $18 — Enjoy a soulful afternoon of smooth jazz and timeless classics with Stan Miller's enchanting performance.

Scrapper Fest 2026

6-8 p.m. — Eastwood Mall Complex Center Court — Free RSVP — Celebrate the start of the season with player meet-and-greets, family fun, and a chance to win great prizes.